Meet Michelle Badger | Portrait, Event, & Landscape Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Badger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?

My favorite compliment happens halfway through a portrait session. It is made by the person who least wants to have their photo taken, “This isn’t as bad as I thought it would be! I’m even having fun!”. The most important factor behind my success is validated, client experience.

Creating genuine images that share stories is the tangible component of the experience. The intangible, is cultivating a session that  allows the clients to feel comfortable and to relax into a vulnerable place to be themselves. Having prompts and activities to interact with other participants, including loved ones or even the location, is the first ice breaker. To build trust and confidence, I constantly give positive feedback while providing direction through prompts and posing, then I preview images on my camera with the client. Communicating prior to and following the session is also essential for my client experience. Styling tips and suggestions, how to choose a location, and what to expect during the session help with expectations. Going beyond what’s included in my session demonstrates that I want to provide the best experience as well as images. Connection, creating memories, and delivering beautiful images has led to clients who are loyal to my brand while also referring future clients.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I have been so fortunate to live in beautiful places. I currently live in Flagstaff Arizona, but I have roots in my prior home of Firestone CO. I love working in nature to create landscape portraits with my clients. It makes me so happy to see a large print of a beautiful location with the smiles of my clients. Often, after sessions or while scouting, I will photograph just the location landscape. At first, I considered this a hobby, but with a little investment into learning and marketing my images, I have been featured in a magazine and sold galleries of images to businesses.

Photography offers endless learning opportunities which supports my love of continuous education. Photography has taught me to see differently, change perspectives, be creative, and become a lover of light. Learning the rules of composition instilled the fundamentals.The freedom of creativity was found in testing and breaking those rules through both success and failure. Practicing to become consistent was my first goal. The second was to push myself beyond that and not get complacent.  For example, Off Camera Flash and studio lighting was overwhelming and scary with a lot of failing. That work has generated more opportunities to take on challenging lighting situations that have led to more work.

Becoming a confident photographer, in what feels like an endless field of talent, was my biggest challenge. Learning and being inspired by other artists is the healthy place I am now. For a long time, I was stuck in a comparison and competition mindset which is not a great head space to grow in. I have found a community in which collaboration over competition is the goal with a shared thought that there is enough work for us each to shine. Focusing on my growth, journey, interests, and strengths is what has built my confidence and brand.

Photos are treasures. They are the gift of captured memories that freeze a moment to relive forever. The most valuable lesson I share is to get IN the photo.Take the picture, then get IN it. You may think you aren’t camera worthy, but trust me your loved ones will always think you are.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Our tour would begin in Longmont, Colorado with a delicious rooftop dinner at The Roost. A short drive down the road to my favorite park for a walk, sunset mountain view, or a session offers the best of CO, Sandstone Ranch. The next day we’d dip our toes in Boulder Creek with some sandwiches from Half Fast Subs, then hike at Chautauqua Park, where I got married, and finish at the overlook on Flagstaff Road taking in both Boulder and the view of the mountains to the west. A road trip to any of the mountain towns is never a bad choice. Crested Butte is my favorite. Scenic doesn’t describe the beauty of driving catercorner to Durango by way of Salida, and Pagosa Springs then across The Reservation in Arizona, to my current home in Flagstaff, AZ.

The rock formations of the desert and mesa do not prepare you for the Arizona oasis of Flagstaff. Our little mountain town is filled with the cool morning scent of sweet pines and is a delight to adventurers of all kinds. There is no shortage of amazing meals to be had downtown including the dining experience of Shift, Hummus that makes you smile at Pita Jungle, or a cup of local coffee from Kickstand Coffee. With the highest peak in the state, Mount Humphreys reaches12.633 ft. Summer is peppered with Monsoons with emerging wildflowers that decorate our woods, fields, and mountains. Fall is the best with golden aspens against a blue bird sky and perfect weather to be out in. In Winter we hit the slopes at Snowbowl, shredding on our boards or skiis or take a snowshoe adventure. Taking in the spectacular night sky is a must in the First International Dark Sky city. Whether at Lowell Observatory or in my backyard, I am delighted to photograph the Milkyway or a meteor shower.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

My degree and first career was in education. Teachers have a unique culture in which resources, lessons, and skills are openly shared. When I began my photography self-education, that was not the local culture I initially experienced.

Until I met a photographer, through a mom’s group, that was willing to offer me community. Shelli Quattlebaum Photography out of Dacono CO, has been a patient and generous mentor. Without her my journey would have been harder, longer, and much lonelier.

Laura Polen at Footsteps Photography in Larkspur CO, has also been a guiding expert in my photography journey as well. When I am pushing my boundaries of comfort she is always willing to share her experience and provide feedback with positive support.

Of course, my family, who tolerate my desire to constantly want to practice photography with or of them. Without their support, my business would not be possible.When I became a mom, I fell in love with documenting all the tiny moments of my daughters’ lives. With my husband Dave’s wholehearted enthusiasm and belief that I could build my business, my hobby turned into passion which turned into living a dream.

Website: www.MichelleBadgerPhotography.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/MichelleBadgerPhotography

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MichelleBadgerPhotography

Image Credits
Michelle Badger Photography