Inspired, A Very Special Project | Oeil Photography

This very special addition of Inspired I get to feature a very talented and very special photographer!! I found Michelle of Oeil photography on flickr some years back and fell in love with her work. Her photography is authentic, gorgeous and totally organic. She is as kind as she is talented and being able to show case her here is such a privilege and honor! Going through her portfolio I was amazed at how well traveled this lady is! From Pensacola, to New Orleans and out of the US to Tokyo she has so many gorgeous couples, and weddings and even children showcased. There seems to be absolutely nothing that Michelle can not photograph!! Just see for yourself!! Let’s get started!!

You can find Oeil Photography’s Website HERE and her Facebook Page HERE.

Hi Michelle!

Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?

A rebel! And if you’ve read Catcher in the Rye, I am the girl version of Holden.

What sparked your passion for Photography?

Bored in nursing school… looking for a hobby and so, it all began with a crazy SLR purchase and a posting on craigslist for 30min to take your photo for $20.

Whats in your camera bag?

Regular portrait sessions, I’ll usually have a Canon 5D with a 35mm 1.4 or a 50mm 1.2

Wedding backpack:

D700
35mm 1.4 (stays on most of the time)
50mm 1.8
85mm 1.8
SB900
D90
10-20
macro 55mm 3.5 for rings

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

Back in the ‘ole days? I started out with the Nikon D70s, top of the line, you know. It was like $900 and I used a sigma 28-70mm 2.8-4, which was pretty sharp.

One of Michelle’s First Images.

If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?

My 35mm. I can go wide or get extremely close.

What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?

I wish you the best, set yourself apart. Don’t get caught up with trends, everyone is doing stylized shoots now, and they are pretty cool don’t get me wrong- but maybe make them more personal for the client? Don’t just set up a picnic scene with everyone!
Don’t let anyone put you down, there is a client for every budget and style. You want to use funky colors go ahead, you are the artist… but never stop learning.

Learn your camera, read the manual at least.

What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

The artist formerly known as POSER. Erik Clausen was and still is.

What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

Anything that doesn’t require lugging around my camera, I wish they’d hurry up and make better mirrorless cameras so I can keep everything compact. I had not used a regular digital camera in years and I couldn’t work it. I need a viewfinder.
It’s pretty sad though because I can’t take photos of my kids.

If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?

That’s so hard! Too many people to choose from. James Dean because he could make any picture look good 😉

Describe your style in 3 words.

Passionate, documentary, editorial?

You tell me.

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

(wedding) My lightstand tripped a waiter carrying about 30 empty wine glasses . Enough said.

Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?

I am always trying to overcome challenges, even if they are against my self. I, like most photographers (I think) get into editing funks where you don’t know how to edit or you are wanting to figure out how to make a photo look like Sarah Cornish’s because she is pretty amazing!!! But each time I come close it’s not the same. I need to remember that I am my own eye and no matter how hard I try it will never look like someone else’s.

Favorite time of day to shoot is?

Evenings about an hour before sunset. I try to play with the backlighting but I totally don’t get those gorgeous flares you see on your timelines. So I prefer shade.

If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?

Go back to school

Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?

No, and I’m glad. There’s too many college grads out there who major in something else and end up in this business.

What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?

Talk to them and ask them about how the guy proposed or how they met, their plans…

What are your photography related goals for 2012?

Start up a business in Tokyo! Wish me luck with that.

How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments?

Well if you go and visit a couple of top photographer’s blogs, they will completely inspire you to push up your skills and not become comfortable with your level of skill. There’s so much I don’t know how to do but I want to learn.

Biggest Photography related insecurity?

Not working anymore due to my work becoming “outdated” in like 20 years! Nah.

Digital or Prints?

Digital.

How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

Less traditional but keeping the photos clean. Using different locations.
But everyone is different

What do you think your next photography related investment will be?

AHHH! I need to lay low for a while, I’m happy with my D700 I haven’t used it to it’s fullest capabilities yet so instead of another “investment” I will work on taking better photos first.

If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be?
Extra memory card.

What would you say your biggest muse is?

The client’s love and personality.

Fun stuff:

Favorite Color: black
Favorite Season: Fall (if Florida had one)
Biggest Guilty Pleasure: Naps
Pet Peeve: gum chewing
Favorite Pandora Station: Elliott Smith/Radiohead
Studio or On location: on location
What did you want to be when you grew up? I never figured it out
One thing no one knows about you is: I’m scared of meeting people.

Pc or Mac: mac
Lightroom Or Photoshop: Lightroom
Film or Digital: digital
Props or No Props: no
If you could travel anywhere it would be: India
Glass Half Empty or Half Full: empty
Favorite photo ever taken: see attached

Raw or Jpeg: raw
Favorite Music to Edit to: Deftones Pandora station
Favorite Quote: I’m not deep like that. But it would probably be a lyric.
Most valued material possession: all of my cameras
Processing Style: simple
Coffee or Tea: none
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be?
Zooey Deschanel because of her eyes.

What kind of Camera bag do you rock?
Nikon D90 when I’m not working.