Rising Stars: Meet Linda Michele-Dobel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Michele-Dobel.  Linda and her team share their story with us below:

“Celebrating the modern woman through feminine portraiture.”

Linda Michele-Dobel is a professional portrait artist and the founder of LMD Boudoir & Women’s Fine Portraiture. She operates her studio in Brighton, Michigan as well as offsite locations throughout the country. They are an accredited studio with over 13+ years of offering personalized sessions to 1200+ women.

Linda’s love of photography began early in life with inspiration coming from her parents, high school photography teacher, and having been surrounded as a child with beautiful publications like Vogue, Life, and National Geographic.

The curiosity of people and culture drove Linda’s passion to explore personalities through her lens.

“In order to capture a person’s emotions and true self it is important that they feel comfortable enough to reveal themselves to me. As an artist, I see my role as creating images, not just “taking photographs.”

Her many dimensions of work have earned awards and accolades from clients and have been featured in numerous publications.

In 2022 she won 1-100 Best of Boudoir photographers 2022 by the International Association of Boudoir Photographers.

Her work is recognized for its classic, light, airy, soft, empowering, and feminine capture of women.

Linda is an active member of The Association of International Boudoir Photographers, and the Past President of The Livingston County Photographers Group 2005-2009

She defines success by exceeding the expectations of her clients through quality customer service, creative hair, and make-up and by producing images that are a precise balance of form, light, and ideas.

Our mission is to provide a luxurious, empowering, private, safe experience for all women.

Specializing in: Boudoir, Maternity, Personal Branding, and Headshots.

Appointment only studio

Boudoir can be for brides, anniversaries, birthdays, expectant Moms, a confidence boost, new career, pre/post-cancer diagnosis, or more importantly, for yourself just because you deserve it.

Creating images that represent your inner and outer beauty at any stage in your life.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There has been struggles with this side of the Boudoir business, more so in regard to educating the public what Boudoir is, not just sexy pictures, not porn, yes some sadly think so. It’s far deeper, feeling sexy/vibrant/alive is only one small facet of my images.

I shoot more meaningful portraits, it’s about self-love, empowerment, breaking through vulnerability, acceptance and for many, it’s therapy.

Being a member of the Association of International Boudoir Photographers has really helped raise the bar in the Boudoir/Photography industry.

From the business standpoint, I photograph about 50% of the time and the rest of the business is spent editing, marketing, administration, consultations, reveals, social media, events.  A small portion of the business is actually photographing clients. I photograph Boudoir sessions no more than two times per week due to the physical and mental exhaustion it can take on me.

I started back in film & slides, and the industry changed very quickly once digital emerged. Social media took over, cell phones, changes in products and consumer needs.

If I have one regret, it’s not starting my business sooner. I started much later in life, after spending 27 years in the medical/corporate world. As I look back, I’m sure that those 27 years prepared me for the business side of photography, but I always think about where I could have been at this point in my career.

Lastly is keeping up with the latest technology, as of recent, mirrorless cameras, social media reels, daily posts meeting the needs of algorithm. Also, always new editing software options, storage, etc.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
If it wasn’t for my all-female team of hair and Make-up artists, and my amazing clients, I wouldn’t be where I’m at this point in my career.

We are a team that provides the total experience. Each client is provided with a styling consultation, and we all put our creative minds together based on vision, client clothing choices, and comfort levels.

The Boudoir industry has really grown over the past seven years. I can proudly say that my work stands out… known for its classic, light, soft, airy, editorial, feminine look. I’ve stayed with my vision and haven’t shot much based on current trends. Many new trends that I see have NO empowerment value.

We do offer a private VIP group on Facebook, women only; no photographers allowed. It’s a group of approx. 1500 women who talk Boudoir, self-love, life, children, beauty tips, etc. It’s a safe place where there is no judgement; we are there to support each other.

It’s also where I provide Make-over Mondays, what to wear Wednesdays, share new work, specials, and ladies’ night out events.

Any time you see any of my images, do know that I have been given written consent to show those images, I take my client’s privacy very serious. These ladies that are brave enough to share their journey, are also aware how it empowers other women who are on the fence. It’s the push some may need.

Currently we are booking out 5-6 months in advance for sessions.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in a household of creatives and strong work ethic. My father was a hairdresser that worked hard and could be found at 1-2 of his salons. Weekends as a child included working in his salon, this will age me, teasing hairpieces, putting them in the dryer, and then being so proud when the women would pick them up.

Being surrounded by women, and seeing the impact my father had on making them each feel special had a lot to do with my interest in photography and wanting to make every women feel special. I was intrigued with fashion magazines, anything that had to do with beauty, color, design. This all from a girl who was a BIG tomboy. I’m blessed that I grew up in a household that encouraged individualism, never ever were there conversations on weight or diet, only reminders to be proud of ourselves and our bodies.

My Mom did some modeling when she came to the USA from the Netherlands. She continued to do hair shows as well as run the fashion shows that were done quarterly at my father’s salons. She also ran Dad’s salons, so I learned so much from her.

My Mom, siblings, and grandmother are/were all creative. Cooking, sewing, flowers, drawing. In fact my husband is also, but he has stayed in the corporate side. I think he has been able to see how hard it is to make the big jump/risk of being an entrepreneur. It’s not all glamorous, it’s not for the weak. I live this job 24-7 but it’s worth it.

I love the museum and continue to visit the DIA in Detroit for inspiration. Vintage/farmers markets, travel,  nature all provide inspiration.

I’m a second-born child, I think they may explain a lot right there, haha I’m known for my energy, love of the arts, music, food, travel, outdoors, rivers, hiking, flowers, architecture and animals. I’ve always been intrigued by people, cultures, how we humans work. I love the complexity and trying to figure it out.

Pricing:

• Session Fee includes professional hair, make-up, and lashes is $495.
• Albums starting at $1300
• Ala Carte and collections available
• Payment plans available

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lmdboudoir.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lmdboudoircom/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lmdphotographyboudoir