Meet Joan Michel | Director & Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joan Michel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joan, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
It’s not about being “strong enough” or “quitting too early” it’s about listening to the right signals. Keep going if…
It still aligns with who you’re becoming, even if it’s hard. Consider letting go if… It’s draining your sense of self, not just your energy. Also: giving up and letting go are not the same thing. One is quitting on yourself. The other is choosing yourself. As a director, I ask myself Is this a moment that’s building the arc, or a scene that’s looping with no new information?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is rooted in storytelling, specifically, in finding the quiet, human moments that often get overlooked. I’m most drawn to stories about everyday people: their contradictions, their resilience, the small details that reveal something bigger. What sets my work apart is that I don’t approach people as subjects, but as collaborators in their own narrative. I care deeply about making the camera feel like a place of safety, not performance.

What I’m most proud of is not just the visuals I’ve created, but the trust I’ve built with the people I’ve filmed and photographed. When someone tells me they felt seen or understood through my work, that means more to me than any metric or accolade. Lately, I’m especially excited about pushing my work to feel even more intimate and intentional stripping things back, letting emotion and presence lead over spectacle.

Professionally, I didn’t arrive here through a straight or easy path. Like a lot of creatives, I learned by doing saying yes to opportunities before I felt fully ready, learning on set, making mistakes, and slowly refining my voice through repetition and reflection. There were moments of doubt, rejection, and comparison that made me question whether I belonged in this space at all. What helped me move through those challenges was reconnecting with why I started: a genuine curiosity about people and a need to tell stories that feel honest.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth doesn’t come from trying to look like everyone else it comes from leaning into what you naturally see and feel. I’ve also learned that patience is part of the process, and that consistency matters more than perfection. Showing up, even when the work feels small or unseen, is what builds a body of work you can stand behind.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that I’m here to tell stories with heart. I’m not interested in creating content that just looks good I want it to mean something. I want people to feel a sense of recognition in my work, like they’ve been gently reminded that their story matters too.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting, I’d give them a mix of Jersey City and NYC.

We’d start in Jersey City with coffee at Dames or Treehouse Cafe, a walk along the waterfront, and dinner at Next Door Provisions. In NYC, we’d wander SoHo and Nolita, grab donuts at The Donut Pub, catch a film at Lincoln Square or any indie theater, and end nights with cocktails at Amore.

For me, the magic of this area is the contrast, big city energy, quiet moments, great food, art everywhere, and stories around every corner. That’s what makes it unforgettable.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d dedicate my shoutout to my father, Elmer and the mentors, like Mr. Federico, Bob Foster, and Paul Yee. Collaborators would be Paola Esquivel-Oliveros, Dan Chiesa, Dylan Schroth, and many more. And friends who believed in my voice before it felt fully formed such as Donia Khalifa. In a space that can be tough and competitive, their generosity and encouragement made all the difference. I’m also grateful to the storytellers who showed me that quiet, human stories matter, they shaped how I see the world and why I create.

Website: https://www.joan-michel.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanmichel/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-michel/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@joanmichel

Image Credits
Dan Chiesa, Lucas Van Cott, Walter Orellana, Shawn Bruce, Safal Shrestha, Lee Reyes