Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Michelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had started sooner?

A part of me wished I started my photography journey sooner. I was in middle school when I first liked photography. But I didn’t pursue this path because I thought it was best to choose a “normal” job. As life went on, photography was still a hobby, and for a few years I did not touch my camera.
During a period of my young adult life, I went through a breakup. One advice to get through this tough time was to keep myself busy. I decided to get back into photography, but this time I told myself if I revisit this hobby, I have to pursue it fully. After I made the decision, I fell back in love with photography, it changed my life but more like it saved my life. For the last 6 years, it shifted the direction of my life; I created fun projects, I met amazing creative people, got offered opportunities I never would have imagined, and the most important thing to me, I was just enjoying what I loved doing.
When I think about how much I love photography, I wished I started earlier, but at the same time I wouldn’t have experienced this journey I lived through. So I think it was all perfect timing.

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?

I am a portrait photographer based in Minnesota. I mainly shoot portraits, couples, weddings, fashion and self portraits.

When I first got into photography, I thought I wanted to shoot nature and landscapes. Then in college, my black and white film class professor said my portraits were my best compared to my other work. From then on, that changed the course of my photography journey.

Through my portrait work, I create dreamy photos by telling stories; telling tales of love, boldness, courage, self love, playfulness. To tell your story is by being true to yourself. Every client that reaches out, I want to create photos that represent who they are because these are their memories to keep forever through still moments.

What I am most proud of is just pursuing my dreams. I have come a long way because I was scared to go after what I wanted for myself, having imposter syndrome, questioning if I’m good enough for my dreams. But I kept reminding myself while going after my dreams, “what I do and create is for me, and that brings me joy”. That’s all that matters.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I want to enjoy what I do, and to not be afraid to be me.

There are times where I compare myself to others, think I am not good enough, and believe I don’t deserve the great opportunities that come my way. But why? The internet moves fast and you see everyone creating. I see their growth and feel like I am behind. But then I remember, they are not me and I am not them. Everyone has their own uniqueness to their work that makes them good at what they do. I remind myself, I do too.

I was also afraid to be fully myself when I was younger and didn’t believe I could pursue my creative passions. I wasn’t sure if people would like my work. What if I am too much? What if people think my work is weird?
Over time when I focused on myself, when I created work I really enjoyed, people saw me and loved my art. I realized I am not like everyone else, and that is why those who support me and chose to follow me truly enjoy my work and me as an artist and person.

If I focus on myself, enjoy what I do, and choose to be true to myself, I can grow and create the best work for me. That is what drives my passion and has pushed me till this day.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As much as I love creating my art, the best part that comes from doing what I love is meeting and connecting with people. To have opportunities to shoot at different types of events, you get to network and meet many people and have different and amazing conversations. Social media has also helped me create friendships online that I wouldn’t be able to have otherwise. Watching my online friends grow over the years and see where they are, I have loved supporting their dreams as much as I have felt their support for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://michellelee-photography.mypixieset.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellelee.photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelleleephotograph

Image Credits

Krush, LOWKEN, M. Heurh Designs,