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

Michelle , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

In 2013, I moved to Chicago without a job and nothing really planned at all except a determination to leave my home town- Dayton, Ohio. I graduated from The Ohio State University in 2013 obtaining a BFA in Dance. Promptly after graduating I had my sights set on Chicago so I attended Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s summer Intensive in the hopes of jump starting my dance career and getting a feel for the Chicago area. After the intensive I moved to Chicago with one of my close friends. I danced professionally with numerous companies in the City- Joel Hall Dancers, Aerial Dance Chicago, Lyric Opera, Winifred Haun, and Banks Performance Project. During my time dancing and Performing with Aerial Dance Chicago, I started to shift into doing photography. At the time photography was a way for me to express myself artistically in a different way and make additional income on the side. As the years went by and I stuck with photography, I begun to realize this was becoming something bigger than I had expected. I was investing a lot more time (and money) so I could grow my art. In 2020, during the pandemic, I decided I wanted to freelance full-time which I did and I’m now still freelancing three years later. I think taking risks is so important for anyone but especially artists. The industry is already unpredictable so being safe is never an option. Had I not taken the risk to leave my hometown, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today. Taking a risk is also taking a leap of faith and trusting yourself in everything you do. I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur . I knew the corporate 9-5 life wasn’t my calling so continued to stick with what I knew would bring the most joy to my life despite what others were doing with their life. I think when you find yourself unsure about big move just try to ask yourself what not making that move will look like and visualize everything you want in your life.

Michelle , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a portrait photographer who specializes in dance and events. I come from a background in dance so transitioning to dance photography allowed me a new way to express my love for dance and meet and collaborate with other dance artists. During a portrait session I want my clients to feel confident and beautiful. During a photoshoot, I strive to capture their essence and affirming them in their unique capabilities. My work is colorful and creative. I enjoy trying new techniques and drawing inspiration from nature. The colors I used are expressed not only in backdrops but in lighting as well. I also enjoy experimenting with in camera shooting techniques to give my image a creative feel. I’m always eager to learn new things and collaborate with other artists.

Along with being a photographer I also train in aerial silks and perform silk and lyra for performances and private special events. I’ve always enjoyed doing more than one thing. My other creative outlet is Jewelry making. I started making jewelry during the pandemic as a way to get my mind off of things but it became. a new side job after posting a few images and both friends and fans were interested in purchases some of my pieces! My plan is to one day create unique jewelry pieces for a photo series.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I believe it is necessary for people to understand and respect art because it is literally everywhere. So many things in society would not exist without artists. Even things as simply as a desk, a chair and even the roof over our heads. These things would not exist without an artistic mindset. I think people can also support artists by supporting a local performance and even giving to dance companies or donating to organizations that help artists. Encourage your friends and family to support small businesses!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part about being a creative is doing what I love to do for a living. Part of this also comes with being able to share my love of art with others. It brings me joy seeing how my art impacts others lives. A portrait session not only provides new images to someones portfolio but It’s also gives a chance for the client/subject to express themselves, focus their mind on something positive and gain confidence in themselves. I truly cannot image not being an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mreidphotog.com
• Instagram: Mreidphotog
• Facebook: Mreid Photography
• Other: Other IG links: Aerial Silks @mreidaerial Jewelry @mreidbeautybeads

Image Credits
First image (photo of myself) photo by Chloe Hamilton Sample work images Dancer jumping against blue backdrop- Alexandra Best for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Dancer with green backdrop- Alyssa Allen Black and white/red image- Josephine Castillo Darker image with green backdrop- Nia Davis Dancer with canvas backdrop outside- Michele Dooley Black and white image- Ashaand Simone Performer on aerial pole- Heather Dart Duet photo- Dancers Alice Klock and Florian Lochner for Flockworks