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Check Out Ali Michelle’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Michelle.

Ali, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m 23, from Redding, CA. I’ve been an aspiring photographer since I was in elementary school when I started doing photos for my school’s yearbook, leading to years of sports photography, school dance photobooths, and capturing people in the biggest moments of their life. My high school gave me my first DSLR camera and I was my school’s primary photographer – I was at every single event with a smile on my face, greeting (EVERYONE) with a hug, and snapping away. My goal has always been to do this for others. I have always wanted to give as much as I can. Even in junior high and high school, I knew that I was capturing people’s glory days and I wanted to give them my best. I always sent out a text after big events to give everyone involved a link to download all the photos for free. After high school, I was a little burnt out on photography and quit for a year. Until I got inspired by the sweetest, functionally homeless (is that even possible?) kindergartner. I was working as an after school teacher and this little boy, we’ll call him L, became my best bud.

Around Christmas in 2015, I took a photo of him on my phone, he was in a hand-me-down oversized Nike T-shirt with holes in it, it wasn’t meant to look stylish, but it did. I should the photo to his older brother, and his eyes got wide: “Could you please print this out for me for my mom for Christmas??” (Of course!!) That night as I was laying in bed, it hit me – photography can be more powerful than just snapping pics. These kids don’t have access to a home, let alone joyful photos of their childhood. I used all my college savings to buy a camera that week, and two weeks later I did a project I called The Value Project, which was free photos for at-risk kids. I took all the kids on free and reduced lunch in the after school program, got them fun treats, had them write on a handheld blackboard one positive word about themselves and took some joyful playground pictures of them. I had my friends, a local downhill longboarding crew come and film the project (https://youtu.be/eOOFhJn4q7s) It was powerful and encouraging. I tried to replicate the project at other schools, but the first one was only so amazing because I had a stronger relationship with those kids. I was more like a mentor than a stranger. The power of mentoring is strong.

At the same time, I was on the core team of a Mentoring Coalition called Catalyst Mentoring, so I ended up pouring time into that rather than the Value Project. BUT, the little film we made for it sparked some community interest for video production. So, the longboarding crew and I started a video production company called Value Productions (valueproductions.org). I also continued doing portraiture (alimichelle.co) throughout all of this. I ran the Value Productions business for 3 years, doing weddings, business promos, commercials, non-profit stories, etc. My team (Three 17-year-olds and me, a 20-year-old) even got to go to Greece for a month and film a documentary on the refugee crisis. (https://vimeo.com/298471571) We were and are passionate about showcasing the stories that matter. In 2019, I started realizing all the dreams in my heart were centered around the Los Angeles area. I made the tough choice to close Value Productions and shift into a move to LA. I started dreaming about concert photography, set-photography, and just being able to reach and impact more people in Los Angeles. I started figuring out what the types of people I hoped to work with here were, I came to the decision of hoping to work with inspiring creatives, to hopefully help business start-ups, or charities.

Basically, just be around and support people who are doing good. I want to get behind anything good and give all my support. In December of 2019, I reached out to a band that was coming through Redding on tour to get some concert photography practice in. I offered a pre-show photoshoot as well as live photos. The band was stoked and we met up, it was a blast. The band was “More Fatter,” an amazing group of the sweetest boys, we had an instant connection. They had just moved to LA and I told them I was planning on moving in April of 2020. They said they’d love to have me over for dinner once I moved down. Fast forward and COVID hit the world and destroyed everyone’s plans. I postponed my LA move indefinitely, until seven months after that small little concert with that random band of boys. One of the boys messaged me on Instagram out of nowhere and said “hey can you facetime in 10 mins??” I was like “sure, here’s my number haha” We hopped on a call and they basically said “We loved the couple hours we spent with you, would you be down to move in with us and be our photographer + videographer? As well as just get your footing in LA??”. Two weeks later, I moved to LA, leaving my hometown for the first time in my life, to move in with four boys who were essentially strangers. (My life motto is “Strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet”) And it was the best decision I have ever made in life.

My six months in LA, have been that of adventure, confidence building, getting a handle on my depression, meeting the coolest people and making connections (slowly and safely within the pandemic), and having the most fun with four boys who have become some of my best friends for life. I’ve got to work on their music video, create vlogs and band photoshoots, and most recently produce, direct, shoot, and edit a Live at Larrabee studios film of the song “Weirdo” I’ve got to meet and work with amazing business owners like Charlie Curtis (Indoorphins), Samantha Johnson (Pack Life LA), Linda Grace (San Marino Cafe), and more. It is such a gift to be able to help people share their story and their passions, as well as work with people who genuinely care about helping those in need. My time in LA has been short so far, but I’ve already made lifelong connections. I’m so excited for the opportunities ahead. The biggest lesson I’ve learned this year and the advice that I would give to others is to take that chance, big or small. Shoot that little concert in your town, you may end up moving to LA to live with the band and your life may change for the better. (Thanks, More Fatter) Reach out to the person who inspires you, they may end up being inspired by you as well and submitting you to the inspiration section of Voyage LA. (Thanks, Charlie) DM the business you want to emulate, they may hire you onto their core team. (Also, thanks Samantha) Do your thing, love others, send it <3

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No road is perfectly smooth, I’ve struggled with depression my whole life. Although it’s a new diagnosis for me, it’s been a big struggle ever since I could remember. It opens the floodgates of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and negative self-talk. And it also just makes getting out of bed to do regular tasks hard. Getting a handle on it fell perfectly into the beginning of my LA journey – my counselor and I came to the conclusion it’s probably a chemical mix up in my brain and something that medication could help. That’s one thing I want to start opening up a conversation in, getting rid of the stigma around mental health medications – most people need a little jump start for their brain chemicals to balance out. Life is hard, full of trauma after trauma, and we weren’t built to face all the crazy things we face in this day in age. I’m a very joyful and positive person by nature, so depression isn’t something that most people have known I’ve struggled with, but in the last six months, I’ve been trying to bring it to light and help people feel like they aren’t alone, because I know I felt alone in my depression. Surrounded by so many beautiful people, yet hiding how I was truly feeling. I’ve realized being honest and transparent with where you are at in life is the best way to not feel so alone. Also, anti-depressants have helped me to feel like myself again, regain inspiration and start connecting + being creative. I also moved from a conservative town into a more liberal footing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a people-driven photographer and videographer. What sets me apart is capturing real life, bringing out the fun and joy in people. Creating a care-free and safe place in my shoots. I want people to feel comfortable and encouraged while shooting with me. I feel like I can connect with any type of person, which is a gift to me. I’m known for bringing positivity.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
People, friends, seeing others thrive in their passions. I love to be a supporting role to people, it brings me so much happiness to lighten the load for others. I love adventures as well as cozy at home days with my people. My puppy makes me happy, too <3

Pricing:

  • $500 Hour Photoshoot Session
  • $1000 Minimum Video Day-Rate

Contact Info:

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