Meet Micki Harris

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Sed ut perspiciatis unde.

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Micki Harris a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Micki, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I think creative practices are things you learn by doing – Just jumping in and getting your hands dirty. My story is no exception. I learned how to be a photographer by photographing my life, my interests, my friends, and my family far before I had any formal training or access to high quality equipment. I was profoundly into music from a very young age which ended up being my avenue into photography. I went to a lot of shows in junior high and high school, many being the bands my older brother played in, never leaving my camera behind. I had a lot of practice photographing live music and being the go-to documenter for my brother’s high school metal band felt empowering. I look back at photos I made in my adolescence now and it’s endearing how junky they are. I was making photographs without the cloud of capitalism and productivity culture hanging over my head – It was very pure. Allowing yourself to be a novice at something that feels good to do is imperative in the process of developing your craft. Authenticity, patience, and persistence are key.

I didn’t really know that I wanted to pursue photography professionally until it was actually starting to happen. By happenstance and the kindness of another human, I was given a photo pass for a date of Vans Warped Tour in 2017. It was there that I met my dear friend Nina who would go on to be a mentor to me and set me up with the first publication I ever contributed to. I started building a real portfolio and my work now existed in the digital ether. Quickly, it became clear to me that I wanted a career in photography, which led to me enrolling in an undergraduate program at Columbia College Chicago. I went full throttle in my live music photography practice from this point onward, but my education didn’t allow me to have tunnel vision on any one practice. School pushed me. I made work that I never would have made otherwise and thought about the work I was making in entirely new ways. I learned how to shoot in a studio, using gear that never would have made its way into my hands without access from the institution.

I was really privileged to get an education in photography and I value it so deeply. But I urge those without access to just be brave and learn by doing. Many of the most successful artists I know never got to study their craft on a college level. Lean on others – There are so many people who will share their knowledge with you and genuinely want to help you succeed. Find who you look up to and figure out what it is about them and what they do that is so moving for you. Emulate that. Share what you learn with others because lifting others up is essential to achieving success and being at peace while you learn. Be patient. I think one of the biggest sources of unhappiness for me in my journey has been comparing myself to people who are ahead of me, whether they are older, more experienced, or have a “better” job/more clients. I couldn’t have rushed myself to where I am now and I can’t rush myself to where I’ll be in 10 years. Believe in yourself, trust the process, and do the damn thing.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Micki Harris and I’m a freelance digital photographer working out of Chicago, Illinois. I’m a sober non-binary person who has always gravitated towards alternative communities like punk rock, tattooing, witchcraft, astrology, etc. My lifelong passion for music is what led me to where I am now – I got my start in live music photography and branched out from there, now taking on work for individuals, couples, brands, businesses, and artists. Live music is still my greatest love as both a human person and a photographer, but what’s remarkable is that I’ve watched the connections I’ve made through the music scene make way to other opportunities in my practice as a photographer. It turns out musicians also need headshots and have businesses and get married and start families and stuff! I love bringing fellow queer and alternative folks into areas of photography that are so dominated by the mainstream culture that excludes us just as much as I love using photography as a tool to help community members feel beautiful, special, and empowered.

Throughout my years working as a photographer, it’s become clear to me that while photography can be essential for almost everyone in particular life events or circumstances, a lot of people find it really intimidating and even scary to be photographed, especially by a professional. It’s something that is at the forefront of my mind when I arrive to a photoshoot. Being that I work with a lot of queer and trans people, creating an affirming and lighthearted environment as I’m pointing a camera at someone is my priority. I think I have a unique position as a trans person, whether my subject is queer or trans or not, to set an example for clients to be brave and have pride in who they truly are.

I believe photography is incredibly important and I try to help people re-think what getting their picture taken can be like. I try to make the experience feel like we’re just hanging out, being silly, and taking some photos. I have found that I can do that and ultimately deliver a gallery of powerful, intentionally crafted images. I’m proud of the way I show up for my clients with authenticity and I’m proud of the portfolio I’ve cultivated as a result.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think the most rewarding thing about being a photographer specifically is having the opportunity to be part of very intimate and memorable moments of people’s lives. Zooming out and thinking about being an artist at large, the fact that we’re creating something that will outlive us is so major. I genuinely think that to create is the meaning of life, whether it has to do with making artwork, starting a family, creating community – It looks different for all of us.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

It’s common to think that we’re all in competition with one another. Sometimes we actually are, like when other people are going for the same job as you or you’re competing in a literal contest, but most of the time we are all just trying to have enough, reach our definition of success, find peace. I’ve had to unlearn that in order for me to become successful, the people who are trying to accomplish the same thing as I am need to be less successful and therefore it’s justified to step on other people’s toes in the process. I really believe that the abundance mindset of there being enough success to go around not only brings us peace, but it creates a kinder and more connected world around us.

Contact Info:

Website: www.mickiharris.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/micki__harris
Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Photo by Briana Station

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Meet Micki Harris

Meet Micki Harris

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Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

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