MEL
TJOENG
Photographer
Creative Director
Selected work
ABOUT MEL
People first.
Always.
Mel Tjoeng is a photographer and creative director working across fashion, campaigns and portraiture.
Her love of storytelling began while growing up in Papua New Guinea. Her life across Hawai‘i, New York and London further shaped the way she sees people and places. With a BA in Anthropology and History from Hawai‘i Pacific University and photography studies at the International Center of Photography in New York, she is drawn to individuality, human connection and the qualities that make someone unmistakably themselves.
“When I photograph someone, it’s a conversation between the subject and myself. It’s a connection.”
Whether she is photographing an artist, creating a campaign or discovering a new face, Mel’s work is guided by instinct, curiosity and emotion.
“You know when a photograph is good because it makes you feel something.”
THE STUDIO
Photography.
Creative direction.
Casting + scouting.
From the first idea to the final image: finding the faces, shaping the visual direction and bringing a project to life.
Selected clients & collaborators
Lululemon · Roxy · Billabong · H&M · Spell Byron Bay · ACACIA · Teva · MIKOH · Alex Mills · Goalhanger · Afends · SIE Swim · Nagnata · By Chari · Maison Tjoeng · Heretic Parfum / Kelia Moniz · L*SPACE · Moon Collective · Charlie May · Arlo Parks · Eli Mac · Rocky Barnes · Atlantic Records
Selected publications
The Wall Street Journal · i-D · YEN Magazine · Boys By Girls · FLUX Hawai‘i (cover photography, Vol. 9 Issue 3) · Rolling Stone · DIY · Hypebeast (photography featured twice) · Gold Coast Bulletin
Exhibitions
The Kids Are Alright — an online exhibition by Melanie Tjoeng (2023).
Press & recognition
TIME: selected to represent Hawai‘i in its 50-state Instagram photography feature.
Profiles and coverage: L’Officiel Ibiza · HONOLULU Magazine · WOO · FLUX Fridays
Agency work
The Honolulu City Club — founded by Mel Tjoeng; Creative Director.
Model representation, placements and scouting: Jacquemus · Louis Vuitton · Ralph Lauren.
Anti-Agency — an agency Mel works with, including photography collaborations.