“When I stepped into Michelle’s studio for the first time I was immediately taken with the creativity and originality of the space. The front room was open and airy. A large window was lightly draped in sheer white curtains, through which sunlight poured onto the south wall, made entirely of pink, yellow and peach flowers. Opposite the window, a wooden egg shaped chair, decorated with satin pillows, awaited me.

Before we talked about the upcoming shoot, Michelle wanted to get to know me as a person. She asked me questions about my life and how I felt at the present moment. She asked me if I was happy– a difficult question for me to answer at the time. I felt an instant connection with her, as though we were old friends picking up where we left off, though we had only just met.

We brainstormed ideas based on a selection of photographs she asked me to collect and share to show her my particular tastes and interests. I had come in to have boudoir photographs taken and displayed in an album to give my husband for Valentine’s Day. I wanted something natural and minimalist, yet regal and classy. She was eager to experiment with shadow and light for the black and white photographs and integrate strips of fabric in warm and cool colors. She showed me a variety of backgrounds we could use to achieve the effects I was looking for. She also encouraged me to stretch myself beyond my current vision, involving me directly in the creative process. We were both eager to begin.

On the day of the shoot I found myself feeling a little apprehensive about being photographed in sensual and seductive poses. Was it really me to do this sort of thing? Was I beautiful

enough? What was my body going to look like on camera? I thought about my chubby arms, the stretch marks on my stomach, and pink parallel scars on my back from a recent surgery. But as soon as I saw Michelle, these feelings dissipated and I relaxed into the calm energy of her home. I wandered over to the right of the staircase where racks of textured clothing, strips of fabric, ball gowns, and elegant robes hung in shades of red, among the stark blacks, deep blues, and crisp whites. Satin, chiffon, lace, sheer and opaque, the material swayed as I sifted through them one by one.

She led me back to a room filled with props suitable for a masquerade ball with arrangements of silver and gold painted roses draped with pearls. Fedoras and cloche hats reminiscent of the roaring 20’s peppered the tables and walls. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Gatsby and Daisy themselves walked in through the sliding glass doors. There I would have my makeup done by a professional makeup artist. She worked meticulously and gently, and when she handed me the mirror, I felt like Hollywood. My lips were painted a soft-bitten red, my cheekbones accentuated with shadowy rouge, and my dark brown eyes shone like stained glass, their almond shapes outlined with jet black. My eyelids were tinted light blue and silver, my eyebrows in perfect arches above them.

We began with my headshot as a warm-up and then moved into the more intimate portion of the shoot as she handed me a satin robe and draped the floor with pieces of black chiffon. She changed the backgrounds and lighting several times as we moved through the shoot while I moved freely and intuitively throughout the room. Rather than posing me, she photographed me in different contexts and allowed my natural reactions to take the lead. As I acclimated to the changing scenes, I became lost in thought. She had mentioned that the best photographs come from the act of “thinking something”, and this wisdom allowed me to sink deeper into the experience.

It was, in fact, the experience that stuck with me. The power of the process overshadowed the hope of a specific outcome. I felt like my authentic self, and was able to stand in my own beauty. A couple of weeks after the shoot, Michelle invited me over to view the photographs and make my selections. When I arrived she had slides prepared, showcasing the photographs she found most striking. I was taken aback by how gorgeous they were. She had captured my sensuality with such purity and intimacy, I was stunned to see myself as a work of art. I couldn’t believe I projected such beauty to the outside world when I was just “thinking something”. I saw myself accurately for the first time. The black and white photos were classic film noir, holding a sense of mystery within their shadows. I immediately selected those as first choices, until I saw them in color. These pieces were stunning and reflected a more vibrant side of me. Modern and bright with blue and charcoal backgrounds brought out the smoothness of my skin and lit up the golden tones in my hair. Though the photos were magazine quality, they maintained a sense of artistry one would not find in that format.

It was difficult to choose from the incredible variety of images, as each photograph represented a different facet of my personality. We discussed each one and the reasons I was drawn to specific photographs over others, which helped guide me through the decision-making process. My final collection was deeply satisfying, though I longed for the ones I declined. Michelle sees the beauty and possibility in everything and everyone. I have seen much of her work centered around women and each of them tell a personal story. They are like little vignettes of a woman’s journey, poetic and symbolic. The way she holds herself. The feeling in her eyes. The memories she carries with her that have made her who she is today. Michelle is a compassionate and deeply feeling person with a keen eye and empathic heart. I felt seen and known by her during our time together and am forever grateful for the experience she gave me. An experience that has changed my impression of my body, gifted me with wisdom and perspective. She captured an innate feeling in me, which I previously believed was reserved for a “certain kind of woman” I could never be. She has shown me the soulful nature of my form. When I saw myself in her work, I realized that I am the woman I have always wanted”
-April