Meet Melody Sky, my friend of nearly 20 years and the superwoman of outdoor adventure photography and filmmaking!
I remember meeting Melody back in the early 2000’s in Verbier, and I was immediately captivated by her vibrant spirit and zest for life. Her infectious laughter, warm smile, and genuine passion for everything she does makes her someone people naturally gravitate toward. Coupled with her incredible talent and unwavering dedication to her craft, Melody has become not just an inspiration but a true icon of Verbier.
If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Melody, be prepared to be enchanted and inspired. She's not just a photographer or filmmaker; she's a force of nature, leaving a trail of wonder and admiration wherever she goes.
Where were you born?
Aberdeen, Scotland
Where do you live?
Verbier, Switzerland
What inspires you here?
I absolutely love the environment and the climate here. The mountains are so impressive and so open. We look across the valley at a beautiful glacier and snow capped mountains all year round. Yet we have almost Mediterranean temperatures in the summer with no humidity or mosquitos. Thats the dream! We have a lot of sunshine, often above the clouds in winter when the cities, towns and villages lower down are dull and wet. In the town of Verbier itself, it’s like a mini version of the world, with nationalities from all over. A melting pot of professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, students, and families. I feel I can choose if I want to be an outdoor professional or a mountain girl or a business owner. But being out in nature, surrounded by some of the most impressive scenery in the world right on my doorstep, makes me feel very fortunate.
Describe yourself in 3 words:
Driven, Loyal, Friendly
Describe Verbier in 3 words:
Impressive, Uplifting, Beautiful
Tell us about what you do?
I’m an outdoor adventure photographer and film maker.
I have been fortunate enough in life to have turned my passions into my career, preferring to work in the mountains or in the ocean, but these days I am mostly in the mountains. I spend the majority of my days photographing adventure in the outdoors for my own fine art photography, other brands, and also Verbier itself. Based in Verbier, I’m pretty proud to shoot all of Verbier 4 Vallees marketing material for their Summer and Winter activities.
The majority of my work used to be filming and making films, many of which have screened at local cinema’s, online or sold as DVDs. I have a few film ideas up my sleeve at the moment actually and we have started pitching them with my favourite mountain cinematographer, Guido Perrini, whom I have filmed with a lot in the past.
Currently, I am developing new outdoor photography workshops that combine maximum adventure with minimal effort or impact. We provide everything from the tents to the sleeping bags, mats etc. We have a private chef who will cook all locally sourced organic produce, mountain bike and hiking guides, flora and fauna specialists, an astronomer, and a glaciologist. We have also partnered with an outdoor gear rental company to save people from having to buy anything new. I’m very excited about this project and can’t wait for people to experience it.
How did you get into photography?
I was very young when I started photography. In fact, I was 4 years old when I took my first photograph. My mum was a keen photographer and was always taking photographs of our family home life and adventures. Once a year we would sit down and have a slide show as a family, and I just loved doing this! My dad loved surfing, and my mum used to photograph him out in the ocean and our beach life too. We moved to Cornwall from Scotland when I was very young, and we were always either at the beach when my dad was surfing or out exploring somewhere. And my mum captured every moment. I guess that it is here that I got my love of adventure and the ocean. When I was 9 years old, my parents bought me my own camera as it was evident to them that I loved taking photos. This is when I took my first surf photograph. When I was 13 my mum gave me her DSLR. I always remember spending my pocket money to have my photographs developed. When I was 16 they bought me my own full kit with a selection of lenses. A camera has been by my side as long as I can remember!
What does a normal day look like for you in Verbier?
Photographing outdoor sports, brands, landscapes, editing, running the business day-to-day, communication, writing, administration, and networking. I have to keep quite a strict routine, or I’d never get anything done! I’m even pretty strict with my music listening, which friends find a little crazy. But 9am - 11am I have silence. I like to spend half an hour on urgent emails in the morning with my coffee before 9am. Then I do my social media. After that, I do anything creative, and that needs deep thought. At 11am I put music on but with no lyrics. Then I continue with deeper thought work until lunch. After lunch, I put music on with lyrics and I work on projects like web work, project planning, administration, etc. Then I do my emails. After dinner, I feel like I’m on holiday as I put Netflix on and settle into photo editing for the evening with a good movie or TV series. On a day where I am shooting outdoors, I generally come back by 5pm. Then I do my emails and image importing, followed by Netflix and editing.
Secret spots to explore?
The lakes and glaciers of Switzerland. I’d say my favourite lakes would be Lac des Fenetres in La Fouly, Lac de Louvie here in the Val de Bagnes, Lac de Tanay and Lac de Deborrance also in the Valais region, and Oeschinensee in the Bernese Oberland. I’ve got a lot more to explore though! Then the Aletsch glacier is not so much of a secret spot as it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, but I absolutely love it there.
Where are you travelling to next?
Scotland! I’m hoping to take my mum somewhere like Spain or Italy to get some mother/daughter time. In Scotland, I am toying with the idea of taking my dad on a tour to the Isle of Skye, Harris then Lewis. I am also in Portugal in June to do a recce for potential surf/ocean conservation photo workshops. Then I need to head straight back to Verbier for my first outdoor photography camp.
Who/what is inspiring you right now?
Dr Huberman, as I am very interested in health podcasts and love to pass on what I learn to family and friends. Huberman is so easy to listen to, and his work is so educational! Then the James Webb telescope is mind-blowing. I check in to sites like space.com every day to see what’s going on in space. It’s fascinating! I’d say life is pretty amazing to me. Human life and health, nature and the planet, our ocean, and our solar system just has my brain bursting. I find everything amazing. How did we get here? What is it all about? It’s just too big for my little brain.
Other local brands do you love?
Colt & Willow - my next door neighbours! We’ve had quite a journey together. Tony & Annie, and I have been friends for many years and lived next door to each other for 12 years. Tony is Australian actually! He was the founder of a ski brand called Faction Skis. He created an amazing business! He then moved on to greater things, creating a new brand with the skier Candide Thovex. His wife, Annie, created a range of non-toxic eco cleaning products that smell absolutely amazing. I remember her starting it right at the beginning with Tony, really looking for something that would not be toxic to their two adorable small children, Pia & Ivy. I have also shot much of the photography for www.coltandwillow.com and I find it so rewarding to do something totally different with people I am very close to. I’m so impressed with what they both produce. But it’s not without difficulty. It’s very difficult being an entrepreneur here in Switzerland, and we all go through the same struggles. But I like how they never give up. I am a big fan of their products!
Favourite tunes?
Most music! I love the early 70s, Quicksilver Girl by the Steve Miller Band is one of my favourites as my mum always said that this always made her think of me. So now I think of her every time I listen to it! Then there is ‘Go on’ by Jack Johnson as the lyrics remind me of a really happy memory of my dad taking me out early in the morning when everybody else was asleep and I went to the beach with him whilst he surfed. It was a special moment only he and I shared. I have so many songs! My Mum and Dad both have the best collection of music out of anyone I know.
Top tip for travellers to Verbier?
Look past the skiing, there’s so much more to experience and explore!
An interesting fact about Melody Sky…
I don’t like the cold.
Your motto to live by...
What’s s**t today is history tomorrow.
