Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Popp.
Michelle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been obsessed with taking pictures ever since I was a little girl, although it wasn’t until 2011 when my dad past away that I began to pursue my passion for photography professionally. My dad was my hero. He believed I could do anything. While this was the most incredibly saddest time in my life, it gave me comfort to look back at photographs; on a lifetime of captured moments of him. Every photo took me through the emotions, meaningful events of his life, and the day to day simple moments. Whether it was him carefree as a little boy, grinning from ear to ear on his wedding day to my mom, holding me on his lap as a baby, the emotional hug giving me away on my wedding day, I will always have those memories to treasure and hold near and dear to my heart. That’s the beautiful thing about memories, no one can ever take them from away from you.
During that time, reality hit hard that life is too short not to pursue your dreams. Having my own photography business was always my dream, so I decided to make it a reality. I began researching and learning all there was to learn about photography and taking photos at every chance I got. In 2013, I officially started my photography business and did photography part time. By 2014, I quit my full time job to pursue photography full time and stay home with my boys.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It took a while to get where I am today and to find a good balance between work and family, and providing a decent income for my family. I still struggle with the balance some days, but I am at a much better place than I was first starting out. Owning your own business has an enormous amount of perks, but it also has downfalls too like not ever being fully able to disconnect.
Please tell us about Michelle Popp Photography.
I provide a luxury portrait experience specializing in newborn, maternity, family, and wedding photography.
The experience includes a pre session consultation to discuss hopes for session, personalized styling and use of my client wardrobe, professional hair & make-up services, and a design appointment where we will work together to decide which collection and products best suite my client’s needs. All clients walk away with timeless, heirloom quality art pieces that tell the beautiful moments of their family’s story.
I have a light and airy aesthetic to my work and I am drawn to emotion filled images, beautiful light, and soft neutral colors. My posing is very organic. My passion is to capture pure beauty, family love, and connection in my imagery.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have focused more on creating my brand from the very beginning. My style has changed quite a bit since I first started, but the images I have always been drawn to has largely stayed the same. Clients now come to me because they love the timeless, airy, and organic feel of my photos. They know exactly what to expect when they book a session with me because my brand is consistent. I wish I would have put more focus on this in the early days, because not only has it been one of the bigger things that has made me successful, but has also attracted my ideal clients.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 412-956-6696
- Email: michellepoppphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellepoppphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichellePoppPhotography/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/michelle-popp-photography-san-marcos-3
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