Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikayla Mellis.
It’s kind of a long story, but it all comes full circle… From my earliest memories, I loved creating and learning new things. I was raised by the most supportive parents, who encouraged curiosity and outside-the-box thinking.
Growing up sports was a huge part of my identity—my family and I invested a lot of time and effort into my passion for playing lacrosse and field hockey. I was in love with the game and the feeling of being on a team. Of course, with any contact sport, you endure some bumps and bruises along the way (most of which you are taught to shake off and keep playing).
In 2016, as I entered high school, everything changed. A seemingly routine game left me with my fourth concussion —a blow I couldn’t simply shake off. Suddenly, the physical, emotional, and cognitive toll of traumatic brain injury became my new reality. Weeks turned into months, and despite a rigorous regimen of treatments—physical therapy, speech therapy, even surgery—my return to the field seemed increasingly unlikely.
Navigating high school is already a challenge as a teenager, but even more, while dealing with the physical impacts of my concussion and my own mental/social struggle to rediscover who I was. I didn’t have another hobby, like lacrosse, that I was as passionate about. All I knew in my life was sports, and I had no idea who I would be without it and what kind of future I would have.
Then came the moment that set my current path into motion. A teacher, who knew nothing about what I was going through, made a snide comment about students being lazy and not being involved in school activities. This sparked a fire within me. If you know me, you know I hate being told that I’m not strong or capable enough to do something. Determined to prove them wrong, I threw myself into every available opportunity.
Class president, team manager for three sports, yearbook editor-in-chief—I seized every opportunity that became available to me, reclaiming a sense of purpose and identity with each new endeavor. I became somebody again, a better version of myself. It was during my time as a team manager that my creative journey began. Asked to design a small graphic for an upcoming game, I discovered my love for graphic design and photography.
I fell in love with the artistic process and the ability to create. But, my journey didn’t stop there. As I continued to
throw myself into new things, I stumbled upon another calling: Speech Language Pathology. Inspired by the patience and kindness shown to me during my own recovery, I felt drawn to a career where I could make a difference in the lives of others.
Today, as I pursue my Masters in Speech-Language Pathology, I am reminded of the journey that brought me here. I hope to pay forward the kindness and compassion that was once extended to me and made me the person I am today. I have a new appreciation for the things I once cherished and a different perspective on life.
I went from a girl who was in love with the game to a girl who is now in love with capturing the game. I transformed from a girl who depended on a single aspect of herself to someone who now understands that one single passion doesn’t define your entirety. Embracing this realization, I’ve discovered the ability to find fulfillment in many things. I have become so much more than I ever thought I could be.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think anyone has a smooth journey. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and situations. Everyone
struggles in unique ways. I definitely had a bumpy ride. Was it easy? No. Could it have been worse? Yes. But, I wouldn’t change a thing that happened to me. I believe the best people are made from the toughest situations.
The strongest people are defined when they go through challenges that they never anticipated. I think you experience more of life that way. Obviously, you can’t tell my whole story just by looking at me. In the same way, I can’t assume what the person next to me has gone through. That’s why it is so important to have these open conversations. I’m grateful for the opportunity today to have a platform to share my story.
I learned from an early age how to deal with life when it doesn’t go how it’s expected. And a lot of people don’t get exposure to that until later in life. I’m fortunate enough to have had these experiences early, allowing me to face things head-on and not let them define me.
While it was difficult, I’m grateful for what I went through and the person I am today because of it. Life isn’t going to wait for you to get back on your feet, so you can sit and wallow in the ‘what ifs’ and miss out on what life has to offer or you can move forward and find the ‘what nows’ and find the next best thing. It’s out there for you, you just have to want to find it.
For me, everything happens for a reason and you have to trust that even though it might be a crappy situation, it’s for a greater purpose and something even better is waiting for you. I believe everything in my life today wouldn’t be the way it is if I hadn’t gotten hurt. I wouldn’t be the same person. I wouldn’t be interviewing right now and spreading my story to others. I wouldn’t even have a story to share, I’d just be a girl who once played lacrosse.
On the other side of it- while finding this new normal and expanding my love for creation has been amazing, it has definitely had it’s own struggles. These days it’s easy to get lost in competition and comparison. For a long time, I struggled with imposter syndrome- I still do. I would see other people’s work and say “I’ll never be as good as them” but, I’ve realized that’s all a mindset. I think when accompanied by the right mindset, comparison can be a great source of inspiration and learning.
When you admire someone’s work, rather than judge your own work and feel deflated, learn from it and put your own personalized twist on it so you can grow and develop your own style. It’s taken me a lot of time to realize my own worth and abilities. I used to undercharge and overdeliver, just because I felt like I had to earn my right to hold a camera.
I believe now that just because you are self-taught doesn’t mean you aren’t as qualified, capable, or as talented as the next person. Have confidence in yourself and your abilities.
No matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement, so keep fighting for it and never stop working hard.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am now in grad school at Towson University for Speech Language Pathology and I am running my own business in Baltimore, Mikayla Mellis Photography as a freelance photographer, videographer, & graphic artist. For the past 4 years, I have been the social media director/graphic artist & photographer/content creator for the Baltimore Blast, a professional indoor soccer team.
This experience has changed my life and provided me with so many opportunities, allowing me to expand my love for creating. I have grown tremendously as a person and artist since accepting this position.
When I’m behind the camera, it’s like the world falls silent, giving me a unique perspective that feels like a superpower. Capturing life’s moments and magnifying emotion is a powerful gift—one that I am deeply grateful for the chance
to share with others. I fell in love with the ability to completely capture memories in time (especially, the little moments when no one thinks you are watching). The most fulfilling part of my work as a photographer is the ability to capture genuine human emotion and connection, all in a single snap.
My philosophy as the person behind the camera is to help people see what I see through my lens. I want to help people slow down time and see the beauty in life and in the people around them. I hope to make people feel confident and give them their own shining moment that everyone deserves.
I specialize in portrait, sports, product, and event photography/videography! I am always trying something new and always up for a challenge!
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
My mom has always said I have a “magnetic personality.” I’ve always loved people—meeting them, listening to their stories, and forming connections. I like to think of myself just as someone who values genuine human interaction and kindness. I believe the best part of life is connecting with others, even if it’s just through a simple smile.
Looking back on my childhood, it’s clear that my current path was set early on. I was that kid always snapping photos or recording videos, even when I probably should’ve been fully present in the moment. While I’m sure some of my peers probably found it strange, to me, capturing those moments meant preserving happiness for others to relive later, even if it meant sacrificing living in the moment myself.
It seems like photography was always meant to be my calling, whether I was making amateur music videos in my basement or aimlessly snapping shots of things around my neighborhood. My journey started small with capturing moments at family gatherings. As I delved into yearbook, I explored a wider variety of photographic scenarios—from candid student interactions to team photos and sports action shots.
Since then, my passion for photography has continued to blossom, molding me into the professional I am today. I have an extremely strong work ethic, that I attribute to my family. I was taught from a young age the value of hard work. Always take pride in your work and strive to go the extra mile to get the job done and help as many people as you can.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photosbymikmellis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PHOTOSBYMIKMELLIS/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaylamellis/
- Website: https://mikmellisphotography.wixsite.com/photos
- Other: https://gondola.cc/mikmellis
