We recently connected with Michelle Mcdowell and have shared our conversation below.

MICHELLE, appreciate you joining us today. 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’ve always had a love for taking photos. My first camera was film when i was in my 20’s so I’ve always had a camera, but back my camera was stolen and then in the early the 2000’s maybe 2012, or 2013 I can’t remember exactly when but I got a small inexpensive hp digital camera and it was then that my love was rekindled. I fell in love with the fact that you could change the ISO (film speed) in a blink of an eye. From there I graduated to a crop sensor camera and it was a canon, then from there i really got serious, I then graduated to a full frame canon camera and I was just trying to photograph anything i could. a friend asked me to one day to photograph their wedding and while i did, i wasn’t very confident so my friend hired a photographer in addition to having me photographing it too. That was a lesson learned, never let the client see your insecurities, or fears. Knowing what I know now, to speed up my learning I probably would’ve went to a photography school, like an institution but at the time i took a few in-person photography courses, workshops, and then I networked to connect with other photographers. I joined different organizations like PPA, and just facebook groups, and reached out to other photographers to see if i could work with them, shadow them, or whatever to learn. The skills I feel essential for me were learning my camera, practice, practice, practice, willing to stretch yourself, the desire to soak up all that you can from others, and being flexible, I think the biggest obstacle that stood in my way is me, that impostor syndrome, not feeling good enough, smart enough, stylish enough, all those negative thoughts in your head, and the lack of confidence. as I mentioned earlier the friend that asked me to shoot their wedding, clearly they could tell i didn’t seem confident so they wanted to ensure their day was captured properly and they hired another photographer.

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

My love for photography goes back to my early 20’s, My first film camera was a Canon AE-1 Program 35mm Film Camera. I’ve always loved taking photos, but in 2006 received a digital camera as a gift and my love for this new technology of digital was born. I then decided to invest in a better digital camera and explore digital photography. I became so immersed in photography that a friend thought I would like a photographer she felt I would resonate with. That photographer was Jessica Claire. Jessica Claire photography gave photography a new and different approach to wedding photography which is what I gravitated to. From there a friend asked me to photograph her wedding and I was thrilled and nervous at the same time. Then my love for weddings was born. from 2006 I became a wedding photographer. I sort out other photographers on photography platforms, networking events and just surfing the internet. I would seek out black female photographers that I could learn from, gain experience and build relationships as well as other photographers that were willing to mentor me and work under them. I would take on jobs just to gain the experience and build a portfolio. Having the privilege to document a couple’s major milestone is a privilege and responsibility that I hold in high regard. While my first love was weddings around 2018/2019, I began to notice another need for photography some of clients were starting business and there was a need for photography for wedding industry professionals, small business owners, creatives, entrepreneurs, realtors, coaches, podcasters. My branding photography services that I provide help my clients to show up, stand out professionally, polished all while communicating a genuine, sincere, true self. I’m not afraid to let a potential client know they are not ready to work with me. I want to be just as genuine, real and transparent with my clients too and if I feel a client doesn’t have the foundation blocks for their brand I will tell them so. that’s where my questionnaire will be the tell all to if they are ready to take on the journey of a brand photography shoot. I will recommend a potential client establishes the foundation first. then come back and lets resume, but not before. Since branding photography is an investment and true your brand will evolve over time, you really need the foundational blocks so that you can evolve, if you don’t know who you serve, why you do it, and your values related to your brand, then you’ll never be able to progress properly because there will always be something that’s not established. I want my clients to be successful and I feel being transparent will help do that. My wedding experience and attention to detail I feel is an asset for my clients because I’m looking and thinking about those details that can uplevel their brand. I proud that I get to work with awesome clients and connect with female boss babes who inspire me and I inspire them and help them to feel confident, positive, relaxed and lively. My brand and values are a combination of big momma, cheerleader, supporter, mentor, partner, collaborator and friend all meshed together. I think this is another aspect of what sets me apart.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There are two lessons. One is, never let a potential client see you figuratively sweat. My friend who i mentioned earlier had hired me to shoot their wedding but she also hired another photographer because later on she told me that, I didn’t seem confident about shooting her wedding. As I mentioned i was thrilled but also nervous and I guess my nervousness got the best of me or was more outstanding than my enthusiasm. So I would encourage don’t let your client see or sense you’re not confident or that you might not have what it takes. couples that come to you are looking for a capable photographer and one they feel comfortable with. My second lesson would be, always have a consultation and just like the potential client is interviewing you, you also interview them. Because not every person is your client. When you have a feeling that a potential client might not be your client, you’re usually correct. My experience has been that when a potential client starts out being high maintenance, then they usually will be that way through the whole journey and that can be no fun. So shut it down quickly. It’s ok to let a potential client know that you might not be a good fit for them. Because it’s true that not everyone is our client. So don’t be afraid to say No.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is bringing satisfaction to my clients whether its their wedding journey of documenting their special day and/or the joy and smiles i bring to my clients who want to show up differently, show up better than they currently are showing up. to see their faces and to hear about how they get more visibility and notice on the social media platforms. To hear clients talk about their photos and how mych they love, and excited to use them is an awesome feeling. And just creating art in new and different ways how to make it better is a rewarding aspect of being a creative.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://michelledavinaphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle_davina_photo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelledavinaphotography/

Image Credits

Photo Credit of Michelle Davina: Tony McDowell