Sweet newborns
Kiddos
Couples 
Family
Posted on February 10, 2011
Our featured photographer this week is a photographer that I met through one of my forums that I’m a part of. She was so excited to do this, and it was great to see that she was! She’s a fantastic photographer and a hilarious gal! Keep the keys out of the freezer! 
I’m excited for her to be featured this week, and for all of you to meet and read about her! So…let’s not keep her in the dark much longer. Meet…
Michelle Massey Barnes – Michelle Massey Barnes Photography
www.masseybarnesphotography.com
Ann Arbor, Michigan Photographer
Where are you from? Where do you currently live? I grew up on the West side of Michigan, traveled a lot through out college, went to grad school out East and ended up back in Michigan. Now I am more on the Southeast side of the state, not to far West of Ann Arbor.
What does photography mean to you? What attracted you to photography? Photography is an artistic expression of beauty. I feel like each time I photograph someone I am given the opportunity to capture that person’s essence and that person’s beauty. But it gets better. Then I get to show the person the beauty and the light that I saw in them while I was behind the camera. I love the way that a beautiful photograph can make someone see themselves and their loved ones with new and fresh eyes.
Describe the area of photography you specialize in? Why did you choose this area? I love photographing high school seniors. I think they are so much fun and full of ambition. They are usually very willing to be themselves in front of the camera. I also love photographing young children. I think babies are so special and I have never met a baby that I haven’t loved. LOL. Raising a young child can be so challenging. I love giving the parents beautiful photographs that help them remember the joy of parenting and the beauty of their child. When times are hard (and sometimes they are so all of us), it can be tough to remember just how much joy a child brings into our lives. I think that images that capture the beauty of each stage freeze time for parents and give them a chance to see the joy without all of the tantrums, melts downs and hard work. Parents get to revel in the beautiful moments of loving their children.
How long have you been a photographer? When I was a young girl, my mom got a Canon AE1. Although I loved it and followed her everywhere while she was using it, I didn’t want to learn how to use it myself. It wasn’t until much later when I moved to Southeast Michigan and fell in love with Sandhill Cranes that I felt myself pulled into photography. More than anything I wanted to learn how to photograph these beautiful birds that live out here.
So my real journey as a photographer began about seven years ago and it focused mostly around nature photography. I love photographing the ebb and flow of nature and the seasons. I love returning to the same place over and over again and each time seeing it through different eyes. Nature has taught me to never take a moment for granted. You can’t go back the next day and expect to have the exact same experience. The clouds won’t be the same, the lighting will have changes, the field full of wildflowers might be past their bloom. The same is true in life. Soak it in as it is happening.
As you can imagine, I don’t have a lot of quiet time in the woods these days. I am sure I will return to my roots, but most of my work is portrait based right now. I can say though, the beauty that I am seeking to capture in people is the exact same type of beauty I captured in natural world. A true, authentic and pure beauty of just being yourself.
Are you self taught or have you attended formal schooling? What workshops/seminars have you found useful to you? I have a lot of formal schooling– a masters degree in comparative religion from Harvard Divinity School– but not in photography. My time in grad school did teach me how to research, how to teach myself, and how to find all of the resources that I need to accomplish whatever it is I have my heart set on. Right now, my heart is set on my camera. 
Morning or night owl? Night owl. For sure. I love to be up with the moon & stars.
If you could describe your style of photography in 4 words, what would they be? Emotional. Authentic. Artistic. Vibrant.
Who is your family? Include some pictures of them since we all know that our family is always in our photographs. My husband, my son Logan (6), and my daughter Annabelle (2.5). Love you guys!
