Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Holbert.
Hi Michelle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I took my first photography class in high school and I’ve loved it ever since. For me, photography was always more than a hobby. But when the pandemic hit, with more free time, I decided to focus on my art and turn my photos into a business. I currently sell photo prints through my online gallery and am excited about the new art pieces I am working on.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In college, I wanted to be a photojournalist and worked on the school paper. But I struggled in journalism school and got discouraged. Looking back, I also was more interested in art photography versus photojournalism. I went through a long period (years!) where I didn’t work on my photography at all. Eventually, I went into law and am now balancing my legal career and photography.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I find that ordinary objects or settings can translate into striking images by merely changing perspective. For example, a few years ago, I had gerber daisies and the seeds fell all over my desk. The sun shining through the window created beautiful shadows, like black spiders on the white desk. This inspired my macro photograph “Wisp”. Recently, I am most proud of my photo series “The Window Project 2021”. I took photos throughout the year from the same window of my apartment. Each day was like a new painting, the clouds and sunsets changing in shape and color.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I feel like I took a risk when I started posting on IG and set up my online gallery. At the time, I was not feeling confident and thought people would not like my photos. I had to change my mindset and take a risk because I really had nothing to lose. I also wanted to set a good example for my daughter, to teach her to overcome self-doubt.
Contact Info:
- Email: michellaphoto@gmail.com
- Website: michellaphoto.pic-time.com/art
- Instagram: @michella_photo
