Exploring Life & Business with Michelle Bailey of Shocks Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Bailey

Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always loved photography; however, for most of my life, I considered it a hobby. After graduating with my Bachelor’s in music performance, I went into the Army bands and played clarinet for them. Shortly after arriving at my new unit, I was selected to be a part of the ‘Public Affairs Office,’ based solely on the fact that I could take an “in focus” photo, and I did let it slip it used to be a hobby of mine. My time in the Army was cut short; because I got medically discharged for having a labrum tear in my left hip and arthritis in my spin.

However, while I was in the Army I fell in love with photography, so after I got medically discharged, I started pursuing my Master’s degree in photography. The semester before I graduated, I was talking to another photographer about opening my own business. She highly suggested it be in pet photography since I talked about my cat, Hickory, so much. I started looking for animal shelters that needed photographer. My first day I took the worst photos I’ve ever taken, but I knew I found what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I quickly improved, because of my determination to give the shelter animals the best photo possible. After I finished my Master’s, I opened my pet photography business in January 2020 in Washington. Unfortunately, I had to close 3 months later due to Covid. I would stay closed until February 2021, because I had hip and endometriosis surgery. As soon as I reopened my business, I immediately got my first client (four hedgehogs!). However, then my husband was medically discharged from the Army, and we moved back to his home state, Michigan, in November of 2021. I’ve loved watching my business grow the past couple of years and learning what draws in Michiganders as clients.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My hip injury caused a lot of concern as to whether I could even be a pet photographer anymore or not. I was struggling quite a bit prior to my hip surgery. To put it simply, the surgery I needed is one step down from a full hip replacement. Most of the doctors wouldn’t even attempt it. Their argument was “some pain” is far better than the total lack of movement I could possible end up with. Then after my surgery, the physical therapist said while I would “probably” walk again, it would be very unlikely that I would ever run or hike. The motions and flexibility needed to be a pet photographer would be almost impossible. It was a huge struggle, but four months after my surgery I was doing all of it with no hip pain. I still give my cat, Hickory, a lot of credit for this. He was never a lap cat until I had my hip surgery. He laid on it all the time and the pain would simply go away each time.

We’ve been impressed with Shocks Photography , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business specializes in photographing pets. Their parents and siblings are more than welcomed to be in the photos as well, however, the focus will be on your pet(s). My photoshoots are priced and run differently from most photographers. Typically, photographers will charge for a 30-minute session or an hour session; however, I charge based on the amount of edited photos the client will receive after the photoshoot. I do it this way because some pets need more time to get used to me being there and/or being in front of a camera. Some pets could get 20 photos in 30 minutes, others pets could maybe get 3 photos. It just seems so unfair to the pets who need more time, so I don’t put a time limit on my sessions and charge on the amount of photos the client wants.

I do indoor (my house or the clients house) and outdoor photos, so if you have an indoor-only cat or it’s too cold to do a photoshoot outside, we also have the option of staying indoors. I also have Holiday and Seasonal promotions throughout the year, so there’s always a chance for clients to save money.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’ve based most of my business practices on Hickory (my cat) and Chloe (my dog), and what they would need if I would hire a photographer. They’re both rescues and are pretty sensitive. Some examples: First, both wouldn’t be able to work within a time frame, so I don’t have a time limit for my photoshoots. Second, the photographer would have to come to our house for Hickory, but Chloe would perform better outside of our home. I provide photoshoots that can be done at the pet’s home, at my house, or outdoors. Third, I use continuous lights rather than strobes (the lights that flash). Hickory and Chloe were both terrified of strobe lights. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another photographer offer these main three, and these would all be deal breakers with Hickory and Chloe. I do my best to make my business a place where all pets, no matter their needs, can be photographed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shocksphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shocksphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shocksphotography/