Merissa

Music is my passion. I live for nights in a small dimly lit room packed to the brim full of sweaty bodies screaming lyrics back right into the faces of the musicians performing on stage. In a normal world, I would go to one, two, and sometimes three shows a week, either to support a friend’s band, photograph a performance, or to just discover new music. Stories are important to me - I’ve been writing short stories and poetry since elementary school! My love for words and the meaning behind them has influenced my love of music and drives my creative vision in photography as well. I tell stories with my photos through the emotions captured, the creative framing of the subject, and by putting the passion that I have for photography into each photograph I create. I have been a consistent contributor to Pancakes and Whiskey since 2014 and became the lead booking agent in 2019, allowing me to showcase the musicians I love in a monthly live concert series. I have also been a staff photographer with the SummerStage concert series in NYC since the 2012. Being surrounded by music is where I thrive - photo pits and sweaty singing crowds are my happy place.