We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Robertson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Michelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
When I started my photography business, my goal was to create beautiful images for my clients. I never thought much about what that would mean to people though. Having teenagers myself, I understood how important it was to build their confidence and show them what we see.
The story that comes to mind is one of my Class of 2017 grads, Alli. While my clients love having the digital images, they love the artwork I create even more. Alli and her mom, Lisa, ordered a beautiful image box which holds 12 double sided prints. As they sat together on the sofa, Lisa’s eyes filled with tears at the beauty of her daughter, who would be graduating soon. Then Alli said “Wow, I really am pretty!” Then she stopped for a second, and was a little ashamed thinking she shouldn’t be saying that. It was in that moment I realized I was going far beyond just creating beautiful pictures, I also had the opportunity to build self confidence in these teenagers. Both Lisa and I assured her that it was perfectly fine to say she’s pretty, and to feel pretty! Teens can be so hard on themselves, and it is a wonderful moment to show them how beautiful, smart, and talented they really are.
As the years have passed, I have seen this scenario so many times with both male and female students. Nearly every high school and college senior comments about how amazing they look and how I “make them look good.” Well, some of that is my skill, but I cannot “make” someone pretty. They look amazing before I ever click the shutter! All I do is capture that in a different medium, something physical that they can see. After 15 years in business, it has become my mission to help build the confidence in every one of my clients, regardless of age.
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?
Of course! My name is Michelle Robertson. I’m a professional photographer specializing in portrait sessions for teens, senior pictures, and college graduates. I started Magical Memories by Michelle in 2009, and while I used to work in many genres, over the years I found that I truly love working with teens and young adults.
My portrait sessions mostly take place on-location, often outside, but sometimes indoors in fun places like record stores or ice cream shops. I try my best to get to know every client before the session, because I believe it helps them open up in front of the camera and trust me. If you read my reviews, almost every parent states that I “perfectly capture their senior’s personality” and that is my primary goal. I don’t want to change your teen, I want to show them at their absolute best, doing what they love, and celebrating an important milestone like graduation!
In this digital age, many photographers offer only digital images, leaving the clients to print their own pictures. But we all know how that ends up…the photos sit on a USB in a desk drawer or stored on your computer, never to be printed and enjoyed as you had intended. For some clients, life is really busy and for others it is overwhelming to choose favorite images. Quite often it’s both! So I offer a full line of gorgeous products that every parent will love! The session doesn’t end when we’re done shooting. We meet again once the images are professionally edited and retouched so I can help you select favorites, choose prints for your walls, create gorgeous heirloom albums, select gifts for family members, and even design custom graduation announcements and invitations. My job is to make this time in your life less stressful. You’re busy, so let me handle this for you so you can enjoy your family. I promise you’ll love being able to see your favorite smiling face on your wall or coffee table every day!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
When I started my photography journey, DSLR cameras were first growing in popularity. Most professional photographers would never dream of giving away digital files, and focused solely on printed artwork. This group, while very helpful in the beginning, was also very critical. While criticism is often necessary growth, it stunted my creativity because I was so afraid of making a mistake. After a few years, feeling confident that I understood photography, I left the group and continued serving my clients and growing my business. It wasn’t until last year that I truly understood how much all that criticism and negativity affected me.
I’m color deficient, and that group would nitpick over skin tones and critique every single pixel, making me hate colors. It was stressful and while I loved working with clients, I was always terrified of making a mistake. Last year I took a lighting seminar where I learned to work with colored gels. That allows me to change the color of the light and create stunning photos that really push my creativity. The first day of the seminar I made a comment that I hated colors, I can’t see what everyone else sees, and I have no confidence in my ability to use color in a creative way. After only 3 days that all changed! I was confident enough to try some fun ideas with a senior client who wanted edgy senior photos. I struggled just a bit, but once we got going it was incredible! However, I was still very nervous that what I was doing would be considered “wrong.” I sent a few samples to my mentor who taught the seminar and she erased every bit of doubt! While everything wasn’t perfect, she was thrilled that I was willing to try new things! That began a year of playing with lights and colors, trying new things, and creating unique, jaw-dropping senior portraits that my clients love! I really wish I had let go of that perfectionism earlier in my career because it has been life changing!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My reputation as one of Arizona’s top senior portrait photographers has come from years in the business serving our community. While some of my reputation came from word of mouth, more often it was strangers hiring me hoping for a wonderful experience for their teen. I ask every client (both parent and senior) to leave a Google review, and many often do. Where is the first place you look when you’re searching for a service? If someone suggests a company, I bet you still check their online reviews! Well, when you’re a small business and have nearly 100 5-star Google reviews, potential clients are almost guaranteed to look at your website. From there, they’ll look at my work and decide if they want to contact me. Once we talk though, 90% of the time my clients will schedule their session because they can hear the excitement in my voice! They can tell that I truly love what I do and how excited I get for every graduation session! Of course this doesn’t happen overnight, but by creating an amazing stress-free experience combined with beautiful photography, I have become a trusted business owner that families seek out when they’re looking for a senior portrait photographer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://magicalmemoriesbymichelle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mm.michelle.pix/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagicalMemoriesByMichelle
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magical-memories-by-michelle/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLpBiP_gJxfSN5iR0hECLwA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/magical-memories-by-michelle-mesa-4
- Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/magicalmemoriesbymichelle
Image Credits
Photos of me as well of client photos are taken by Magical Memories by Michelle.
Product photos were taken by Xavier Soza.