Melissa Lukenbaugh studied Documentary Photography and Filmmaking at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University and Penland School in North Carolina and earned a Bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University in English Literature. Working as Photography and Narrative Writing Instructor at The Light Factory Contemporary Museum for Photography and Film, she guided high school aged refugees emigrating to the US in the wake of civil war to document and share their stories in words and pictures. As photographer/filmmaker, she uses qualitative reporting techniques to bring a greater depth to projects aiming to bring broader and deeper understanding to the aims of each project. She's covered 52 projects over 13 countries responding to global issues including conservation, homelessness, mental health, gender equity and the HIV and AIDS pandemic following the progression of access to treatment and the reduction of stigma in southern Africa and southeast Asia. Her editorial and narrative work has earned an Emmy nomination and numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists while advertising work frequents annual Graphex awards. Based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, she continues traveling for editorial assignments, humanitarian agencies, NYTimes, architecture firms and is currently pursuing any and all work on rock, snow, sand, ice or bike.
