Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Mattox.
Michelle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Photography has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It began when I was a little girl at the zoo, snapping rolls of film with my first point and shoot camera. I learned from my grandmother, who has always been our family historian. I continued my love for photography in our high school dark room for several years and my grandfather gave me his beloved film Canon. I was accepted into Brooks Institute of Photography but ultimately decided to get a bachelors degree from the University of San Diego.
After college, I worked for Channel 4 San Diego; producing various shows, including “Sam the Cooking Guy” and “One on One with Jane Mitchell”. Shortly after the birth of my first daughter, I left Channel 4 and photography quickly became a part of my daily life. As a mother of three, I love capturing my own children and a photography business was the perfect fit for my new life as a momma.
Has it been a smooth road?
I’m lucky that the road has been pretty. Photography has always been a passion of mine, so creating a photography business was a natural transition for me. I’m lucky to have learned from some amazingly talented photographers and to have so much support from family, friends and clients. It has really allowed me to be a full-time mother, while still being able to create and contribute to our family. I feel like I’ve come full circle and am really doing what I love. Obviously, there have been challenges along the way, but for the most part, the road has been kind to me.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Michelle Mattox Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
Simply put- I want to freeze time. I want to capture something that is tangible and will be around for generations. I read the quote, “memories made real” a long time ago and it has always resonated with me. In the digital age of cell phones and endless photos, we forget to actually print photos, display them on walls and create albums. Technology fails or inevitably becomes obsolete, so printing our photos in some way is crucial. I love watching my kids flip through photo albums and point to photos in our home. I truly believe it enhances our memories and allows us to relive moments we might otherwise forget.
I specialize in newborn, birth, fresh 48, maternity, child and family portraits. I have a cozy studio filled with lux and natural newborn props and outfits. I also love shooting all around San Diego; we have so many beautiful locations to choose from.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see digital media growing at a fast pace. I only hope that we can keep up with it. Don’t get me wrong, technology is great and a huge part of my business, but I tend to miss the old days of photography. Film used to be expensive and photography was a luxury. Now we all have a digital camera of some kind and it’s a blessing and a curse. They say we will be the most photographed generation and yet we have no actual photos to show it, which I think is sad. As the industry grows, I hope we can slow down and remember the value of a photograph.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michellemattoxphotography.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellemattoxphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellemattoxphotography/
Image Credit:
Tarah Sweeney Photography
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
