About Me
About Melissa
Hi, I'm Melissa Varelas—equal parts scientist and artist, nurse and naturalist, soldier and storyteller. For over 21 years, I served in the U.S. Army as a medic and nurse, a journey that taught me how to listen deeply—to people, to silence, and later, to the wild.
— Melissa Varelas | Conservation Photographer | Storyteller | Advocate for the Wild
Now, I use my camera as a tool for advocacy and remembrance. My lens is drawn to the overlooked and the endangered: coastal wetlands vanishing under rising tides, cranes disappearing into fog, and the still, patient moments that reveal a deeper truth about nature—and ourselves.
Shaped by a background in environmental science and field experience across diverse ecosystems—from Yellowstone to Kenya—I've spent countless hours observing wildlife, studying behavior, and learning the rhythm of wild places through direct connection and persistence.
Whether documenting Whooping Cranes at dawn or sharing stories with farmers as a conservation advisor in my local district, I believe that photography can move hearts and shift narratives. I also interview fellow conservation photographers, learning from their experiences to deepen my own path.
My work is grounded in respect—for wild lives and wild lands—and guided by a question: Can we still hear the wild when it whispers?
If we listen closely enough, we might remember: we belong to the earth, not the other way around.
