Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Ramer.
Michelle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started out in my early 20’s focused on painting abstract art as an outlet for stress and a way to decorate my home on the cheap. I was young and poor so for a few dollars for some canvas and paint all worked out well. Fast forward a few years to the birth of my first child. It was around the time when digital photography came out to the masses.
Like most mothers I was obsessed with taking pictures of my child. At that point thought I really didn’t make the connection between photography and art. It was another outlet to inexpensively decorate my house but this time with a subject I loved.
Of course, life and family took its toll and both painting and photography took a back seat to more important things. Then when my son was 14 I found out I was pregnant again. Naturally out came the camera once my daughter was born. This time, however, I decided I needed something a little more sophisticated than a point and shoot with little allowance for creativity and I bought my first DSLR.
Now this is where so many people make the jump from novice to “professional”… they buy a “good” camera and start doing shoots for friends, have a few business cards made up and next thing you know a business is born. Not me though. For the first time in my life I started to see the artistry in photography and with each picture I took the more enamored I became with the idea of creating a piece of art with my camera. It was actually never my intention to charge people and become a professional photographer. I really just wanted to fill my walls with art again. There was something missing, however. As much as I loved looking at the unique images I could create with my camera, it wasn’t until I discovered the ability to manipulate images in photoshop that the portrait artist in me was born. The idea that I could take an image and much like a painting manipulate the lines and curves and colors to create something that was my artistic vision was like a drug to me and became quite addictive. Fast forward again another 6 years and here I am known as the artist behind The Art of Photography Studio specializing in modern portrait fine art. Over the years I have found myself most often having the opportunity to create art from pregnant women and their newborn babies but I obsess really over any opportunity to photograph any human or animal and create an image that will evoke the kind of emotion that makes people want to take what I create and blow it up very large for their walls. I have always been so thankful for my family and children but even more so knowing that it was them that helped me unleash my hidden photographic artist.
Great, 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?
There is never anything worth doing that doesn’t bring struggle and hardship along the way. My biggest struggles through my journey as a portrait artist has been learning to communicate my value to my clients. Most of my work is behind the scenes. Clients see me take pictures for a few hours and think there are magic photoshop buttons that are able to produce the images in their final galleries. The truth is the investment of time in the creation of the final piece of art is generally around 10 times the amount of time it takes to take the initial images. The average client gallery takes around 20 hours to produce and even longer for newborn babies or very specialized art pieces. I have been fortunate enough though to work with clients who have a great passion for my art and that really does make all of the hard work worthwhile.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Art of Photography Studio – what should we know?
I specialize in fine art portrait photography. My background in painting gives me a certain style and flair for texture and color. I am quite gifted at compositing which allows me to take pieces from multiple images and combine them together to create a final image that is a work of art.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I am a perfectionist. I said it. It’s true. I obsess over the smallest of details that most people would never even notice. I blow images up to a size that allows me to see details not even visible generally to the naked eye. I want my images to stand out for their flawless nature. I have to admit that in my previous career I had the opportunity to work with people all of the time. As a result, I have a great ability to adapt well to all different types of people and I get along well with everyone. I try to really have a great sense of humor too – especially since I often get peed and pooped on by my smallest clients. These characteristics combined really have helped me to achieve success.
Contact Info:
- Address: 11904 NW 69th Place,
Parkland, FL 33076 - Website: www.TheArtofPhotographyStudio.com
- Phone: (754) 800-9889
- Email: theartofphotographystudio@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theartofphotographystudio
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/theartofphotographystudio
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/theartofphotographystudio
Image Credit:
Michelle Ramer for The Art of Photography Studio
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