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...
i had the privilege to get some VERY quick shots of uci students modeling marylenore’s latest line of clothing creations titled PSYCHOSOMATIC for fashion interest group’s 3rd annual fashion show. & by “VERY quick,” i mean we literally went outside, walked on a slab of cement protruding from a grossly plain grass plain and “worked it.”
here’s a look:
the designer and creator, miss marylenore herself!
I hate cats so I can’t believe that I am dedicating a post to cat humor but ever since the “Kittens inspired by Kittens!” video and the excerpts from a Dog Diary vs. Cat Diary and then the recent finding of 5 kittens in my parent’s backyard, I couldn’t help it.
& THIS is my reminder of why I hate cats…so feisty!
The UCI Fashion Interest Group did it again this year with the highly-anticipated student-led & designed fashion show. FIG had two photographers out this year so I decided to do more behind the scene stuff instead of sticking to the runway like I did last year.
James Clark has a rich voice that can make any girl swoon…luckily the models composed themselves
& the winning designs go to Evelyn Yen!!
I love when the bride and groom opt to see each other BEFORE the ceremony. So much more time which means less stress and more intimacy.
The horse makes me laugh.
The guests knew how to GIT DOWN.
props to my right hand gal, Chels, for capturing this energy!
Taylor, my chill and spunky bride client, posted a REALLY helpful entry about her wedding on her BLOG. She shares personal and practical tips that made her wedding day a stress-free one to remember! Thanks Taylor and Dallas for dealing with my crazy requests in 100 degree heat. You’re awesome and I wish the very best blessings in your marriage!
Anyone who has had a conversation with me about my photographic interests knows that I would prefer not to shoot inanimate objects. But I was assigned to get some architectural shots of Gross Hall, the new medical building at UCI that will link patients with researchers under one roof, so I did!
by Seung Michelle
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