An Inspired Chat with Michelle Kaffko of West Loop

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Michelle Kaffko. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Michelle, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Imposter syndrome, for sure! I think imposter syndrome comes in so many forms and makes us all feel generally anxious and unworthy of a lot of activities in our lives. I see it specifically in my clients when they see professional photos of themselves looking like the badass they are: some people are able to connect with the image and feel empowered, but most get nervous seeing themselves looking like a confident, powerful professional. They don’t seem to understand that most people see them as unflappable, important people and I wish they could see themselves that way!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I run Organic Headshots, one of the few commercial portrait studios in the country that employs multiple photographers and staff. Most photo studios are one-person operations, but we’ve grown into a Chicago headshot and professional photography machine, specializing in staff headshots and executive portraits for professionals in all industries, as well as business image support such as event coverage, lifestyle photography, and videography.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My team. Photography is a lone wolf kind of industry and team leadership isn’t usually a skill photographers need to hone or utilize. I learned I was a natural, empathetic leader when members of my team told me how much they value my transparency and leadership. I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to find colleagues to connect with and who connect with each other to create a true “work fam” at my studio. We truly learn from and grow with each other and that’s such a hard team dynamic to find in any industry.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Several years ago I was battling with infertility and going through the IVF process to hopefully get pregnant. It was a long, scary, and lonesome journey and I felt very much like I was suffering in silence through it, sharing the fact with only a few very close friends. It was an art therapist who recommended I use photography to explore and share my feelings, so I created a series of self portraits and shared them with a rather large community: tens of thousands of my business’s newsletter subscribers. The outpouring of respect and support was overwhelming and I felt so powerful because of it. Not just because I felt seen and heard through my pain, but since so many other people also opened up to me about similar struggles, I realized that there’s power in being vulnerable and sharing that vulnerability with those around you.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I had the honor of recently meeting Valerie Jarrett: former senior advisor to President Barack Obama and the longest running advisor to any U.S. President in history. Her presence has an unmistakable strength that I feel all women have in them and aspire to present to the world. I’ve never been in awe, intimidated by, and simultaneously comforted by another human being as I have with her. She is warm, empathetic, patient, and genuinely connects with people even if she is only in their presence for a few moments. She just exudes the kind of confidence and empathetic strength I admire and hope to have people say about me some day.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m definitely doing what I was born to do and what I believe everyone was born to do: live their lives how we feel fit. We’re taught early that we’re supposed to “BE” something when we grow up, and to find our one great passion and follow it. It seems like sound advice because it implies that it’s virtuous to have goals, which I do believe it true. But it’s also a misleading and dangerous platitude. We as humans are complex creatures with multiple passions and goals and interests and we owe it to ourselves to explore as many as we can and follow our gut to find the many, not one, occupations, pastimes, and hobbies that fulfill us. The most interesting people I know have lived many lives in their one life and done many things, because they listened to themselves and what fulfilled them in that moment, and they were honest with themselves when that changed for them.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Organic Headshots

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