We were lucky to catch up with Lindsey “Lensy” Michelle recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lindsey “Lensy”, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
New England isn’t exactly known for nontraditional weddings… (the understatement of the year!!). However, I think that being a nontraditional wedding photographer in a place where that isn’t the norm is actually really special! For me, it has meant that when someone finds my work, they usually don’t have a ton of other photographers they are considering.
When I first started doing wedding photography, I felt a lot of pressure to play it safe and try to appeal to as many people as possible. Of course, when you’re newer, it can be scary to think that anything you post might work to deter someone from wanting to work with you. However, now I actually try to do the opposite! I prefer to stand out, and honestly, so do the people that choose to hire me for their wedding. My kind of people are boldly expressive of their personalities and excited for how they can personalize their wedding based on what is going to be the most fun for them.
My kind of couples have no interest in a wedding that feels like every other wedding. (Frankly, neither do I!) Instead, my kind of couples are excited to have a wedding that feels so much like them that it couldn’t possibly be for anybody else.
I also openly talk about how I’m queer. For me, if that makes someone not want to hire me, that’s probably a good thing for both of us! Haha. Being open about being queer has also opened up so many conversations with LGBTQ+ couples who are happy to know that they are hiring someone who fully stands behind their love story and won’t make them feel weird on their wedding day.
In summary: Why blend in when you can stand out? If your work is unique compared to your competition, it means that your unique perspective is worth more because if someone wants what you provide, they really cannot find it anywhere else. It is to the benefit of you and those you work with to be boldly yourself and use the work you create as a beacon to connect with more people who love you and your work, just as it is!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m always working to make my brand more colorful and expressive than it was the year before, and I’m always looking to partner with other wedding professionals who have the most fun with weddings that are a little different from the norm. I love design and event choices that are inspired by the story and style of the couple!
I find most wedding photos unbearably boring. They all look the same. In a way, this is to be expected when you photograph the same type of event again and again, but I prefer to focus on what makes each day different rather than what makes them the same.
My process is very “get to know you” focused, and then we build ideas from there!
My formal background is actually in neuroscience, psychology, and the biological basis of behavior. I was working in a brain imaging lab at MIT prior to leaving to start my own photography business.
For me, I was interested in neuroscience because it offered a biological perspective into empathy and acceptance. It offered tools to answer questions such as “your brain is different from others in X way and that is why your experience in the world is different in X way.” Not that every difference between people has an inherently biological basis, but this way of thinking really makes you appreciate the things that make people different from one another. I carry that way of thinking with me through my work in photography.
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?
My own personal style: I’m fairly maximalist and colorful when it comes to my style choices. I love bold colors, wearing multiple patterns at one time, and clothing that stands out as you walk down the street. For me, the way that I express myself is a beacon to find others that also have fun playing with their creative expression in one way or another.
My background in cognitive science and the biological basis of behavior: I explained this a bit already in the last question, but really I loved studying the brain and psychology. I’m fascinated by people and the little quirks that make everyone so different. I chase these little sparks as I document your wedding day and I think that’s why my photos usually look super different from celebration to celebration. My game plan for each day is unique for each couple and the stories we collectively decided to tell and in what ways.
I blend in – but NOT in my style choices or in the work I create. The best way to summarize how I work is to say that I match the energy in the room. I try my best to encourage people to continue doing what they are doing prior to me showing up with a camera. For example, there is a difference between hopping on the dance floor and shoving a camera in someone’s face vs. getting on the dance floor WITH them, dancing alongside while taking photos. The first approach leads people to feel funny and stop dancing, while the second encourages them to continue on just as they were. If the energy is calm, I am calm. If the energy is hype, well then that’s what I am too.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My kinda people know exactly who they are and refuse to settle for anything less than what feels exactly like them on their wedding day. They aren’t all loud in the traditional sense (though sometimes they certainly are), but they are all confident in knowing who they are and will advocate for what feels best for them.
My kinda people also usually have fun with experimenting with how they express themselves. Sometimes this takes the form of fashion and other times this is through their interaction with music, writing, or design.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lensymichelle.com
- Instagram: lensymichelle
Image Credits
All by me, Lensy Michelle Photography
