BlackHawk Ranch & Photography became a family run business
when Melissa and Ben met and began photographing alpacas. Ben was familier
with alpacas as he helped his parents raise them and they were new to Melissa.
Now, as a team each photo shoot brings two photographers and all the gear.
Ben and Melissa photograph interchangably at shows and at portrait sessions.
Melissa grew up in Middleton, WI, which is where she went
to High School. She graduated in 1997 and went on to attend Mankato State
University that fall. She studied photography and played hockey. Her true
love for photography came about photographing live concerts at the age of
14. In the last 15 years she has branched out to just about every type of
photography. Her specialty, however is alpacas and llamas although a love
for concerts still remains. Her new interest is wildlife photography and scenery
photography, this came about after spending a year in the ever scenic mountains
in Wyoming.
Ben grew up in many areas but spent his High School years
in the Omro school district, which is where he graduated in 1997. Ben went
on to attend Northern Michigan University, then U.W. Platteville, where he
did some studies at Idaho and Washington State and finally graduated from
U.W. Platteville. Ben studied agriculture with a beef emphasis. He helped
his parents with their alpaca herd and got into photography when Melissa needed
another team member for the alpaca photography. Ben has tried to branch out
into some scenery photography and with time he'll learn how to handle the
camera like a pro!
