Meet Michele Blackwell of MAB Studio in Westside

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Blackwell.

Michele, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2010, my mother, Annie, asked me to go with her to a portrait studio so that we could have our picture taken together. I didn’t want to go, but my mother’s birthday was in a few days, so I reluctantly agreed. Two weeks later, she went into the hospital for what was supposed to be a routine surgery. She never came home. Following complications from her surgery, she spent several months in the hospital before passing away. The last pictures we took together, are now my most valuable possessions. They are also the inspiration for my business.

Before Miss Annie came ill, I was a corporate executive, but I wasn’t vitally self-expressed. I wasn’t happy. Just before she died Miss Annie urged me to create a life that I loved. I’ve been working towards that ever since.

Today I have a portrait studio and multimedia content creation lab in Los Angeles. I pride myself on providing compelling, wall-worthy portraits for families and engaging content for brands of all sizes. Creating my studio felt like coming home. I love inviting people into my studio and helping them tell their stories.

On my desk, I have pictures of my mother. In one, she is pregnant with me, sitting before her art table at an advertising agency where she once worked as a production artist. There is also a snapshot of her walking through a field with her Nikon SLR. They are nested with an image of my father laboring over his drafting table. They remind me that the inclination to create quite literally runs through my DNA. I see my work as the continuation of the legacy they started.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all and bumps, and obstacles continue to show up along the way.

The biggest hurdle 1s believing in myself as a creator. Although I feel so much more confident today, I realize that the doubt never entirely goes away. You have to show up and do the work, create things, anyway. The struggle between Art and Fear is ongoing. Fear only wins when you stop making art.

Growing a business in a competitive market like Los Angeles is challenging. Being seen and heard is hard work in a city where so many shine so brightly. But I believe that there is room enough and possibility for everyone. I like to think of clients as members of your village. You have to keep building it up.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the MAB Studio story. Tell us more about the business.
When I get referrals, the new clients often tell me that person who referred them, “just loved working with you.” That’s music to my ears. I pride myself on providing a fantastic experience, on making portrait-taking comfortable and fun.

You don’t take amazing pictures, you receive them. My job is as much about providing physical and emotional space that allows my client’s personality to shine through as it is about clicking the shutter. My goal is to make the studio space, warm, inviting and intimate. When people are happy and relaxed, we create better pictures together.

I’m an advocate of personal branding for everyone, so I am always asking questions. I want to know everyone’s story and help them tell it visually.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe in Providence. It led me to find an affordable studio space, which is no small feat in Los Angeles.

And, this business is built on determination and a series of little miracles that I have received along the way. Some times the blessing is an unexpected check. Or, it could be someone who says just the right words of encouragement and the perfect time.

Contact Info:

• Address: MAB STUDIO
  1410 Stearns Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90035
• Website: www.mabstudioportraits.com
• Phone: 310-995-5007
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @mabstudio_photography
• Facebook: MAB Studio @mabstudiomultimedia

Image Credit:
Personal Photo was taken by Anita Wilson (www.anitawilsonportrait.com).
All other photos by Michele Blackwell

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