Meet Mél Dos Santos

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mél Dos Santos. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mél below.

Mél, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Finding my purpose didn’t come easily, especially growing up in an environment where art wasn’t seen as a real career path. At 16, while my friends were planning careers in medicine, law, and science, I felt lost. One day, sitting on the kitchen stairs watching my mom cook, I shared my worries. She told me something that’s stayed with me ever since: “Imagine yourself in 10 years. Do you want to wake up dreading another day, or excited to start?” In that moment, I knew photography was my path—it was the one thing that made me feel genuinely excited.

This journey taught me that true purpose is about finding something that resonates deeply, even when it defies conventional expectations. When I started, I was driven by a desire to wake up each day feeling inspired and connected to my work. Photography felt like that path—a way for me to express my vision and create something meaningful.

Now, with a decade of experience, I’ve come to realize that purpose isn’t just about the job title or field we choose. It’s about why we do it. Purpose is defined by the impact we want to create and what we bring to others through our work. For me, this purpose is about bringing joy, enhancing beauty, and inspiring self-confidence in others. Even if my career evolves beyond photography, my purpose will remain rooted in these values—becoming a better human being and sharing that growth and positivity with the world.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a 29-year-old Portuguese born in France, and I’ve spent my life weaving between different places, collecting stories and experiences that have shaped me. Growing up in Portugal, I lived in three different cities, finally landing in Lisbon to study Photography and Visual Culture. My time there led to a few early highlights, like hosting an exhibition in a gallery and earning an award for Best Street Photography.

Then came a life-changing period in Mexico. I spent almost two years working on humanitarian projects—helping build hospitals, planting trees, contributing to healthcare initiatives, and traveling to remote areas to document people’s stories. Along the way, I had the chance to photograph for three books; two of them were nominated by UNESCO in the “Best in the World” category. That journey taught me so much about purpose and connection, and it also opened doors to work with some incredible clients, from Formula 1 and Mercedes to Google.

After COVID, I found myself back in Europe, taking on a photography studio and store in the heart of Geneva. Geneva was a special chapter, where I also shared my work in local exhibitions.
Later, New York City drew me in as a freelancer, where I collaborated with talented creatives in the film industry, constantly learning and challenging my artistic direction.

Now, I feel like I’m on the edge of something new. I want to take everything I’ve learned about capturing beauty and storytelling and apply it to luxury event design, interior decoration, and scenography. I’m excited by the idea of creating spaces that make people feel something profound, designing moments that are unforgettable. It’s about taking my sensibility for beauty and turning it into an experience for others—giving them joy, confidence, and memories that stay with them. And I know that a place like New York could be the perfect canvas to make this dream real.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1: Embracing Uniqueness with Responsibility: I’ve learned that our differences and unique perspectives aren’t there by accident. They’re gifts meant to challenge us to think bigger, to create meaning, and to impact the world in our own way. Recognizing that my distinct vision is something to nurture—not hide—has given me a deeper sense of responsibility to bring beauty and purpose into everything I do. For anyone starting out, remember that your uniqueness isn’t a flaw; it’s a strength. Lean into it, and let it guide you toward something extraordinary.

2: Accepting Imperfection as Part of the Process: As an artist, one of the hardest things to accept is that your work will never be perfect—and that’s okay. It’s the act of creating and sharing, even in its imperfections, that makes it valuable and authentic. This is where self-acceptance comes in; understanding that, even if what you create sometimes resembles others, it will never truly be the same because it came from you. For those just starting, I’d say don’t wait for the “perfect” version. Trust that what you create today is enough and that it will evolve as you do.

3: Not Fearing Those Who Have “Made It”: It’s easy to feel intimidated by people who seem to have “arrived,” but I’ve learned that everyone started somewhere, and everyone had their own fears to overcome. Those people were once in the same place, wondering if they’d ever make it. So don’t fear or idolize them; learn from them, respect their journey, but always trust your own path. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not a straight line—it’s about embracing the process with humility and resilience.

For anyone starting out, my advice is a cliche but quit simple : trust in your journey, embrace your individuality, and stay humble and open to growth. It’s a lifelong process, and each step forward is meaningful.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me—though it’s a story with both pain and blessing—was the extraordinary sacrifice my mother made. My father left us when i was younger, but my mother’s love was profound and unwavering. As a single mom of three daughters, she faced incredibly tough moments, but she made it her mission for us to be genuinely happy in whatever path we chose.

When I told her I wanted to pursue photography, she didn’t just support my dream—she made it possible. Since my university in Portugal was so expensive, she left her home and family, moving to another country to work and save so that I could study my passion. She literally left behind her own life to help me build mine, and that’s an act of love I can never truly repay. It taught me what real dedication and sacrifice look like and showed me the kind of parent I want to be someday.

She planted the seed of my dream, nurturing it until it became a part of me. Even if she’s no longer physically beside me in every step, her love and sacrifice are forever woven into my journey. She taught me not only to see the beauty in life but to pursue it relentlessly—and for that, I’m endlessly grateful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mel_etlesfleurs/