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What It Actually Means When I Say My Sessions Are a Safe Space
I use this phrase a lot. Safe space. Inclusive environment. A place where everyone is welcome. And I mean every single word of it but I also think it deserves more than just a line in a bio or a hashtag at the bottom of a post. So let me tell you what it actually means when I show up for you. First, a confession. I am a photographer and I still get nervous being on the other side of a camera. I know what it feels like to hold your breath right before the shutter clicks. I kno

Michaela
Sep 43 min read


Your session is going to be chaos...and it's okay.
Your Kids Are Going to Melt Down and Your Dog Is Going to Lose Its Mind. Here's Why That's Completely Fine. Let me paint you a picture. You've been looking forward to your family session for weeks. You've picked the outfits, you've chosen the location, you've mentally prepared everyone involved. And then the morning of, your toddler decides that today is the day they are absolutely not cooperating with anything, your dog has apparently forgotten every single thing they've eve

Michaela
Aug 283 min read


For Everyone Who Has Ever Said "I'm Just Not Photogenic"
I hear this one constantly. It comes up in DMs, in discovery calls, in casual conversations when someone finds out what I do for a living. Someone will ask about booking a session and then immediately follow it up with some version of "I just don't think I photograph well" or "the camera hates me" or "I always look so awkward in photos." I want to talk about this because I think it's one of the most common things holding people back from having photos of themselves that they

Michaela
Aug 143 min read


Why the Prettiest Location Isn't Always the Right One
When people start thinking about where to shoot their session, the conversation usually goes one of two ways. Either they have no idea and feel overwhelmed by the options, or they've already decided on the most scenic spot in the city because it looks great on Instagram. Both are totally valid starting points. But I want to offer a different way of thinking about it — because the location that makes the best photos isn't always the one with the most obvious wow factor. Locati

Michaela
Jul 312 min read


What to Wear to Your Photo Session (And What to Leave in the Closet)
I have been asked this question more times than I can count and I will never get tired of it because honestly it's a great question and the answer matters more than people think. What you wear to your session affects how you feel in your session. And how you feel in your session affects every single photo. So let's talk about it properly. The only rule that actually matters. Wear something you would actually put on on a normal Saturday. That's it. That's the foundation everyt

Michaela
Jul 172 min read


What Actually Happens When You Book a Session With Me
I think there's a version of a photo session that lives in a lot of people's heads. A photographer barking directions, a lot of awkward standing around, someone telling you to angle your chin down and to the left while you try to look natural and failing completely. That is not what happens when you book with me. Not even close. Let me walk you through what it actually looks like. First, we just hang out. I mean this literally. When we first get together I am not immediately

Michaela
Jul 32 min read


5 Reasons to Stop Saying You Need to Lose Weight Before You Book a Photo Session
I hear this one a lot. More than almost anything else. Someone will reach out, we'll have a great conversation, and then right before they commit they say some version of it: "I just want to lose a little weight first." Or I'll be at an event and somebody will lean in after I took their photo and say "you can work your magic and take 10 or 20 pounds off right?"
I get it. I really do. Being in front of a camera is vulnerable.

Michaela
Jun 193 min read


AI: is it actually going to put me out of a job?
If you’ve spent any time on the internet lately, you’ve seen the headlines. AI can now generate "perfect" portraits of people who don’t exist, swap out a cloudy sky for a sunset in three seconds, and even write a halfway decent caption for your Instagram post. Everybody is putting themselves in one of a thousand new trends and getting AI to generate them as a cartoon, riding a unicorn with a six pack. As a photographer, I get asked about this a lot. Usually, it’s some version

Michaela
Mar 163 min read


Your Session Preparation Guide: Everything you need (and want) to know before your shoot!
I am so glad we’re doing this! I know that being in front of a camera can feel a little vulnerable, but my goal is for you to forget I’m even there. We aren't here to create a "perfect" version of your life; we’re here to capture the honest, beautiful reality of it. I've put together a quick little list to help ease your mind and getting you feeling super prepared for our time together! 1. The ultimate burning question: what should I wear? Forget the matching white t-shirts

Michaela
Mar 163 min read


Looking for a safe space photo session? Look no further!
How I work to create safe and inclusive spaces for all of my clients We’ve all been there—the split second before the shutter clicks when you instinctively hold your breath, stiffen your shoulders, and put on your "camera face." It’s a defense mechanism. Being photographed is an act of vulnerability, and for many of us, showing up as our raw, unfiltered selves feels a lot like standing on stage to perform a monologue for the first time without a script. If you’ve been searchi

Michaela
Mar 122 min read


From Family Memories to Professional Passion: My Photography Journey
Photography has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It’s not just a hobby or something I do to pay the bills; it’s a thread woven through my family history and personal experiences. This post is a little peek into how my journey shaped who I am today and why I am passionate about capturing moments through my lens. Early Exposure to Photography in My Family Growing up, cameras were always within reach. My parents never missed a chance to capture not only the

Michaela
Mar 123 min read


Beyond the Lens: Why I focus on connection instead of perfection
For a long time, I thought my job as a photographer was to be a curator of utmost perfection. I thought it was about finding the ideal light, correcting the pose, and delivering a set number of "flawless" digital files.But the more time I spent behind the lens, the more I realized that perfection is actually the least interesting thing about us and honestly makes for a lot of boring images. I mean who really wants to scroll through another friend/family members facebook post

Michaela
Mar 122 min read
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