Meet Michelle Gunn

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michelle Gunn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michelle below.

Michelle, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose kind of by accident — or maybe it found me.

When my wife and I were planning our own wedding, we noticed how few photographers in our area were visibly celebrating or uplifting queer love stories. It was disheartening, but also a huge lightbulb moment. At the time, I was just getting into photography and thought maybe I’d lean into family sessions — but that lack of representation stuck with me.

Then the universe did its thing: a friend’s wedding photographer backed out last minute and they asked if I’d step in. I was so nervous (like, sweaty palms kind of nervous), but I said yes — and I’m so glad I did. Something clicked for me that day. The joy, the emotion, the chaos, the quiet in-between moments… I fell completely in love with documenting weddings.

Now, getting to combine that with my heart for the LGBTQIA+ community? That’s everything. It’s an honor to show up for queer couples and capture not just the big moments, but the ones that happen surrounded by chosen family, soft love, and so much intention. That’s where I found my purpose — in visibility, in celebration, and in telling love stories that deserve to be seen.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a wedding photographer who works primarily with LGBTQIA+ couples — and honestly, it’s the greatest joy and privilege of my life. My work is about so much more than taking pretty photos (though yes, I do love dreamy light and golden hour magic). What I really care about is creating a space where people feel safe, seen, and celebrated for exactly who they are.

I got into photography when my wife and I were planning our own wedding and struggled to find someone local who felt like they truly understood or centered queer love stories. That lack of representation lit a fire in me — and over time, my work grew into what it is today: heart-first, inclusive wedding photography that’s all about connection and intentional storytelling.

I bring a calm, grounded presence to every wedding, and my approach is super relationship-focused. I help with timeline planning, guide posing in a way that feels natural, and genuinely care about making sure my couples feel affirmed and supported throughout the entire experience. I photograph digitally and with 35mm film, and I also surprise my couples with Polaroids on their wedding night — because I believe in tangible joy right now, not just weeks later when the gallery is delivered.
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At the end of the day, I’m here to tell love stories that haven’t always had the spotlight. I want my couples to look back at their photos and not only see the beauty of the day, but feel how fully loved, supported, and celebrated they were in that moment.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities that have shaped my journey are:

1. A constant eagerness to learn and grow.
I’m always chasing new ways to evolve — creatively and as a business owner. Whether it’s diving into education, refining my editing style, or figuring out how to better serve my clients, I’ve learned that staying curious is everything. For anyone just starting out: keep asking questions, take the course, try the weird idea, make the thing. That spark will carry you further than you think.

2. Being vocal and values-driven.
I care deeply about advocacy — for my couples, for the LGBTQIA+ community, and for human rights in general. That energy shows up in my work, and I think it’s a big part of why I attract clients who also care deeply about creating safe, inclusive, affirming spaces. My advice? Let people know what matters to you. The more you lead with your heart, the more aligned your work (and your people) will feel.

3. Deep client connection.
Your niche isn’t just the type of work you do — it’s who you do it for. I realized early on that when I work with couples who really connect with me (and vice versa), the entire experience becomes joyful, grounded, and meaningful. If you’re just starting out, take time to figure out who your people are. When you find that mutual fit — where your work truly reflects their story — it’s magic.

This journey is so much more than just building a business. It’s about building something that reflects who you are, what you care about, and how you want to show up in the world. And that? That’s where the good stuff lives.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

One of the most impactful things my parents did for me was encourage my creativity from an early age. Back in high school, when I was saving up for my first camera, they matched what I had and helped me buy a $400 setup. That camera changed everything. I photographed concerts, flowers, my friends at the beach in full sunset model mode — and I completely covered my bedroom walls with 4×6 prints. Like, every inch was stapled with photos.

They always supported my love for creating, even if they weren’t totally sure photography could become a “real” career. I ended up going to nursing school for a few years, but in my mid-20s, I found my way back to photography — and I’ve never looked back. I’m so grateful I rediscovered that passion, because it’s completely shaped who I am and how I see the world. That early encouragement made space for me to find my purpose, even if it took a few detours to get here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gunnshotphoto.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/gunshotphoto
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/gunnshotphotography