Michelle Moore, Teen Portrait & Fashion Photographer (Video)

iaam Exclusive
Questions and answers with professionals who have unique and exciting jobs: Michelle Moore, Teen Portrait & Fashion Photographer.

iaam: How did you launch your professional photography career at age 19?
Michelle: I knew what I wanted to do, and decided to go for it.  I wasn’t full time until I was 21, but I was definitely making money (not much) my sophomore year of college when I was 19.  I actually didn’t know I wanted photography to be my career but I got my feet wet shooting local bands at their shows, and for their promos.  A friend of mine asked me to come take photos of their band when I was 19, and that’s how I fell into working as a photographer.  My career really started because of that, and eventually I turned to other kinds of photography – weddings, babies, family portraits, and then fashion & high school senior portraits.

iaam: What experience helped you to take a leap to become a professional photographer?
Michelle: Working in retail taught me a lot about customer service, and interacting with people on a daily basis.  It also gave me a great skill set for sales, and meeting new people.  I loved the responsibility I had working in retail (I worked mainly at small privately-owned boutiques) so I was able to gain a lot of expertise managing and completing many tasks on a daily basis.
I also completed a short internship with a photographer who specialized in stock photography.  While that is an entirely different kind of photography I work in, it gave me a lot of knowledge and experience with producing – which is a key element I need to manage my fashion shoots.  I also picked up a lot of knowledge about editing and workflow from that photographer, and I am very fortunate for the things I learned simply by asking lots of questions and seeking out answers.

iaam: How did you fund your early career?
Michelle: I was very fortunate to have hand-me down equipment already available to me from my dad.  Having access to the gear I needed from the get-go was a huge advantage to my career, but is not at all a deterrent from getting started.  There are plenty of affordable camera systems to get you started, and many great places (local or online) to rent from while you build up your cash flow.
I also worked part-time (in retail) all through college, so I had a job to keep me afloat while I started my early career.  Eventually it became too much to juggle working retail, and trying to be a photographer, so I made the leap into full-time photography, and just vowed to make it work.  Four years later, and I’m still doing photography as my full-time career.

iaam: How early in your life you were exposed to photography?
Michelle: My mom and dad have always been photographers, so I have been around it my entire life.  It wasn’t until high school that I got my first camera, and I used to take pictures of clouds out my window.

iaam: How did you perfect your photography skills?
Michelle: I like to think this is something that I am always working on, and constantly trying to improve.  When I first started out I plugged at least 4 or 5 hours a day in Photoshop, and would try and photograph something as often as I could (almost every day!).  It’s all about practice, practice, practice!!!

iaam: What does your typical day look like?
Michelle: I get up pretty early, reply to emails, get a run in if I can, then either spend the afternoon doing a shoot, or if not shooting, I’m running errands, editing, blogging , booking clients, and producing fashion shoots.  There is always TONS of work to be done when you work for yourself – it’s never ending!

iaam: What are the best and exciting parts of your job?
Michelle: I love producing and creating fun editorial and fashion shoots.  I love planning and organizing things, and seeing them come together.  It’s very rewarding.  I am also extremely passionate about my high school seniors, because nothing is a greater feeling than how great a client feels about themselves after a shoot with us.  I love being able to show my clients how gorgeous they are on the inside and out, and giving them an experience they will remember for a lifetime.  Those moments are what I strive to achieve on a daily basis.

iaam: What are the things you like least about your job?
Michelle: Taxes and paperwork are always the things anyone likes the least!  I’m hoping to out-source these tasks in the near future because they are not my strong suit!  I believe, if you don’t have the time to learn something you can have someone else do better – then find someone to outsource to, so you can focus on your strengths in your business.

iaam: How did you learn to run your own photography business?
Michelle: I am very fortunate to have some excellent mentors in my life, but a lot of it has been trial and error.  Never be afraid to put yourself out there and try something.  Learn from your mistakes and successes.  I’ve learned the hard way many times, and adjusted my business practices over and over again until I’ve gotten it just right.  There are always things I’m learning, and I’m still adjusting – although quite less than I did when I started out.  I have also read many books on marketing, being a small business owner, and learned from my peers and mentors. 

iaam: What music do you like to listen while working?
Michelle: When I’m doing a fashion shoot, I love to rock out to pop/dance music – the cheesier the better!  But really, I do have good taste in music too   I was a music junkie all through high school, but lately I find I get the most work done in the office when it’s silent.  I already have a million thoughts racing through my head, and I need to focus on work most of the time.  I’ll crank up the rock/alternative/dance/etc/ when I’m driving, cooking, running, cleaning or waiting for a client to arrive.

iaam: What advice would you give to young adults who are passionate about photography and want to be a professional photographer?
Michelle: Shoot everyday, work hard, shoot some more, learn, read, study, pay attention to light, the small details, watch movies, read, study, and shoot some more!  If that sounds like too much work, then find something else you are passionate about.  It is a lot of hard work to be a full-time photographer on your own, but if you LOVE it, then it won’t seem like work.  I probably put in at least 80+ hours a week doing what I do, but don’t be discouraged.  Everyone has a passion inside them, and there is nothing wrong with finding that at 16 or 60.  I was very lucky to stumble upon what I truly loved at a young age, but who knows what I may be doing 20 years from now.  Maybe studying oceanography and saving the world from climate change?!

iaam: What tips would you give to amateur photographers?
Michelle: Have fun, never take what you do too seriously, and don’t undervalue your art or your time.

To learn more about Michelle Moore and her excellent photography tips check out her blog here or a newly launched fashion blog for teens here.