Rising Stars: Meet Michee Zodulua

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michee Zodulua.  

Hi Michee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My name is Michee (Mi-shay). I am 1st generation Congolese American, born and raised in Raleigh, NC., and have always had an attraction to visual arts. From dancing at weddings before I can even remember to painting and music class in elementary, to the current medium of photography, which brings me a lot of joy. The first camera I started on was some ran over iPhone 3g that I found on the road one day. The camera managed to survive the abuse, and I utilized it to intuitively learn basic composition, manipulate my exposure, and the importance of lighting. 

Fast forward a few years, and a few phones later, my progression was becoming recognized by the people around me; my brother had a Canon Rebel T3i that he handed down to me, which almost immediately unlocked an entirely new gateway of imagination for me. With all these conceptual ideas flooding my brain, I recognized the learning curve I’d have to get over to see any of these visions come to life. I ended up reading many basic photography articles, finding free university lectures online and through friends/ family allowing me to practice on them and lots of practice on myself. I feel comfortable with a camera in my hand. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think the main struggle that I’ve faced is imposter syndrome and not allowing myself to fully feel proud of the work I’d produce. Also trying not to lose my mind putting in so much focus and effort into personal work, reminding myself to stay grounded and to go visit my family, friends, and to just take care of myself. Which I feel everyone struggles with to some degree. Having grown up around artistic friends who also strive to push their limits, are supportive and adaptive to change has really helped instille this “roll with the punches” mentality to try to create magic in whatever circumstance. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Generally speaking, I would describe myself as a Photographer who uses a variety of different lighting techniques for Creative Portraiture. Of course, I have done a wide range of more traditional photography styles and continue to use techniques from various styles/forms of photography to incorporate them in the work that I do. 

I find it hard to pinpoint a single shot I’m most proud of, but there are always details that I learn to appreciate within each piece that gets created. However, I do find the most inspiration in my more abstract/experimental photos. 

I say the edge I feel like I bring would be my ability to properly adjust in real-time for each shoot, sometimes completely throwing out whatever ideas we had pre-planned if a better idea presents itself. Typically, with each shoot at the cabin space I stay at with 3 other creative roommates, I try to make each person feel as comfortable as possible by just hanging out for a bit, listening to music, exploring the house a bit, etc. Then we get into some basic shots and try a few different compositions to get the creative juices going. Once our chemistry strengthens, I’ll ask them to try distracting them from the fact that a camera’s in front of their face ( even if they’re already experienced models ) by asking them to do a simple task like trying to throw a paper airplane on the blade of our ceiling fan or creating a drawing on an etch-a-sketch, and the list of ideas continues. I begin to feel like a mad scientist experimenting on my lovely human-sized lab rats >:)) 

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I wouldn’t be anywhere if not for my family and friends I grew up with; they’ve helped and supported me in many different ways, from handing down equipment, being my test subjects, and showing up when I had no expectations of any support, plus many more ways throughout the years. Another group of guys I want to give a huge amount of credit to would be the boys in the OCNS band, as well as the cinematographer Ryan Pham; they’ve helped open my mind and really reinforce not only my love for photography but for the arts in general. I crashed on their couch for about a year when they shared a house not because I didn’t have a place to sleep but because I kept seeing them reinventing themselves and growing, and I wanted to be a part of that change. So, I basically became a minimalist, living with the bare minimum, just me and my camera bag using up as little space as possible in their house, practicing on the guys during practices they’d have, shows, parties, etc. Eventually, I found myself in a kind of mental fog, not knowing where to go to progress my photography even further; on a whim, I then ordered the book, “Chroma” by Nick Fancher and was introduced to flash photography and color gels. I can still remember the feeling of my neurons lighting up all over my brain after I took my first “professional” looking photo; Nick Fancher definitely deserves a huge amount of credit; he showed me that there is a market for creative photography as well as giving real advice on creative ways of how to achieve professional results without breaking the bank. 

Pricing:

• $500 – Day rate
• $300 – 3 hour studio
• $150 – 1 hour

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.micheezee.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michee.png/
• Other: https://zoduluam.darkroom.com/