PLAYING FAVORITES — MOLLY AND NICK MELE OF A SOCIAL LIFE
This blog is still in its nascence, but if you’ve spent any time here at all, I hope it is apparent that I love nothing more than a good, healthy, silver spoonful of self-deprecating humor. I also love to share only my favorite people, places, and things, so when I was introduced to the decidedly tongue-in-cheek photography project that is A Social Life, I knew I had found my new favorite pair of kindred humorists in Molly and Nick Mele.
If their names sound vaguely familiar, here’s a clue: as a photographer, Nick has been likened to a 21st century Slim Aarons, and his work has made numerous appearances in print such as the New York Times, Town and Country, and Veranda, to name a few. His striking, detail-attentive compositions capture the lush and the leisure of upper class American lives in such a way that, to view his photos, one is uncertain of whether to feel envy, pity, awe, empathy, or sheer amusement at the subject matter. Think: if Wes Anderson published the Palm Beach Shiny Sheet.
A Social Life has become one of my favorite Instagram accounts to follow, and as a reluctant but admitted plebeian, I was all but delighted when Molly and Nick agreed to join in my new interview series, Playing Favorites. Ah, good conversation — there's nothing like it, is there? Read on for our candid (and charming) chat about everything from poor photography to parenting to pagoda lamps … and be sure to follow @a.social.life for nothing short of both a visual feast and a hit parade of high-end hilarity.
Nick, you grew up in Edith Wharton’s former home, Land’s End. Kind of a tough act to follow. How did that influence your work?
Nick: Honestly? I’ve still never read The Age of Innocence or her other novels. (NOTE: Though your younger son is called Archer?) But I know we are both heavily influenced by the upper class worlds we grew up in. As a child, I didn’t realize how special and unique my upbringing was. As I got older, I came to appreciate that not everyone gets to be a part of this world and if they do, that doesn’t mean that they will feel comfortable. Even before I became a photographer, I was fascinated by the history of the upper class in America and how it has been defined over the years. The fact that I can approach the subject as an insider is a rare. As a photographer, you need to figure out what makes you different from every other person taking pictures out there and when you do, you need to lean into it.
NICK MELE
Where does your photography lie on the spectrum between commercial imagery and art?
Nick: That’s tough. At the end of the day, most artists hope that their work is commercially viable. They have to make money if they want to continue doing what they love. However, I don’t think I produce a lot of what I would consider “fine art” that people would want to hang on their walls. That doesn’t mean I don’t have it in me (or that I don’t consider what I do artistic), it’s just not where my focus has been. I make my living shooting for brands and magazines and private individuals who commission my portraits. I try and put my own personal artistic stamp on everything I shoot, regardless of whether it’s an advertisement or fashion spread or a photo of my own family. I want people to be able to look at my photos and say, “that looks like it was shot by Nick Mele.” I think that’s important.
You have shot some truly exceptional people, places, and spaces. Is there any particular occasion that stands out to you?
Nick: I’m always grateful. I don’t take any opportunity for granted, especially since I’ve been afforded so many advantages to start with. It took me years to commit to being a professional photographer because I never thought I could really make a living doing this. The fact that so many people I respect like my work and want me to shoot for them is truly awe inspiring (I still sometimes feel like they are just being polite). I just shot my first billboard. It’s up in the middle of West Hollywood. How cool is that? (Note: Very cool. Check it out here.) I don’t ever want to be jaded about things like that.
NICK MELE
Molly and Nick, this is one of my favorite questions to ask couples together: How did you two meet?
Nick: She was on a blind date with a friend of mine in Newport…
Molly: …it wasn’t really a date; our parents set it up…
Nick: I met up with my friend at a bar after the date and we hit off. I was super cheesy. She said she was a model and I gave her my photography card. And at that point I could barely call myself a photographer. She called me and asked me if I wanted to hang out in the city.
Molly: He had absolutely no game. If I hadn’t called him we wouldn’t be here.
Nick: She’s right, I have no game. Luckily, I’m ridiculously good looking.
NICK MELE
A Social Life. It sounds busy, but still infinitely preferable to An Anti-Social Life. How social are you really…
Molly: I’m an introverted extrovert…
Nick: and I’m an extroverted introvert.
Molly: I keep my circle small because I really value my friends but I’m always open to meeting new people.
…and why did you two decide to start this project?
Nick: Molly likes the idea of going out in theory, but in practice I’m always the one dragging her out the door. Then when she gets there she’s the life of the party and I can’t get a word in edgewise. I love being around people. I get energy from it. But at heart I’m super shy. That’s probably why hiding behind the camera is so appealing to me. I started A Social Life a few years ago when I was really just starting my career and wasn’t getting that much work. I needed a reason to keep shooting every day. Even when you’re not working, you should be working. I had built in photo subjects with my family and I knew I was lucky to have access to some really cool locations. The humor developed because I was naturally very shy about showing off our lifestyle. I wanted people to realize that we don’t take any of it too seriously. We’re the first ones to make fun of ourselves.
