Meet Michelle. . .

 Michelle Rose Slape

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever. It remembers little things long after you have forgotten everything.”  Aaron Siskind

Location: Fairfield, CA

DOB: July 11

Animals: 200 an Indian Ringneck, Danger Cookie the leopard gecko, and Lexus a 3 month old Miniature Schnauzer puppy – disclaimer: my older son named the first two J

Facebook: MRS Photography (fan page name)

Twitter: MRSphotog

Blog:  http://www.mrsphotography.blogspot.com/

Website:  MRS Photography

Email: MRS@MRS-Photography.com

What's in your bag? (if you are building your bag, what do you desire for your bag?)

Canon 40D, 50 mm 1.8, 85 mm 1.8 and 28-135 mm 3.5

What's your favorite editing software? Most definitely, Lightroom

Favorite Food:  Mexican and Italian

Favorite Color: Pink

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

A few of your favorite things:

Coffee, Oprah, Scrapbooking, Photography, Traveling, Reading

What inspires you?

My children and the desire to give them the fulfilled childhood that I had.

Name something you just have to have every day:

My Blackberry! I feel so disconnected without it.

Tell us all about your journey into the world of photography. When did you realize that this is what you wanted to do and why.

I never wanted to be a photographer. I just loved taking pictures because I was a “memory preserver”. I have albums and albums full of pictures of all the places I’ve lived and the friends I’ve made along the way. I can remember exactly what was happening in each image. I wanted that same thing for my children. For them to have a memory of their childhood.

When my first son was born, I took pictures of him almost every day (6 years later he is beyond tired of taking pictures J). It was no different when my 2nd son was born 3 years later. Only this time I had the Refuse to Say Cheese DVD set and knew more techniques for storytelling. That made a HUGE difference in the way I took pictures of my children. Friends began to notice the difference too and started asking me to take pictures of their children.

My accidental photography business started in 2008. J Then it took about a year hiatus when I moved from San Diego to Northern California. After taking the Confidence workshop last June, I rediscovered the passion I had for photography and got my jumpstart again.

If you already have a photography business please tell us the name of your business, type of photography you do, how long you have been doing it, website address and blog information.

MRS Photography began in January 2008. I enjoy doing natural light, casual photography. Last year I took any session I was asked to do. J This year, I have a different mission. My desire is to become a specialist in photographing children and adults with Down Syndrome. http://www.mrs-photography.com/

Who is your favorite photographer that you follow and why?

I have two – Me Ra Koh and Carey Schumacher of Barefoot Memories. I was introduced to casual photography when Carey was first starting her business and she took pictures of kids in our playgroup. I loved that my son looked so natural in front of the camera instead of the “constipated” look in front of a studio camera. J I began following her work religiously and she in turn introduced me to Me Ra’s work. What I love most about Me Ra is her ability to relate to us. Even at her level, she shares the sames fears and hesitations that those of us starting out feel and most impressively, she shares them openly.

Besides photography, what else do you do , i.e. work, domestic engineer, volunteer?

I have the most fulfilling, yet hardest working job I have ever had in my life – full-time mom. I miss working in an office environment, but wouldn’t trade this for the world.

What are some of your other hobbies and/or things that you like to do besides photography?

I am an avid scrapbooker, or should I say collector (my craft room is LOADED with products that I don’t want to use because they are too cute J). Reading relaxes me so I try to do that frequently.

If there is one thing in the world that you would like to change, what would that be and why?

In my best Miss America response J – In my life there is nothing that I would want to change. Everything that has happened to me, good or bad, happened for a reason. I honestly believe that within all the “bad” there were lessons to be learned and because of that I would not change anything.

Name three things you would like to do before you die?

1) Visit every country in the world
2) Watch my children grow old and enjoy their life with their own children and grandchildren
3) Get caught up on scrapbooking!!! J

List three goals you would like to accomplish in 2010:

1) Establish myself as the go-to photographer for children and adults with Down Syndrome in Northern California
2) Lead my business without fear (is it just me or do any of you fear success as well?)
3) Learn better time management and not feel guilty for spending time on my business

Please tell us about the photos you are submitting and why they are your favorites.

This is the picture that I took right after watching Me Ra’s Refuse to Say Cheese DVD. I had received so many compliments on it that it is the one that made me decide to make the transition from mommarazzi to starting a business.

This image is from Me Ra’s workshop and I just love how the dad’s hand looks so safe

around the baby’s head. Without seeing the dad’s face you can still sense

his adoration and protection for his baby.

 I just love that they were sharing a “moment’.

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Thank you Michelle for sharing and letting us get to know you better! 

I think it is so commendable that you want to specialize in

Down Syndrome Photography and wish you the best of luck!

Be sure to become a fan of Michelle on FB and follow her blog and leave some comment love!