Portrait of Melodie McDaniel by Len Peltier

“I strive to be authentic, compassionate and empathic in all of my projects.” explains Melodie McDaniel, ArtCenter Photography and Imaging Alumna (BFA 91).

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, and raised in Los Angeles, McDaniel sees a common thread in all of her work. “I try to capture the ultimate expression of the idea behind each project,” she says. She’s photographed for magazines that include Rolling Stone, Vogue Hommes and Time. She traveled to Rwanda and Ethiopia to photograph girls for the Nike Foundation nonprofit Girl Effect. She’s directed commercials for companies such as Nike, Miller Genuine Draft and Facebook, and music videos for artists like Madonna.

After ArtCenter, McDaniel started out creating photos for album artwork and music editorials for bands and artists, including Patti Smith, R.E.M. and Pharrell Williams. To date, she’s created more than 200 advertising campaigns, including a PSA for Nike featuring Michael Jordan, and campaigns for Chrysler and Levi’s. Her film work includes directing a short film for Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), a nonprofit that provides after-school programs to underserved youth.

She is a featured artist in ArtCenter’s Dot Magazine. One of McDaniel’s current projects include a series of black-and-white portraits and candid photos of the after-school equestrian program Compton Jr. Posse (CJP). CPJ is an alternative for youth to gangs and violence, founded by now-retired Mayisha Akbar at her ranch in Richland Farms—a rural area of Compton.