Today we’d like to introduce you to Michaela Traylor.

Hi Michaela, 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?
As cheesy as it sounds, for as long as I can remember, I have been into photography. Growing up my parents had a digital camera and I used to love to take pictures with it. Then in the 5th grade I got my very own hot pink digital camera. I would take pictures of everything! Literally. Fast forward to 2016, I got a “point and shoot” camera. Nothing too crazy, just something to take more clear pictures for Instagram. That point in shoot had me wanting to up my game so in 2018, I purchased a Canon Rebel T6. The rebel was a great introduction to DSLR cameras. I started doing photo sessions for friends and families and within a year, I was booking sessions and needed to up my camera game even more. During May 2020, I remember specifically because of the pandemic and the sessions I had that week, I rented a Canon 5D Mark IV with a 24-70mm lens. I fell in LOVE. When I returned the camera after the 3 day rental period, I immediately purchased a new Canon 5D Mark IV with a 24-70mm lens. That camera allowed me to grow more than I could’ve imagined. From there, I started doing photography workshops and online courses and getting involved in Facebook groups with other photographers that matched my same vision. Christmas of 2022, I changed cameras again, this time I went Mirrorless! I purchased the Canon R6 with a 28-70mm lens. The mirrorless camera combined with my now nearly 10 years of experience has skyrocketed my work! But the camera and editing only does so much. Don’t get me wrong, it does do a lot. But the relationships I have built with my clients, the full session experience from booking to receiving their final gallery, all of it plays into building a successful and sustainable photography business.

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?
Overall, it actually has been relatively smooth. I believe this is because of how I approached becoming a photographer. I see people now who pick up a camera and instantly try to start charging hundreds of dollars for session with little to no experience. You have to build the experience and put in the time to learn and grow the craft if you want it to be successful. This is the approach I took and it worked out well for me!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a photographer. Specifically, I specialize in families, maternity, and newborns. I would say I am most known for maternity, then newborn, then families. Over the last two years my maternity clients have exploded and that is what people tend to seek me out to photograph and recommend me for. This next part is what I am most proud of and what sets me apart from others in a combined way. With being a maternity, newborn, and even family photographer, I have the chance to interact and help moms (and dads) as they transition into motherhood. And even some experienced mothers who come to me for advice. I am a mom myself. I am a huge advocate for helping new moms navigate their new lives. Whether that is advice with pregnancy, tips on newborns, breastfeeding, c-section recovery, understanding the signs of post-partum depression, you name it, I try to help! When someone books with me, they instantly become more than just “a client.” They’re now my friend. I am so proud of this because most photographers (that I have noticed) have a very business and professional only relationship with their clients. For my clients, they can call or text me anytime day or night. I believe building and nurturing these relationships is something that has helped my clients come back to me for years because they feel comfortable and as though I am more than just their photographer, I’m also their friend!

What does success mean to you?
Success is subjective. For me with photography, success is defined by my client’s truly loving their images, sharing them on social media, recommending friends and family to me, and then coming back time and time again to continue to use me to photograph their special moments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://michaelabostick.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelab.photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelaBostickPhotography/

Image Credits
All images were taken and edited by me!