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

Hi Michelle, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Doing what I love for a living was the single most powerful step for me in achieving success. This was instilled at a young age and I will never forget it..Also being consistent and never giving up.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a self taught professional photographer that appreciates outdoor lighting. My job is to make my clients as comfortable as possible as their light shines so brightly when they are. I love taking candid shots as well. Sometimes those can depict their feelings even more than posing.

I started my company in 2005 after a difficult point in my life. I had traveled to Italy by myself and came home with an entirely new perspective. Taking photos, editing, sending them to clients, selling canvases and prints has helped me to actually ” see” myself and all I am capable of. Sometimes we get lost in our “pain”, and struggle to see the joy. Countless times in my life this hobby I have turned into a business has redirected my focus, reminded me to be present and count my multiple blessings.

What I would most like to share with the world about my brand is that anything is truly possible. Get out of your head about what you can or can’t do… Remember you can decide right now what you’re capable of. Don’t limit yourself. Dream BIG.
I love lifting others, helping any way I can, being a LIGHT in the darkness.

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 was in town I would take her to a delicious dinner, maybe some live music, or a comedy show in Hermosa Beach!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been blessed to be surrounded by many people in my life that have shaped who I have become. In my early twenties I found a love for inspirational books with so many authors to choose from including Napolean Hill, Wayne Dyer, Brian Tracy, Marianne Willamson, Michelle Obama to name a few. My dad was also an entrepreneur so I think I was born with the drive in my bones. I knew I wanted to love my work, beat to my own drum, become a master at my trade and share my gifts with the world. I am so lucky to be able to take my hobby of capturing precious moments in people & experiences and be able to tell a story with it. In addition I am a Professional Massage Therapist and Yoga Instructor. I knew when I was quite young that I had the gift and intuition to help others heal. My degree was in Kinesiology, specializing in Exercise Science. I feel utterly blessed to love my work and hope it inspires you to do the same.

Website: https://www.photosbymichellemarie.com

Instagram: Michelle_MariePhotography

Facebook: Michelle Marie Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.