Perfect, Just the Way You Are

 
 

Portraits

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Whether it’s a promotional photo, a head shot, senior photos, or family or engagement photos, click below for a gallery of some of Michelle’s favorite portrait work.

Weddings & Events

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Looking for an idea of what it might look like to have your event photographed by Michelle? Click below to see some of Michelle’s favorite wedding and event work.

Art & Design

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Want to get your photos off the computer and onto your walls, on into a printed album? Michelle’s got you covered. Click below to see more.

 
 

Why should I hire Michelle?

-You’re looking for something that feels like “you”. You want a low-stress, heartfelt, comfy photo experience. You want your photos to look like a documentary of the best days of your life. You like the idea of new photos, but don’t like the extra work that comes with ordering photos, albums, or wall art (Michelle can take those stresses off your shoulders, should you choose to let her)…

 
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BIO

When you meet Michelle Waters, you’ll feel like you’ve known her your entire life.

Combining a fine art background and the heart of a storyteller, Michelle has a strong desire to love people as they are, and enjoys making honest, artfully composed images that feel fresh, personal and full of energy.

Michelle has been working in the professional photography and art worlds for 20 years, and was the first female, fine art, digital, “lifestyle photographer” in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Since then, her work has been featured in and on the cover of several local and national photography and art magazines, as well as local, regional and national musicians’ and organizations’ promotional pieces, and has dozens of local and regional fine art exhibits and festivals on her resume…

Continue Reading…

 

See What’s New on Michelle’s Instagram Feed:

I was so taken by @deathvalleygirls ‘ performance at Nelsonville Music Festival that I entirely missed the headlining band on the main stage. Death Valley Girls were engaging, funny, wild and wickedly talented, putting on one of the most mesmerizing sets of the entire fest weekend. Loved them, their love of fireflies, and their ability to end their show that night by rolling around on the stage as a team, while still playing their guitars and having the absolute time of their lives. So much yes.
In between musical sets this past weekend, I made Polaroids of people and things I loved, and then gave the photos away. This was nurturing on many levels, to me: I was hyper-focused on seeking out images and moments that really mattered to me. I spent minutes with people, instead of the usual rushing away to the next moment, and we watched their photos develop together, and I learned more about their lives and experiences. And then after making something that felt meaningful to me, I gave it away on the spot. No clinging to the possibility of any use for the future. Just going from one deliberate moment to the next. You could say I really enjoyed this experience and am looking forward to doing it again, even though I worked through some discomfort in the process. You could also say I’ll probably do this again, very soon.
I just discovered @thewarandtreaty at @nelsonvillefest over the weekend, and also just discovered they’ll be in Charleston for @festivall_cwv at the end of this month. You guys, I ugly cried through their set because they are SO full of love, they broke my heart in half. I can’t wait to see them again in less than three weeks! 😍
@radattck was rad yesterday, at @nelsonvillefest . Thanks to @clutchmov and @shansketchbook for allowing me to share in a really fun interview with them. (Photo from their set 🙌)
I was gonna post a recap of the photo opportunities I’ve had over the past coupla months, tonight, but I don’t know if anything can top this photo from a wedding reception I was asked to photograph in Ohio, earlier this month (in May). Also, my 7 year old may have taken this. 🙌
📷🌎🌞❤️ TRAVEL ALERT! Do you have photo hopes and dreams? Will you be in any of these cities in June? I have a bunch of travels planned for June. Let me meet you there, and we can make relaxed, comfy photos of you and the ones you love. Comment or message me for details.
Boudoir (or “Intimate”) photos don’t always have to fit the traditional ideas of glamour, or what you might think they should look like, or be. To me, people are always at their most beautiful when they let their happiness and their honesty shine through their faces and their body language. The greatest bliss, peace, and strength can’t be contained in perfected postures or making sure to fit into traditional ideas of femininity or masculinity, as far as I’m concerned. I’ve never been really comfortable with traditional roles, anyway. I think this was probably one of the most exciting Boudoir-esque sessions I’ve ever done. It was fully un-styled, just a gal and her gorgeous dreads, some denim overalls, a white tank top and an amazing silk robe (and a lot of laughter and fun). Have I mentioned yet today that I love my job? I really do.
When an artist whose work you’ve fallen in love with invites you over for a meeting, to plan out a personal brand photo session and she lets you play with her inks while you plan, because “Art is everywhere”... Also, she may be my absolute dream client. #playingonthejob #thisismyjob
When the hopes and dreams of a mom are to get photos of their son playing his guitars, you better believe I jump at it, and take him all over town. Thank you Marietta, Ohio, for your gorgeous alleys, rooftops, bridges and docks. And thanks to Meryl, for trusting me with Connor’s photos (and to Connor for being an all-around rockstar).