Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Varela.
Hi Michelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have 10 years of experience doing photography. I’ve worked in Chicago, NYC, Georgia, Wisconsin, California, and several parts of Florida with countless clients. I’ve done over 300 weddings and hundreds of different types of photoshoots ranging from family, newborn, maternity, engagement, and lifestyle. I’ve always been a creative+ artist at heart, I played piano and violin for 5+ years in grade and high school but when I started traveling out of the country in college, taking photographs was just something that brought inspiration and clicked with me.
After posting some of my work on social media, I started receiving interest for different types of shoots but I really started by focusing on fashion/editorial photoshoots with models and different vendors (makeup artists, designers, hairstylists, and clothing boutiques) in the industry to work together on different types of projects where no one was there for the money but strictly donating their time and skills for the portfolio growth. After doing that for a while, I got very comfortable with the camera, started getting consistent paid work, and never stopped learning.
I was hired by Godaddy to take pictures of businesses for online exposure (still work with them) and When I moved to Chicago, I rented a studio space and did a lot of studio work for kids, maternity, families, etc., and really enjoyed that. After being in Chicago for three years, I moved to California for a year where I did a lot of weddings and photoshoots outside because of the beautiful weather and amazing locations.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoy natural lighting though, and consider myself to work best on location.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think all struggles are meant to build you up, I have definitely had my share of experiences but I’m grateful for them because they definitely gave me the skills to work with all types of people today. After getting into the wedding industry, I gave myself the goal of 20 weddings for the year and surpassed it by booking 25.
I did 20 because statistically, a successful wedding photographer does 20 weddings per year but I quickly learned that not every person interested is the right client for you. I was young, inexperienced but excited to dive into weddings and as I got experienced I became more particular in who I worked with. I learned that chemistry is so important between the client and the photographer in order to create magic, as well as being specialized in the type of project that they are looking for.
My struggles along the way helped me evolve. today I focus on doing intimate weddings and elopements and only take on projects between clients that there is clear chemistry with.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
While I will always practice photography by taking pictures of my kids, of travels and such I only take on work that I feel I could really contribute something special too. I focus on small weddings and elopements and I also still work as a contractor for Godaddy Photography.
However, I have a Master’s degree in Business and recently started a new career path in real estate which has really been an amazing experience thus far. I currently wear different hats at a real estate brokerage doing interior design, coaching agents, recruitment, marketing, and anything that assists in building the brokerage as it is fairly new. I think my 10 years of experience running a profitable photography business, working with businesses and different people has very much provided me the skillset to take off in my present role.
It has been quite exhilarating as I am able to use my creative side and love for design, architecture but also use my passion for helping others by assisting in building their dream career in real estate to helping people find their dream home. I am 100% sure I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Passion, optimism, drive, a desire to improve and learn, creativity, and self-discipline are all qualities and characteristics that are important to my success.
I learn something new every single day and I love that. I love reading, and genuinely helping people not for the money but for the fulfillment. I strive to become the best version of myself and to achieve that I set intentions, I meditate which is so important when you have a busy life because you cannot pour from an empty cup.
Staying optimistic and having a steady drive are also two qualities detrimental to success in both real estate and photography. I learned very fast that when you are passionate about what you do your work doesn’t feel like work. When you genuinely love what you do, you’ll never “work” a day in your life.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.mjvphotography.com
- Instagram: @michellejohanna_
Image Credits
Yanira Cardona
