“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.” –Mark Riboud
It all started with a small 110 film camera. Michelle Wolf of Michelle Reed Photography fell in love with savoring life through photos when she received this camera from her parents as a young child. For more than 18 years, she has been professionally photographing families, weddings, children and pets, and it is an honor and a privilege to have this national award-winning photographer capturing life intensely right here in Naples. As summer comes to a close and another new school year begins, reading this interview with Michelle will show you exactly why she is the perfect photographer to help create and memorialize the stories that are happening in this season of your family’s life.
What was your career path? How did you get from being an aspiring photographer to actually doing it full-time?
I have had a passion for photography since I was a young child. At the age of 12, I was developing black-and-white film in my closet. When my son was born 22 years ago, it seemed like the perfect time to pursue a career in the photography industry. I started my career as a children's and family photographer. Trevor, my son, would accompany me in the evenings for family photo shoots. He would bring his sand toys in his backpack and would play in the sand until I finished my session.
Occasionally when I had a challenging child, Trevor would step in and save the day as he jumped around in the sand and made my clients smile.
Which photographers influenced you, and how did they influence your thinking, photographing and career path?
Annie Leibovitz is one of the all-time great photographers. I have always admired her. She captures the true essence of her subject, and she tells the story through her lens. I love that!
What exactly do you want to say with your photographs, and how do you actually get your photographs to do that?
With every photograph that I take, I want to tell a story. The secret is helping your client relax. Once I have gained their trust and they have relaxed, I am able to create the story.
How do you get the person, place or thing that is in front of the camera onto the film in just the way you want?
It is my goal to put my clients at ease when they are in front of my camera. As a person who hates to be photographed, I understand how difficult it can be to relax and enjoy the experience. If my clients are comfortable, I am able to capture their true personality.
From your point of view, what makes a great photo?
100% emotion!
Why did you choose to include kids and animals in your work? What is most important to consider while photographing children and/or animals?
As a mom, I love kids. As a horse person and dog owner, I love animals, so why not illustrate my love for them through my work?
Is there something you always ask or say to yourself just before you push the button?
I always ask myself if the pose and facial expression is flattering.
What is the most important thing you personally gain from your work, regardless of other people’s approval/purchases/recognition?
The most important thing for me is knowing that I have created a family heirloom that my clients will cherish for a lifetime.
What motivates you to continue taking photos?
I absolutely love it when I have a client that hates to be photographed and they claim that they have never had a good photograph taken of themselves. That motivates me to capture the most amazing photos of that person and prove to them that they are beautiful.
How has photography influenced you as a person?
Owning my own photography business has taught me so much about life and people. There have been challenges along the way, like with any business, but the rewards have been abundant. I have had the pleasure of working with the rich and famous and also the homeless. It has been a wonderful journey that I will treasure forever.
What is one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?
I wish that someone would have told me to invest in the best possible camera that I could have afforded at the time.
If you could take your art in any direction without fear of failure or rejection, where would it lead?
I have been in the wedding industry for 20 years, and I have been very blessed to have been able to photograph all over the country and also abroad as a wedding and portrait photographer. At this time in my career as a professional photographer, I have shifted my focus from weddings to portrait and commercial photography. That is the beauty of photography.
28140 Meadowlark Lane
Bonita Springs
239.566.9797