Michelle Seung-Mi Kim

Good day! My name is Michelle. My Korean name is Seung-Mi (the "eu" of "Seung" is pronounced like the "ou" in "would"). Put the two names together and you get Seung Michelle.

Moving on...

I grew up in front of the camera. My photo-hobbyist mother loved taking pictures of me and I loved having my picture taken. I eventually transferred my ability to be in the center of attention to pursue the entertainment industry and got a bit of television-time. I had always had a natural inclination to entertain and be under the spotlight...you would never find me behind the scenes.

My dreams, goals and much of what I grew up to know about myself began to take a shift when I atypically picked up a newspaper and came across this image taken by Pulitzer Prize winner Renee C. Byer. Chills permeated through my body. My heart simultaneously smiled and ached. After reading the supplementary article I found out it was part of a photo essay. I had never seen a photo essay before nor had I ever heard of photojournalism. My gut had decided for me that I was supposed to be a photographer so I could capture moments like that.

As I started my first year at UC Irvine as a Literary Journalism major, I put my mini-revelation on the back burner.

I eventually purchased my first DSLR and began to awkwardly and uncomfortably expose myself as an amateur photographer. I took my camera everywhere and took pictures of everything. I faced more discouragement than auspiciousness, more insecurities than confidence...but I was determined to get better.

I have been shooting professionally for the past year now and have been blessed with so many neat opportunities. Whether I'm capturing moments and producing images at a wedding, for non-profits, on the street, or in the studio I am exercising a God-infused creativity and craft. It's incredible the joy that I receive from actively pursuing a gift that doesn't require me to be at the center of it.

I am still developing my style and I thank you for partaking in the beginning stages of this process. I disclaim that you will see many changes (good and bad but hopefully more good) in the next coming months and years as I grow as a person and a photographer. I don't consider myself an artist because I am not creating anything new or beautiful out of nothing. I essentially take what is available and attempt to visually maximize it's content.

Maybe I will end up doing all these things, maybe not...but I'm not worried about it because God always exceeds my greatest hopes, dreams and expectations.

Look what he did to a girl who never thought would spend a day behind a camera...

Pre-Debut Shoot w/ Miss Pauline

September 23, 2009 Portraiture

A while back, my friend Nik facebooked me and asked if I would be interested in shooting his little sister’s debut. The Philippine Debut is a cultural tradition as a coming-of-age celebration for a young woman entering her 18th year. I had (1) never shot a debut before and (2) never attended what I would compare as a Quineanera-like event…thus leaving me quite excited! I have been communicating with Pauline and her mother setting up the pre-arrangements for the November extravaganza. I think the coolest part of working with Pauline is that her whole family is involved and so encouraging and supportive and not to mention…SO kind! We scheduled a two separate sessions–two VERY different photo sessions. The morning shoot was at Corona Del Mar Beach which never fails me with the perfectly overcast skies and mild waves. The night shoot was pretty much the complete opposite from cool & casual, however. Her mom was awesome enough to reserve a Cinderella Carriage ride at the Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga to go along with the “Fairytale” themed debut. I have to say that it was quite the spectacle to see Pauline in her fantastically elaborate dress in her pimped-out ride (no lie…it was L-E-G-I-T set of wheels)! But hold on, let the photos speak for themselves.

From day….