Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Popp.
Hi Michelle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Professionally, I started my photography business 13 years ago. But my love for photography began much earlier when I was a little girl with a Polaroid in my hands. I was fascinated with capturing moments and trying to freeze time.
After I lost my dad in my 20s, suddenly a photograph was not just a picture. It was a lifeline. A way to feel close again. Proof that love still exists. I knew then I wanted to make photography my career. I bought my first DSLR camera, signed up for an intro to photography course at the community college, interviewed several photographer friends, and began learning all there was to learn about photography. Shortly after, I started my photography business when I was pregnant with my first son and working full time. After becoming a mother, everything shifted once more. I saw just how fleeting childhood is, how quickly little ones grow and moments pass. Photography became my way of pressing pause, of holding on to those sacred moments. When my son was a few months old, my husband and I decided it was time for me to quit my full time job and pursue photography full time. It was one of the best decisions we ever made.
Last year, I lost my mom suddenly. Grief nearly pulled me away from this work altogether. I could not imagine stepping behind the camera again. But in the quiet, God met me there and reminded me that this is not just a job. It is a calling. A way to serve. A way to help other mothers hold fast to the love He has placed in their lives.
Today, I photograph families with a heart wide open, tender to the sacred, led by the Holy Spirit, and always praying that the images I create become a blessing far beyond the moment they are captured.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha, I wonder if any business owner ever answers yes to this. Not at all, but it has been worth it. There were many moments when I doubted whether I could truly do this and make a good living, and even questioned whether this was what I was called to do.
It took years to get where I am today and to find a healthy balance between running a business, family, homeschooling my boys, and providing a stable income for my family. I am still always looking for ways to improve my business and serve my clients better.
The most important thing I have ever done is make God the CEO of my business. Praying and seeking Him before every client interaction has shaped the way I work and lead. While owning your own business comes with incredible freedom and many perks, it also has real challenges. It can be difficult to ever fully disconnect, and as creatives we are deeply emotionally invested in our work, which can be hard at times.
I feel incredibly blessed my business has grown to what it is today and for every family who entrusts me to capture their precious memories, and I continue to learn, grow, and lean on God through it all.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in motherhood photography, with a focus on preserving the beauty, tenderness, and legacy of this season. I photograph on medium format film because I love the creamy, true to life skin tones and the timeless, organic look that film provides. It allows me to create images that feel honest, emotive, and deeply full of love.
At the heart of my work is a deep desire to serve clients well, especially mothers. As a mom myself, I know that motherhood is full, busy, and fleeting. My goal is to help moms preserve the story of their babies, their motherhood journey, and the beautiful legacy they are creating. Images that one day show their children just how deeply they were loved and cherished from the very beginning.
I provide a full service portrait experience, thoughtfully taking care of every detail. From a beautifully curated wardrobe and professional hair and makeup to guidance on how to enjoy their portraits in their home, clients are supported every step of the way. After the session, we meet for a gallery reveal so they never have to figure anything out on their own. Together, we explore artwork options, and create meaningful pieces for their home, including wall art and heirloom albums that will be held and treasured for generations.
What I am most proud of is the experience I offer and the trust clients place in me. What sets my work apart is the combination of film artistry, intentional service, and a heart for motherhood that goes far beyond the session itself.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, I am opening a print shop, something that has been on my heart for years! It is a space where creation, travel, and art come together, inspired by my deep love of travel, wildlife, and God’s beautiful creation.
The shop will feature thoughtfully curated photographs captured around the world, created using a mix of digital, medium format, and 35mm film. I am most excited about sharing work that invites people to slow down, feel wonder, and bring meaningful art into their homes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://michellepoppphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellepoppphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichellePoppPhotography
