Today we’d like to introduce you to Faith Johnson.
Faith, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I always knew I had a passion for being in front of the camera and finding ways to create a vision for others to value- I never knew that I would find a love and a passion being behind the lens. When I was 18, I started collaborating with local Houston creators and found myself wanting more. I decided to show people what imagination looks like through my eyes, a personal perception. I reached out to people through social media to see if they were willing to collaborate with me and give me the chance to show the photography community that I can turn a simple portrait into something that makes people stop for a second and admire vibrant colors, pure souls, and the need to see more. When I first started out, I had no clue how to edit or what the settings on my camera even meant; with that being said, it did not take me long to get the hang of it. When you are truly invested in something you find a passion for, you will go above and beyond to learn and practice the things you have been taught. I’ve always thought of my work as art, however, I know of myself as a hard critic to my own creations. Turning my imagination into reality has been my muse. I find my inspiration through the tiniest of things-especially, on my off days. It will forever be important to me that who I am as a person is expressed through the things I shape. My clients and collaborators make everything I do possible!
Without these people, I would never be where I am today. I keep going, keep growing, and keep finding a reason to express the inner me. I have done digital marketing for companies, engagements, family portraits, graduations, toddlers, etc. And as much as I enjoy and love capturing those bittersweet moments, nothing sets a fire in my soul like creating imaginative portraits. You eventually start to see the person you are or who you are becoming when you find the thing that keeps you going. I love creating with others and showing the Houston community what photography is all about and I am proud to call myself a Houston Creator. I never knew where I was going with this journey but I always knew that wherever I landed wouldn’t be boring. I see the world through my lens and hope to aspire others in the way I have been. I have been incredibly fortunate to meet and learn from the people I have always found to be exceedingly talented. The more I learn, the further I want to go.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I truly believe in anything you do, it won’t come easy- but it will come naturally. I have struggled mostly in finding that I hope to never peak in my work. Sometimes I am so caught up in a set that I don’t take the time to appreciate the amazing things I have fabricated. When I struggle to let my mind wander and open up to my imagination, I get overwhelmed and anxious but when I pick up my camera and start capturing, all of my anxiety and frustration disappears. Being behind the lens gives me the chance to show who I really am. Like I said before, when I first started out in photography I had no clue how to edit or where to even begin; at times I felt like it wasn’t meant for me.
As time went on and I met other creators and watched them move or asked questions over how they would edit their work, I started to feel reassured and knew I was built for this. Everyone has their own personal vision and style and that is why I love what I do and 100% support anyone who wants to become a creator, model, stylist, etc. There is something about passion that will drive you crazy; passion is a powerful thing and will drive people to the limit. And that is the amazing thing about being an imaginative photographer..there is no limit, no boundaries, you create what you feel or see in your own perspective. There is no wrong way to create Art and that is sincerely refreshing. I feel the things I need to feel and in order to let them go, I express them in my artwork first.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Faith Michele Photos – what should we know?
I am Faith Michele Photos located in League City, Texas. I specialize in engagements, digital media, graduations, and creative portraits. I am known for my imaginative mindset when creating portraits and my desire to create love stories (engagement portraits). I believe in building relationships with my clients and collaborators before scheduling shoots. It is extremely important to me to know what their vision is for our shoots! I always openly ask about what it is they are wanting to create and how they are expecting the shoot to go! After getting to know them, I send out inspiration boards that give a theme with poses and style options. I do enjoy styling my artistic collaborators so when I have a creative shoot coming up, I pull different styles to put my models in to give us more than one scenario!
When I am out at a shoot, I like to make my clients my all-time priority so I do not base my rates off of times. I think it is important to use up all of the time you can so I really do focus on taking my time and making sure I get as much content as I can. I am known for being patient and sending out sneak peeks! When I am in my editing zone, I go crazy for sneak peeks! I love showing off the content that was created from the set! I have a strong desire to show people just how beautiful they are when no one is looking.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Jordan Fischels, Matrix Photography, and Pablo Aguilar have been the inspiration behind my need to create and be a better version of myself as a photographer. These creators all share different techniques but have inspired me off of the same thing- their willingness to show and teach me how to create what you see. Jordan Fischels has a natural way of moving and anyone that has the chance to encounter her at work is unbelievably lucky- she could turn any dull setting into a scene that pops and screams wow. Her focal points are SERIOUS. I was lucky enough to shadow her and I could not stop watching how natural she was when following the model and she takes movement shots so well!
Matrix Photography taught and encouraged me in a lot of different ways! When I first started out, I had a test shoot with him downtown which ended in a photographer duo lesson! After our test shoot, he allowed me to tag along to his next shoot! I was overly excited and inspired that someone was willing to give me the time of a day and answer the questions I had about my camera, lighting, and posing. He has taught me a lot and I owe him a huge thank you for taking me in under his wing when I had not one clue how to make sure my lighting was right or how to use a tone curve. He saved my life when I was truly overwhelmed and uninspired with myself. He is a creator I will always look up to!
Pablo Aguilar, the first Houston creator to ever give me the chance to model for him in downtown! I was 18 and we met up in downtown for a shoot and from then on, I thought of him as a true inspiration! Pablo and I have worked together on multiple creative shoots whether it was a test shoot, videography, or some street portraits! He has been known for capturing the purest moments of myself that I will cherish forever. I sincerely look up to Pablo and his creations. The way he can turn nothing into something AMAZES me every single time. He is the kind of photographer that could blow your mind a way with the way he edits and directs his work.
I have said it before and I will say it again, I have been more than fortunate to have met and been mentored by these extremely talented people. They all have different visions but follow the same passion. I would never be where I am today without them. They are a huge influence to my journey and I wouldn’t trade things I have learned from them for the world. My inspiration was found in you and to you, I thank.
Pricing:
- Creative/Fashion Portraits: $85 per style/look
- Love Stories: $200, 2-3 outfits, 2 different locations
- Grads: $170, 1-2 outfits, 1 location
Contact Info:
- Address: 3029 Spring Hill Ln, League City, TX 77573
- Phone: 8324922020
- Email: faithtyreej@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/faithmichelephotos
- Facebook: Facebook.com/faithmichelephotos
- Other: faithmichelephotos.pixieset.com
Image Credit:
Matrix Photography
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