We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michelle Bongirno. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michelle below.
Alright, Michelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?
I think if we allowed kids to pick multiple interests when they were younger they could find their passions and strengths earlier in life. Everyone has a different way of learning than the normal structure although others thrive in that environment. I am one of the people that didn’t always thrive in such a structure setting. Very much a day dreamer, talker and not focused in topics I wasn’t interested. If we had more trade school available at a younger age we could set up so many more young peoples lives for success. Going to school for something I loved to do was such a great experience. I’m lucky to have had such a supportive family to allow me to go to school for photography. I took so many creative classes I would have never experienced if I wasn’t an art major. From finding out I love to paint, work with wood and other mediums I would have never experienced if I didn’t find something to be passionate about. Being surrounded by other creative people helped me so much strive to be the artist I am today.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
When I was in junior high I was at one of my best friend’s house and she had photos all over her walls and she said she wanted to be a photographer and I was like wait I also like taking photos! I want to be a photographer too and it set me on my journey of taking photos all the time and looking forward to the film to get developed. I took classes in college and found my love for developing my own film, prints and creating projects that were assigned. I’m most proud of sticking with it even when times in my business got hard. I really want my potential clients to know I really care about giving out a quality experience from start to finish. With the way I answer the phone to set up the session to the final product I’m giving back to them. One of my friends described my services as boutique experiences. I don’t rush the process, I value my clients time and memories.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of this work is being a part of capturing memories for people to have for a lifetime. It is really special to me every time someone likes my work enough to trust me to create what I see for their memories. Being able to use my creativity for this long has really been so amazing
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
So many friends, family, vendors and referrals from people I’ve worked with have been instrumental to me being able to have my business the last 12 years. I did have another job for the first half my career while shooting jobs on the weekends. I cannot express enough thanks for everyone who has ever referred me to someone, worked with me or thought of me when someone is in need a photographer.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.michellebongirno.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m_bongirnophoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleBongirnoPhotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-bongirno-b6821018/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/M_Bongirno
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfPsqpf_jMA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/michelle-bongirno-photography-apple-valley?osq=Michelle+Bongirno+Photography
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mbongirnophoto