I am the product of a photographic family. At a very early age I was introduced to the art while my father operated a studio in Downtown Johnstown. Growing up, photography was always a part of life…and I have mounds of photographs to prove it! A camera was present for all family trips and events in order to capture as much as possible so the time was never forgotten.
I’m a wife and mother now and photography means more to me now than it ever has before – just as it was for my father when he was a new parent. My children allowed my passion of capturing their lives through the viewfinder to come to the surface. When I look back over the obscene amount of photographs I have taken of my kids, it does nothing but warm my heart and put me back in those moments when they were taken.
Whether I look at quick snapshots or fully retouched portraits of my children, I’m always so happy I took the time to make a moment stand still.
Custom portraiture is a way to artistically make moments of your children’s lives stand still in a very not-so-ordinary way. Time can stand still…
Continued Study, Associations & Accolades…
I am always learning! I have attended two PPA (Professional Photographers of America) seminars hosted by Johnstown’s own, Bob Hancock of Hancock Photography, in November 2005 and April 2006. I have been a member of the PPA since 2007.
In January 2010, Johnstown Magazine featured me along with eight other locals in their “Up & Comers” story. My involvement with the non-profit organization Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep was the story and I’m very honored to have been able to continue to spread the word about this amazing organization.
The biggest 2009 news for the studio has been our new location! I set up shop at 1500 Ferndale Avenue in late October and it has been a nice transition from home studio to retail location. I have expanded from a two-room area to over 900 square feet of space including two camera rooms, comfortable sitting room, playroom for the kids and a special mom’s room/changing room complete with its own private restroom. Maintained in the move is the cozy environment my clients have come to know from Michelle Misner Photography.
Last year, 2009, gave me the opportunity to photograph the students of Geneva House Preschool and Concepts Dance Studio for the third year in a row! I photographed, for the first time, the Westmont Youth Football teams and cheerleading squads late last summer and it was a fantastic experience! I look forward to seeing all the little ones again in 2010.
December 2008 I had the privilege of photographing the cover of the Johnstown Magazine BRIDES magazine. It was such a fun experience. The shoot was done at the Holiday Inn, Downtown Johnstown. Gowns and jewelry were provided by Celestial Brides; flowers by Portage Floral; hair and makeup by M&M Hair Studio and the beautiful model was Miss Shannon Doyle, Pennsylvania’s Miss Armstrong County.
From 2007 until the end of 2008 I was the Vice President of the Greater Johnstown Camera Club. The GJCC is the oldest and longest-running club in Johnstown’s history, dating back to the 1930s. Photographers of all levels meet once a month to discuss photography and compete in intra-club competitions.
July of 2008 was the GJCC exhibition – year 2! Again, I showed 6 of my favorites and the exhibition was well received. I was featured in Our Town on the 24th of July in conjunction with the exhibition. The article is posted on the blog.
In January 2008, I participated in a GJCC field trip to the Ligonier Ice Fest. It was COOOOLD, but what a great opportunity to see ice carving in progress. What talent!
The GJCC held it’s first exhibition at the Community Arts Center in June 2007. I provided 6 of my favorites.
I participated in the 2nd Annual Fall Workshop in October 2006, offered by Village Photo & Framing. It was a beautiful, albeit COLD, weekend. The sun was shining and the fall colors were in full force.
In May 2006, I competed in my first competition – the annual GJCC Photo Contest. This competition is open to the public, as well as the Camera Club members. Over 150 photos were entered this year. I was very honored to be awarded first place in the Landscape category and third place in the People category. Three judges made their way through all of the entries and had to agree on the top five photos for the two categories, along with then selecting the winner of a special Black & White category.
In October 2005, I participated in my first outdoor Fall workshop given by Johnstown’s own John Allen and Jim Richey of Village Photo & Framing. It was a cold and rainy, yet very fun day of photographing the Autumn colors in the Cambria County area. I was able to take my time and concentrate on honing the skill of landscape and general outdoor photography.
