Melanie Dunea is an award-winning American photographer and author, best known for the book series My Last Supper as well as her revealing portraits of some of the world’s most celebrated artists, chefs, politicians, and intellectuals.

Dunea’s unique ability to produce both intimate photographs and revealing writing has been the driving force behind the publication of five books, including two much-lauded editions of My Last Supper. Her works have been translated into several languages and have sold more than 70,000 copies worldwide. Her success and widespread appeal have also led Dunea to starring roles on such projects as her own twelve-episode series for Martha Stewart and SiriusXM; an eighteen-episode video series for Yahoo; guest judging on Top Chef: All Stars; and appearances on The Today Show, the Rachael Ray Show, NPR’s The Splendid Table, and the award-winning The Mind of a Chef.

A classically trained photographer who has worked with Richard Avedon, the Gamma Agency in Paris, and New York’s Industria Superstudio, Dunea has established herself as a premier portraitist. She has photographed a wide variety of subjects, from actors such as Steve Martin, Mary Louise Parker, Sir Ian McKellen, Geena Davis, and Javier Bardem, to musicians like Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Tony Bennett, and Sting, to chefs including Anthony Bourdain, Eric Ripert, Ina Garten, David Chang, Lidia Bastianich, Daniel Boulud, and José Andrés. She has also photographed other prominent figures like Misty Copeland, Christiane Amanpour, John McEnroe, Amy Sherald, Daniel Barenboim, Quincy Jones, and Oliver Sacks. She was the last person to photograph former First Lady Barbara Bush for the book Our Shoes, Our Selves.

Dunea’s photographs are often commissioned and used for magazines, book covers, and corporate clients such as Vanity Fair, Bon Appetit, Condé Nast Traveler, The Guardian, Town & Country, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Hollywood Reporter, Parade, People, Penguin Random House, JP Morgan Chase, Moët & Chandon, Sony Music, Capitol Records, illy Coffee, Victorinox, Casa Dragones, Jim Beam, NBC Universal, The Cosmopolitan, Estée Lauder, and Sony BMG. 

She has received photographic awards from American Photography, PDN, Communication Arts, Graphis, the Society of Publication Designers, International Photography Awards, and the Lucie Foundation. My Last Supper, The Next Course won the Gourmand Award for Best in the World - USA for Photography.

Dunea is currently at work on a new photographic series called New York is Gold. She is also focused on EXPOSURE, a twenty-five year photographic retrospective, showcasing her up-close view and behind-the-scenes journey following the rise of celebrity chefs.

When Dunea is not traveling the world on assignment, she works to support several international charities close to her heart, including Food Bank for New York City, Wellness in the Schools, and Edible Schoolyard NYC. She has also been honored with Operation Smile’s Universal Smile Award for her work in Brazil, China, Kenya, and India.

A native of Chicago, Dunea makes her home in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood, where she has resided since 1995.

For commissions or questions please contact studio@melaniedunea.com