What is a project that you would like to do this year with your photography? Each year my husband and I take our kids camping in the mountains. We are even planning to try a backpacking trip this year. As you can imagine, I have so many photos. I would love to write about camping with children and teaching children to love nature. I would love to get some of these photographs published. {And I am open to suggestions on places that might want a submission or two of this kind of work!}
How do you balance work, and your family? The honest answer is some days I balance them better than others. It’s hard. I miss out on sleep & sometimes on showers. I don’t read as much as I would like to. I think this is true of all parents though. Not just working parents. I do block out Sundays as a special time to spend with my husband. We go climbing at Planet Rock. I do my best to make sure I have special time with my kids each week.
We all want to know…what’s in YOUR bag? What lens could you not live without? I shoot with a Canon 50D. I have a 50mm 1.8 (which I love), an 85mm 1.8 & a 16-35 2.8 L. Although I love shooting prime, I enjoying playing with the way that a wide angle lens can bend images.
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be? Well, in addition to being a photographer, I am also a yoga instructor and a birth doula. As a doula, I get to work with families prenatally and then support them during the birth of their children. It is amazing work- both to be supporting such a precious rite of passage and to be present at the birth of a child. If I wasn’t a photographer, I would keep doing this work. 
What are 4 words your husband would use to describe you? Well, I asked him. He’s what he said, “Motivated. Intelligent. A good mother. Creative.” When I told him that I was a surprised that he didn’t say stubborn and strong willed, he laughed and said, “Well that goes without saying.” LOL, that too.
What helps keep you motivated with photography? There is always something new to learn and I can always find places where I can improve. I am the kind of person that thrives on challenge and personal improvement. I love learning and having the opportunity to explore something new and continue to get better at it is all the motivation I need. I love it. If I ever run out of things to learn, it will be time to look for a new passion.Tell us about some of your long term goals (with photography or personal life)? We have spent many camping trips at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Long’s Peak in the tallest peak in this park and the mountain dominates the skyline. It is a 16 mile hike to the top and back and you have to begin the hike at 2am so you are off the summit before the risk of afternoon thunderstorms. Our goal is to climb it as a family. We will have to wait until Annabelle can carry her own pack. Right now, she rides in mine.
What blogs do you love to stalk (doesn’t have to be photography related if you don’t want)? I spend so much time looking at blogs that I could be a major, major stalker. But I’m not consistent. I jump around a lot. I love to be inspired by others people’s work and seeing all of the variations in vision and execution keeps me feeling creative. So I have a slew of blog bookmarks and I jump around all the time.
When you’re not shooting, what are you doing? Climbing rock walls at Planet Rock, an indoor climbing gym in Ann Arbor. I am wishing I was climbing somewhere in Colorado but Planet Rock is a close enough second to keep me happy. I also love hiking, biking and exploring nature with my kids. I used to love watching (and photographing) birds. Until some quiet time returns, I won’t be doing that so much.
What is one thing that you want to do in your life? This is random, but I would like to have a bird of prey (an owl or a hawk), fly across a field and land on my fist. Yes, of course it would have to be a trained bird and of course I would want to wear a glove. Hum. I need to find my way to falconer.
If you could pick one photographer in the world to do a session for you, and your family, who would it be and why? Pick just one photographer?? Really?? There is so much talent out there. I do love love Angie Moson of Simplicity Photography. I love the way her work is influenced by the colors of the landscape in Utah. I love the bright colors, the way she plays with light and the expressions that she captures. I love her processing.
If you could photograph one area of photography for a day, what would it be, why? (Something other than what you photograph, i.e. architecture, food, boudoir, birth, etc.) I would like to spend a day photographing from the summit of a mountain. I would love 24 hours dedicated to exploring the light and shadows across the vista as the sun moved up and over the mountain and then back down. And of course the light of the moon and stars. The moonrise on a mountain top is magical.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out in photography, what would it be?
Find your passion. Even when you are not sure exactly what it is, look for it. If you make a conscious effort to find what you are passionate about, you will know when you are there. You will love what you are feeling.
Please include some of your favorite images….
Thank you so much Michelle for being a featured photographer! It was a blast getting to know you better and also learn what interests you about photography and life in general! Your work is fabulous!
Thanks again!
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