Stephanie came to me a while ago, needing a new headshot. So she signed up for a business casual session with me.

Stephanie was after more than just a pretty picture… she wanted one that showed her personality.

One that showcased a bit of who she IS.

Ta-da!

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Like what you see? Click here to find out which of my sessions would suit YOU best.

But then I turned 30. My metabolism slowed down and my weight started to fluctuate and distribute itself a bit differently. Places like Forever 21 and American Eagle were no longer as body-friendly as they’d been before, and I had many frustrating moments with the mirror in the changing rooms. And the styles had changed so drastically that I looked like I was pretending I was still 16. (I sooooo wasn’t.) But the few times I stepped foot into the “women’s” section of a store, I just wanted to cry. The items looked old and dowdy… and I really didn’t want to purchase something that my grandmother might wear. And I just didn’t have the budget to shop in the places I wanted to.

I felt stuck. I found a few “safe” stores and purchased some “safe” clothing. But I felt like I was disappearing. In a strange transitional age and stage of my life, I just didn’t know how to dress to properly express myself anymore.

 And then I met Nicole Longstreath of The Wardrobe Code.

Nicole was in need of some new images for her “thrifted wardrobe” feature for her blog, and so I become her new photographer. And I learned a LOT from her along the way. Soon after the first feature, I was hooked. I excitedly welcomed her into my home (and inside my scary closet) where she performed her Ready-Set-Dress service. By the time she left, my closet had been organized so I could SEE what was there to work with, a bunch of unnecessary (unflattering) items were purged, my outfits had been planned for the next two weeks, and I had a shopping plan so I could fill in the holes of what was “missing.”

A favorite place for Nicole to shop is an Orange County Goodwill store. Because, let’s face it… we’re in Orange County, and people get rid of some pretty good stuff here. And, as Nicole has told me several times before… since the clothing is so inexpensive, shopping at a Goodwill store not only allows you to spend less and get more, but also allows you to take more fashion risks than you otherwise might have if you were paying full price.

I’ve been on several shopping trips with Nicole to the Goodwill stores. The first time inside, I was soooooo incredibly overwhelmed. There was just so much to look at… had I been by myself, I think I would have walked back out. But Nicole was awesome… not only did she go through everything quickly and efficiently, but she taught me a LOT as we went through it together. Look for THIS, leave THAT… the conversation was filled with lots of useful WHYs and BECAUSEs. And now, I feel empowered. I am slowly building up a better wardrobe for myself.

I’m uber-proud to show off my haul from my latest trip to the Goodwill a couple weeks ago:

items purchased: 10 shirts and 1 purse

grand total spent: only $55

I was in heaven! Not only did I pick up a few things I’d been searching for, but some of the items were name-brand and brand new, as well. Here’s a quick casual outfit I put together for the afternoon from some of my fave Goodwill goodies (new orange top, purse and earrings all from the Goodwill):

This might sound strange… but I felt like a million dollars. I’ve come a long way from blending into the crowd. I’ve embraced pattern, color, accessories, and HIGH HEELS! In short, I’ve embraced my powerful charismatic feminine side and I’m giving her a BIG hug!!!

And I feel more like myself than ever before.

 That’s why I’m excited to share this opportunity with you. Nicole is hosting an upcoming workshop where she will be teaching YOU the skills needed to reclaim your wardrobe!

Workshop contents:

• Accept & Love the Person You are Today
• Understand How Your Habits Affect Your Wardrobe
• Identify Your Signature Style
• Organize Your Closet for Stress-Free Mornings
• Curate a Wardrobe that is Stylish and Functional
• Shop Strategically & Save Money
• Build a “Free-Range” Wardrobe
• Maximize Your Wardrobe Without Shopping
• Create Expert Color Schemes
• Make it Work – EVERY DAY!

Click here for all the details.

I promise you, this workshop will totally be worth it. I don’t share something unless I truly believe in it, and I truly believe that Nicole Longstreath of The Wardrobe Code has been a HUGE factor in helping me reclaim my confidence. My exterior finally matches my inner sparkle.

And as a special THANK-YOU, Nicole is offering a special discounted rate to all my friends & fans! Register using code RECLAIM022 for a discounted ticket of $129 (regular price: $150). Click here to learn all about it, or click here to skip right to registration.

And get ready to EXPRESS YOURSELF!

Introducing Rachel Hulan of Hulan Design. 

