Melissa K. Smith Email & Phone Number

Berkeley, California, United States

Berkeley, California, United States

Advanced scanning, retouching, and fine art/large format printing. Project management of large digitizing and archive projects involving photos, albums, negative, slides and various ephemera and memorabilia. Supervise fellow lab technicians in organizing and carrying out tasks to complete projects. Keeping inventory of papers and related supplies as well as keeping equipment clean and well maintained.

Berkeley, California, United States

While continuing to assist customers face to face and by phone, I supervised up to three customer service associates to ensure they were properly trained to complete daily and special tasks, prepare orders for production, and learn the skills necessary for not only assisting customers but educating them when inquiries are made about use of cameras, film and film processing. Training provided as needed about our flagship services along with new products and services as business continues to grow and change with the industry.

Berkeley, California, United States

While continuing supervising the customer service team of up to three associates, I became a more integral part of the production crew with my artistic, technical skills, and previous photo lab experience. I perform many tasks including Photoshop skills for photo retouching and restoration, high quality scanning and digital archiving, wide format and fine art printing, C-41 film processing and scanning, project management and delegation of duties to fellow technicians in order to complete customer orders and projects in a timely manner. Both skill sets relating to production and customer service were essential during the pandemic when I worked with the manager to create ways for us to not only stay safe and healthy, but to continue to provide service while we were essential closed to the public and could not have a full staff in the lab.

Berkeley, Ca

www.photolaboratory.com

San Francisco Bay Area

I started Dissave Pictures originally as Dissave Press with my husband and artistic colleague Rory Dean. It was a natural mix of our combined talents of drawing and writing along with our desire to share our work with the world. After many publications and a nurturing of visual story story-telling in film study, our independent publishing company grew into video production. I discovered my talents in photography not only in creating compelling imagery, but in capturing the spirit of my subjects whether they are people or animals. I use my fine art experience while shooting scripted narratives and live action presentations to support and enhance the theme of the performance.My roles include: 1st and 2nd Assistant director, camera operator, producer, editing consultant, photographer, storyboard artist, location manager, script supervisor, catering and locations. I work on various photography, video and film projects with both student and professional productions in the San Francisco Bay Area. I provide individual and class instruction on photography and art.

Sacramento, California Area

I provide wolf education to the general public and animal handling at community events. I produce educational and promotional videos, photography and social media content that is used to promote knowledge of wolves and wolf-hybrids and to aid in fund-raising for this non-profit animal rescue. I have been around animals all of my life. I have a natural ability to communicate with them which has earned me the status of a trusted caretaker and friend. This enables me to work with wolf-hybrids to aid them in adapting and learning socialization skills.

San Francisco Bay Area

Painting, drawing, and photography in the realms of fine art, illustration/comics, and advertising.

San Francisco Bay Area

As part of a team of customer service oriented associates in a busy retail and repair store location, I ensure that customers receive the education they need to make an informed and satisfying purchase. For repairs, I effectively communicate the equipment issues to technicians so all problems will be promptly resolved.

Oakland, California

As the lead sales associate/assistant manager and class instructor in a busy photo retail store, I effectively handle a diversity of customers' needs every day. I am a patient and diplomatic problem-solver and use my artistic training and quick thinking in teaching. I work closely with customers to, utilizing my fine arts background, produce creative printing projects and proficiently manage a one-hour wet lab.I performed photo scanning for the upcoming film, “Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet.” When my clients learned of my background in film-making, they were confident the job would be done right. The clients appreciated the fast service and personal attention over this year-long production, trusting me with precious photos and sensitive information. I assisted a client for four months with her family archive project by providing guidance in choosing the right camera, gave personal and class instruction on camera operations, advice on photo scanning, and book-making. Because of my knowledge and service, 50 invaluable family heirlooms were created and my satisfied customer continues to return for all of her photography needs.The store manager, observing my aptitude for teaching, suggested we start the company-wide photography class program in our store. We worked together to implement the program, acquiring movable displays and projection equipment and instructional materials. I quickly learned the lessons and began teaching classes one month later, and continue this joyful practice for the past two years in groups and individual instruction. Working directly with store management I train and motivate fellow associates so they may accomplish personal and store goals. I’ve accomplished this ongoing task through difficult periods for the company and continue with enthusiasm daily. I continue to be the highest quality selling associate at location #248 and in the company’s top 25 President’s Circle of Excellence consistently for the past four years.

Oakland, California

Confident leader in store phone sales, activations and accessories.Excellence in customer satisfaction and relationship cultivation.Sales lead for individual accounts.Effective training of new associates on phone sales and activations.

San Francisco Bay Area

After seeing some of my own wedding photography, Sharon Wharton invited me to assist her on photo shoots. I worked not only as a second photographer, but ensured that Mrs. Wharton had everything she needed while working from charged batteries and lenses to dinner breaks. After our first shoot together, her confidence in my abilities grew and many of my photos were chosen by clients for their final photo packages.

Oakland, California

Leader in store phone sales, regional sales and customer satisfaction.Sales and service lead for individual and corporate accounts.Enthusiastic educator eager to teach, train and learn.

Oakland, California

I provided pet care services using aversive free, positive reinforcement training methods, companionship to aged and housebound animals, and was an assistant trainer in group settings.I worked with many different types of household pets and adhered to their humans special requests as needed. I worked with one dog with a short attention span in preparing him for off-leash situations. In a year’s time he went from no training to a well behaved, responsive gentlemen who could be trusted while off-leash.

Berkeley, California

Assistant to art instructor Ruth Block. Aided students in life drawing, painting, sculpture, set-up and clean-up in an after-school art program.

San Francisco Bay Area

As Editor-In-Chief I managed the production team, correspondence with contributing artists, preparation and assembly of anthology comics "Sakura Pakk" and "Rumble Pakk" for printing and distribution, and attended events and conventions as company representative.The president of the company asked me to lead a new team of editors of my choosing after learning of my independent press talents at several comic book conventions. I immediately began pre-press work for the existing anthology and began recruiting talent to create a new manga anthology. After learning each member's talents I began to delegate tasks, pre-press work, and set deadlines between us. My expertise, creativity, and connections made the first “Sakura Pakk” ready to go to press in four months.

Lucca, Italy

Art instruction through Pratt University to beginning to advanced Italian students for summer art program. Class preparation, drawing and painting techniques, and book production with an art show and finished collaborative comic book produced at program completion.

Fresno, California Area

Received and posted payments to customer accounts, reconciled reports, handled cash drawer, customer interfacing in person and on phone, inventory data entry, general office organization and filing. Assisted Payroll department in preparing check runs and outgoing checks.

Fresno, California Area

Data entry and general office clerk for Densmore Engines.Duties included data entry and filing.

Fresno, California Area

General Office Clerk in A/R for Producers Dairy, http://www.producersdairy.com/ Duties included data entry, filing, check preparation, mail, phone, and reception desk.

Fresno, California Area

Duties included data entry, typing, filing, processing checks, report distribution, answering phones, and deliveries. Assisted insurance and accounts payable departments as needed.

Mfa, Fine Art, Transformative Art

Activities and Societies: Produced comic strip "Kitsune's Glade" for school newspaper.

Bfa, Fine Art

Associate Arts, Fine Art