The Nitty Gritty - with Melanie Lionello

I discovered Mel and her Naturally Nutritious page on instagram a year or two ago and found myself so drawn to her stunning mouth-watering images.

Imagine how wonderful it was to find that she is also a lovely, generous person. I've so enjoyed following along with her journey. Do it, hit follow and check her out yourself.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Melanie and I am a Melbourne-based food creative and nutritionist, and I love red wine, zucchini, chocolate eclairs, gin, pasta, hard nectarines and cheese more than life!

How did you get started?

I actually kind of fell into it! I was studying at the time and really struggling with the huge biochemistry component of nutrition. I previously studied anthropology and linguistics so this was such a struggle for me as a mature age student to get my head around. My sister introduced me to Instagram over the Easter holidays in 2014 and I decided to start posting my cringe-worthy (omg if you had have seen!) photos with recipes. I slowly started to get better at photography which was important for me because I believe people eat with their eyes, and by 2016, I had my first real partnership offer on the table which was creating a product that would go on to be stocked in every single Woolworths nationwide. Since then, I have been regularly sharing recipes that are generally easy to make and include ingredients that are easy to find. I also share recipes that are indulgent as well as healthy, as my blog and social media page are really a reflection of how I eat, and I eat and drink everything – white sugar and all!

What equipment do you shoot with?

It’s probably laughable how little I shoot with. I shoot with a mirrorless camera, a Fuji XT2 with either the stock lens or my 35mm prime lens that I bought second hand off ebay. Occasionally I will use my Manfrotto tripod but I prefer to shoot free-hand. And that’s literally it! No tethering, no diffusers, no light boards, no lighting.

Do you prefer studio work or location shoots?

I prefer studio work only because I work so chaotically! I’ve always been a bit all over the place when I work though – it’s how the genius comes out ;)…or at least that’s what I say to my husband!

Describe your style.

This is hard! I am always changing and experimenting! I always try to strike a balance between light and bright photography and dark and moody. Being Winter, I’ve found myself shooting darker and moodier lately and I’m loving it!

Who do you admire?

I recently got asked this in another interview and I’ve included my responses below – including Naomi who I have admired long before she asked me to do this interview with her

1: @natalie.zee – incredible photographer, such a hard worker and an all-round beautiful human being

2: @tohercore – she really has the ability to transport me some place else with her moody photography and cosy creations

3: @naomisherman_foodcreative – my mouth waters whenever Naomi’s images appear on my feed. She is also a brilliant story teller

4: @anisa.sabet – comfort food and cocktails, two of my favourite things!

5: @cookrepublic – beautiful veggie-full recipes that are easy to recreate

What's your dream job?

This is tough! Probably a shoot including all my Nonna’s pasta recipes!

What's your "can't live without" prop, tool or piece of equipment?

Linen napkins. They always add body and texture without being ‘in-your-face’.

Do you have one piece of advice for anyone just starting out?

Practice and cook food you’re passionate about! When you love the food you’ve created, it translates onto film.

Sweet or Savoury?

Man. Why can’t I have both?? I’ll go with savoury but my sweet tooth is a bit upset :P

Chocolate or Vanilla?

VANILLA 500%!

Four favourite instagram accounts?

Aside from the ones I mentioned above I love:

@acozykitchen

@halfbakedharvest

@italyonmymind

@feedmeichi

Three songs to listen to while working?

I never listen to songs I know because I can’t concentrate so I have the Buena Vista Social Club albums on heavy rotation along with ‘gypsy jazz’ which is a genre of jazz from the 1920’s. I actually walked down the aisle to a jazz number from this era – I love it so much. And I also listen to the ‘So Frenchy So Chic’ albums on shuffle play on Spotify

What was the last cookbook you bought?

Coastline by Lucio Galletto and David Dale. Reminds me of my family’s cooking.

If you were arrested with no explanation, what would your friends and family think you'd done?

Burnt the neighbourhood down because I left the oven on to get the perfect poached quinces while I was out haha!

Can you show us one of your early photos, along with a recent shot that you're really proud of?

Haha I sure can! I love how non-chalant I was about posting this photo. 20 bucks in the background, tag of placemat hanging out, hazy lighting. So much to giggle over.

Then the decent photo was one I shot recently for Talenti Gelato. I really loved how fun an ice cream shoot was and I was really proud to nail a shot before it all melted!