Melanie Cleary is a photographer based in Cape Town, with an impressive 20 years of professional expertise.She has worked on a range of large-scale commercial campaigns as well as intimate personal projects, always creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere to ensure she captures the best possible results for her clients. As a versatile freelance photographer within the film industry, Melanie has honed a distinctive skill set that enables her to capture stunning, narrative-driven images while collaborating closely with TVC productions. Her genuine passion for people is evident in every shot she takes, bringing an authentic and heartfelt quality to her work. In 2019, her critically acclaimed exhibition, The Hero Within, was honoured by being added to the prestigious permanent collection at LACMA in Los Angeles, marking a significant milestone in her career. She was recognised internationally when she won a fine art photography award for her evocative black-and-white portrait titled Piano Girl. “Her photography has a unique power to reveal the beauty found in simple things, as well as to explore the intricate complexity of human nature.”
Commercial clients: Phizer Pharma,Philips, Baqsimi Pharma, BP, Nutella, Tofiffee, Amason, Nestle, Coke, Mylan, OPPO, 7UP, Birds Eye, Persil, LG, Emirates, Always, Romerquelle, Mobil, Flora, Famous Footwear, Perrier
Movies: HOMELAND Season 4 , POPPIE NONGENA 2019 , History Channel, City of Violence, House Party,Strike Back
SOLO EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS
2019 Artwork included in LACMA's Permanent Collection, Los Angeles
2014 Another Day, Erdmann Contemporary, Cape Town
2014 Winner, Merit Award, International Fine Art Photography Competition
2013 The Trouble With Memory, Erdmann Contemporary, Cape Town
2013 Joburg Fringe Group Exhibition, Johannesburg
Head On Photography Festival, Sydney
2012 Melanie Cleary SOLO Exhibition, Gallery Cultural Speech, Amsterdam
2012 Conversations Group Exhibition, Queen Street Gallery, Sydney
2012 Finalist, Critical Mass
2012 Finalist, PDN Photo Annual New York
Winner, Open Award, South Africa
2011 Photo LA, Santa Monica, USA
