Michelle Reed began her photography career over 20 years ago. She was initially focused on photographing children and families and quickly moved into wedding photography. Michelle found her calling shooting weddings, developing a reputation as one of Florida’s best. At her peak, she was a nationally recognized photographer shooting over 100 weddings a year.

 

Michelle enjoyed 16 years of success as a wedding photographer before transitioning her business to lifestyle, portraits, products, food, and corporate photography.

 

“By that time, I was fried from the wedding industry and decided that it was time to make a change. That's the beauty of what I do,” Michelle says. “I love the diversity of photography, and I never get bored with my job.”

 

Lifestyle photography and portraits are some of Michelle’s favorite genres of photography. She takes pride in capturing the essence of her clients. Michelle’s creative, fun and spontaneous personality makes it easy to relax and enjoy your photo session with the confidence that you need to be comfortable and feeling your best.

 

“Photographically, that's probably my strongest suit. I'm able to capture who people are, and that's key,” she says. “It really becomes an art. I talk with people, get to know them, and try to bring their true selves forward.”

 

Emotion rises in Michelle as she talks about one of the most impactful times of her life — the 12 years she spent sharing her story with the students at Clewiston Middle School.  

 

“I remember sitting at the dinner table and asking my family, ‘If I were to die today, what would people say about me?’ And they said, ‘That I was a talented photographer, a great mom, and a devoted wife.’ While those words are very kind, that's not how I want to be remembered. I want to make a difference in the lives of others,” Michelle reflects. “So I prayed about it, and six months later, I received a call from Kathy Irey, a teacher in Clewiston, Florida.”

 

Kathy was looking for a photographer for her daughter’s wedding in Naples, but soon, her relationship with Michelle became much more. Michelle ended up building a deeper relationship with Kathy, regularly traveling to Clewiston to speak to groups of students small and large over the next 12 years. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of Michelle’s life, as well as a true testament to the impact she hopes to make in the world.

 

“I have thousands of letters from those children. That was one of the most life-changing experiences. To this day, I still have children that call me mom,” Michelle shares. “I set out to make a difference in their lives, and instead, they made a tremendous impact on mine.”

 

Michelle has channeled this experience into further inspiration to serve. Her current passion is working with women who have lived through narcissistic abuse. She facilitates a weekly support group and aspires to create a nonprofit and a documentary to support the cause and educate the public.

 

“What's important to me is making a difference in the lives of others by taking my lemons and making lemonade — whether that happens in support groups or from behind the camera.”

 

 

##

 

When she’s not working, you’ll find Michelle fishing and scuba diving in the Florida Keys or spending time with her son, Trevor (26). Her family recently purchased a second home in the Keys, where she plans to spend most of her time during the summer months.