NICK MELE
NICK MELE
Molly, you have impeccable style and you are the picture of ease in front of a camera. How, and what experiences have you had that have influenced your work?
Molly: In my twenties I modeled for several years in New York. Plus, Nick takes a thousand pictures so the odds of at least getting one usable shot of me are pretty good.
Nick, I am one of the worst photographers I know, and I like to tell myself it's because I’m short… what say you? Any advice? (And please don’t tell me to carry a ladder around.)
Nick: Molly says I’m always hanging pictures on the wall too high because I’m tall, so I guess height has its disadvantages as well. The best advice I can give anyone trying a new skill or hobby is practice. Just keep shooting. You’re only going to get better. I also tell young photographers to study the work of those who’ve come before them. Figure out who you like and why you like their work and copy it. Seriously. Go out and try and shoot like they do. Eventually you’ll develop your own style but until then pull from the people you admire.
NICK MELE
Parenting. Did you have any idea what you were getting yourselves into? What’s the best/scariest part?
Molly: I always thought I was a baby person but once I had my own I realized I’m not. I like them much more once they’re out of diapers.
Nick: I knew I didn’t like babies, but ours were/are pretty darn cute. So, I like them better than I thought I would. Now it’s only other people’s babies that I don’t like.
Molly: You can never imagine how much you are going to love your children until they are here. That’s the best AND scariest part.
Nick: I didn’t know I could love something so much. It is constantly terrifying.
NICK MELE
Did you ever have a photography disaster that you can laugh about now?
Nick: I can’t think of anything specific, but it never goes as easily as we make it look in the final product – especially when you’re shooting a dog and two children, none of which are very well trained or have an attention span longer than a few minutes. On top of that, you’re asking your wife to corral all of them and keep them happy while you set up the camera. Thus, she’s probably a little grumpy by the end and ready to call it quits. And you’re usually shooting in places that have a lot of expensive things just laying around. So, you can imagine the chaos.
I can imagine. What can we look forward to from you and A Social Life in the coming year?
Nick: For me personally, I’m continuing to shoot my fall/winter campaign for Sam Edelman which will be slowly rolled out over the course of the year. I’ve also got a book proposal on my Newport photos out to a few publishers (NOTE: Keep us posted…) so hopefully I’ll be able to talk more about that soon. As for A Social Life, just a more of the same with a few new locations thrown in the mix. Obviously Palm Beach and Newport are our mainstays but last year we got to go to Middleburg, VA; Charleston, SC; Montgomery, AL; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Paris, France. And I hate to travel! But I’m fighting against it and hopefully we’ll hit up some cool locations this year. Maybe Aspen, or the Bahamas or Italy. Maybe even Disneyland…
Why not Jackson Hole… <crickets>
Let’s play favorites…
takeaway dinner
Molly: Asian - Joy Noodle in Palm Beach.
Nick: Italian – Mama Luisa’s in Newport
cocktail
Molly: Out East Rosé
Nick: Vodka soda, splash of grapefruit
photography book
Once Upon a Time — Slim Aarons
Immediate Family — Sally Mann
The Portraits — Vanity Fair
role model
Molly: Beth Stern
Nick: I take a little inspiration from a lot of people
Instagram accounts to follow now
Molly: New York Bully Crew @c.legit5
Nick: @accidentallywesanderson
vice
Molly: Chocolate and Haribo Gummy Bears
Nick: Napping
album
Molly: The Essential Paul Simon
Nick: New Radicals – Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too
winter sport
Molly: I live in Florida... so tennis
Nick: Skiing; and I know it’s weird but amateur wrestling
date night
Molly: Dinner and a movie
Nick: What she said
wallpaper
Nick: Something bright and bold, maybe a little chintzy
street
Molly: Ledge Rd.
Nick: I’m much more of an Avenue kind of guy (NOTE: Touché.)
family activity
Molly: The beach
Nick: The movies
child
Molly: Depends on the day.
Nick: Neither of them can read yet, but I still know better than to answer that.
bathroom product
Molly: my dry brush
Nick: toilet paper
rebel
Molly: Keanu Reeves
Nick: That’s kind of an awesome answer. What she said.
airport
Molly: Orlando International
Nick: Charles de Gaulle, Paris
impulse purchase
Molly: Pretty much everything I buy is an impulse purchase
pastry
Molly: croissant
Nick: cheesecake
expression you love to hate
Molly: I hate the term “boozy brunch” (NOTE: agree)
Nick: One of our good couple friends use the hashtag #friendswhoarefamily and it drives me nuts
If you could be an apprentice to anyone, who?
Nick: Annie Leibovitz
raid someone’s closet, whose?
Molly: Olivia Palermo (NOTE: Agree.)
Nick: Conor McGregor
design a home anywhere in the world, where?
Nick and Molly: Newport
find the one and only amazing piece you’ve been seeking an antique/estate sale, what?
Molly: Right now? A pair of white pagoda lamps
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Molly and Nick, for your time and generosity!
NICK MELE