Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Reed.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Throughout my life I have always been described as “creative”. I have treaded many creative pathways throughout my life that have influenced my interest in photography. I am moved by music, dance, and the arts through which I have developed an appreciation for people’s expression of themselves through their art.
I would constantly daydream and fantasize as a child, I remember making up lyrics to my own songs, learning to play the piano by ear, making my own Barbie clothes with fabric scraps and safety pins, and altering my own clothing. I’ve always loved putting my own twist on things and making them “my own.” Today, I love designing and making wardrobe pieces for photo shoots and seeking out and collecting interesting vintage items to use as props.
My true creative outlet was found through the lens of a camera after starting a family of my own and really understanding how precious and fleeting simple moments can be. I developed a desire to document my children’s lives. What really drew me to photography is the emotion and meaning behind the images. I don’t strive to take the perfect photograph, but to capture the feelings, raw emotion, and mood of my subject. That moment that will fade away into yesterday and be forgotten unless it is captured. I want my photographs to move you; make you want to look at it for a while. Feel some emotion.
So I started my business photographing newborn babies – mimicking their poses in the womb. This took a LOT of education and practice and patience. Because I had a desire to document lives, I went on to photograph children, families, etc…People…portraiture as we call it. Then I just moved on to self-discovering other things that really made me tick. I have a lot of interests and I realized I wanted to incorporate as many of those interests into my photography. I like to try and make unusual connections to unrelated things or ideas. I wanted to take my interests, my passions, and marry them. I’m passionate about health and fitness, so I began doing fitness photography. I’m also a huge animal lover which led me to do some pet photography to benefit local pet rescue. Then there was my love for music, which dates back to my childhood so I knew I had to do something to incorporate that into my photography work. I love attending concerts, so I knew I wanted to be that photographer at the foot of the stage, right up in the artists face, photographing live shows…capturing the energy and literally feeling the sweat. So, I started breaking into photographing concerts. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to photograph some of my favorite rock stars and idols over the years. This really put me in my element.
My most recent endeavor is branding my work. I have a line of products currently in development that will feature my images. I’m super excited about it.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think the hardest part was just taking a hobby to a business and having the confidence to say “I’m ALL in – 100%” …quitting the “comfortable” corporate job and just going for it. And sometimes I will get a creative block. That’s when I know I need to step back, think outside the box, and focus more on me, and what drives and motivates me. Once you get too comfortable, it is time to step outside that comfort zone and step into something that makes you a little nervous, makes you feel different. I think one can almost sabotage their success otherwise. Another challenge I faced was wondering if my style, or a certain project is going to be accepted by others. You can’t appeal to everyone in the market, but fear and anxiety can either hold you back or be used as a source of power and make you persevere in spite of it. Taking risks is the only way to get out of our comfort zone and take our businesses to the next level.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Michele Reed Photography – what should we know?
My business is Michele Reed Photography and was born in 2007. I began by specializing in maternity and newborn babies. I love the mother/child bond and wanted to capture that and the emotion behind it both before and after the birth. I don’t know how it originally came to be, but my clients labeled me as the “baby whisperer”. Haha. It takes a great deal of patience and time to photograph newborn babies, and I think you have to have a generally soothing, calming nature in order to spend several hours with a newborn and keep them comfortable and at ease. I got a call from a potential client one day and when I picked up my phone she said “Is this the baby whisperer”? 🙂 I chuckled, and didn’t quite know how to answer!
This later lead to children and families. Then beauty/glamour photography…because I think there is beauty in every woman regardless of shape, color, size, or age and I felt a strong desire to really want to capture that and make women believe it for themselves. I also really enjoy doing actor/model head shots and portfolios. While I like to capture peoples personalities in portraits, I am also drawn to the feel of moody and somewhat impulsive, whimsical images.
I would say I am most proud of my desire and to keep growing and evolving as a photographer. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut. I’ve been there. But I’ve managed to dig myself out along the way which has led to the evolution of new concepts and ideas.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Definitely have to naturally have a creative mind, a good eye. The ability to recognize and pull out the beauty in everything/everyone. To see things differently. These are things that are hard to teach. The technical stuff can be learned. There’s a manual for that. I’ve trained amateur photographers. Those that have the creative eye and a mind that can think outside the box, are the ones who achieve heightened success. I like unusual things – people and places. I like to see and photograph unusual faces, features, and things in nature. I think you need to have a sense for that, too. Lastly, you just can’t be afraid to express yourself. You can’t worry if something isn’t going to appeal to everyone, because it’s not. Art is very subjective. Follow your inspirations. And just love what you do and have fun doing it. That’s very important to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.michelereedphotography.com
- Phone: 770-310-9763
- Email: Michele@MicheleReedPhotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelereedphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelereedphotographystudios
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/micheledmreed
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