Rachel is friendly, funny, very knowledgeable and way, WAY creative. She is totally UN-boring and loves putting her creativity to good use in order to find clever and unique solutions. And by focusing on incorporating sustainable design into what she does, she’s definitely created a niche for herself. Her resume speaks volumes (and you can read more about her here). But how do you get all of this information across to someone when they only have a few seconds to make up their mind? Why, with the addition of a few great photos, of course!

Rachel had recently re-branded her business and was about to launch the new website. What better time to start fresh with some new photos that go beyond the boring headshot? Enter the business casual portrait session. So much more than standard headshots, this portrait session is designed to tap into the person behind the business.

Details on Rachel’s session: though she travels all over the country for her business, home is where the heart is… as evidenced by the amazingly gorgeous home office she set up for herself. We started our shoot in there in order to showcase her space. While Rachel is quite modern and just the right amount of funky, there’s definitely a sense of history to her style, and she’s drawn to pieces with a story behind them… blending the old & the new in a fabulous kind of way.

Rachel also has a beautiful inspiration board set up which she is constantly adding to. So of course we wanted to capture just a glimpse of it. And check out that DESK of hers! It’s actually one of her favorite pieces and has been with her for a very long time. And the details… we just had to include one of her favorite pieces in the photos since it is pretty much a staple in her office… a simple white mug from The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.

We decided to race the sunset and finish up our photo session in Laguna Beach. Just because we COULD. Ha! No, really… the beach is such a  beautiful place, and what better way to show off some of the Southern California scenery, right?

Now that you’ve been properly introduced, feel free to stop on by Rachel’s site and say hello.

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Ready to PLAY along? There’s still time to book a MINI-SESSION for yourself, taking place this Saturday.

Celebrating with a bit of bubbly…

There was no way I was going home empty-handed… and THIS ornament was calling my name (or should I say, my DOG’S name).

Imagine my surprise and utter delight when Timree sent me home with a personalized gift… how CUTE are these notecards?!

I was so glad that I was there to support such an amazing artist and friend on such a great day, and I can’t wait to be there to celebrate many more successes in the future.

Learn more about Timree Gold by clicking here to visit her website.

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Allow me to introduce my latest “business casual” client… local artist Timree Gold!

I was immediately drawn to Timree’s smile and personality. She just radiates JOY. And anyone who’s ever been to her place can agree that it is the absolutely cutest art studio ever!

We met up at her studio for a couple of hours of fun together. Armed with pumpkin lattes and a radio blasting the latest tunes (to get us in the right mood), we were set. Snap, snap, snap. And along the way, Timree started to sparkle. (Sometimes, quite literally…)

Wasn’t I right? Isn’t this the CUTEST art studio you’ve ever seen???!!!

And check out her creative space. This is where the magic happens.

Showing off some of her adorable packaging.

And this. THIS made me happy.

Interested in a Business Casual Session of your own? Contact me to learn more!

So if you’re in business for yourself, it’s increasingly important to have a good picture to showcase the person behind the business. Yes, you can still use a classic headshot. But as the desire for personal connection grows, why not show off a bit more of your personality?

Introducing: my new “business casual” sessions.

Perfect for the entrepreneur, it’s a chance to get some creative photos of yourself in your favorite space. Showing off who you are and what you do, these photos are a fantastic way to let people get a glimpse of who you really are… and an easy way to update your online presence and print materials.

Want to learn more? Check out this session with Nicole Longstreath, of The Wardrobe Code.

In her own words:

I’m Nicole Longstreath and I am a wardrobe coach in Costa Mesa. I challenged myself to shop only at Goodwill stores and, in the process, learned how to build expressive wardrobes on a budget. My business is all about teaching clients to use clothing as a tool to transform their lives. I love my new pictures because they look fantastic, but I really loved the photo session because Michelle was able to coax me out of my shell to reveal my true personality.

Nicole runs a “thrifted wardrobe” feature on her blog, and was in need of some updated pictures to show off the newest outfits. And so, we played. Check out a few samples below, or head on over to her site to see even more. Nicole is absolutely fabulous, and has a fantastic eye for fashion. It’s truly a gift. And her passion for fashion is addicting! (p.s.: most of the items featured below were thrifted!)

Interested in a session of your own? Click here to learn more about my sessions.

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Wanna play? LAST CHANCE for fall mini-sessions happening this Saturday. Click here to learn more.