We recently had the chance to connect with Michele DeVries and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Michele, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ll start by saying, I feel so profoundly grateful to enjoy my work as much as I do, especially 21 years into my career. To derive joy from my work is such a gift. Outside of work, the thing bringing me the most joy as of late are my friendships. For the longest time I struggled to make friends (hugs to all the introverts out there). That was until five years ago when I began living and traveling full-time in an RV. On the road is where I’ve found my people and the number of dear friends I’ve made in the last five years never ceases to amaze me. I adore my friends and cherish our time together.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Michele and I’ve owned a photography business alongside my husband Mark since 2004. In 2006, after two years of photographing everything and anything, we made the decision to specialize in Colorado mountain weddings. That was the best decision we ever made. Our job takes us to the most breathtaking wedding venues in the state and the mountains have a way of attracting the most amazing, adventurous, down-to-earth couples.
Our mission as wedding photographers is to preserve the day and deliver photographs that feel the way it felt to be there. We’re not there to stage or manipulate anything. A wedding is such an incredible display of humanity, it doesn’t need our interference. What it requires of us it to pay attention so that we never miss a moment of connection, love, joy, elation, and admiration.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I grew up in a home that highly valued materialism. Because of that I believed that making money, and making as much money as possible, was priority number one in life. From a young age I dreamed of being a photographer but by the time I graduated high school I felt as though it was unlikely that would be a lucrative career. Instead, and following in my mom’s footsteps, I became a realtor. In very little time, the money was flowing into my bank account but at the same time I felt the job killing my spirit. I’m a creative-minded individual at heart and selling houses brought zero joy to my life. It only took one year as a realtor to decide that making a lot of money wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I decided to quit and go to photography school. My heart told me I would rather make little money and love my job than the other way around. What I discovered years later is that a career can be prosperous in numerous ways (financially, spiritually, emotionally) when you love what you do.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I miss the personal relationships in which I built my business around. When I was first starting out as a wedding photographer social media didn’t exist. In order to get my name out there, I emailed endless wedding venues, wedding planners, florists, etc. asking them if I could buy them lunch or a cup of coffee. Those in-person interactions built relationships that I still have to this day. But now, with social media, it’s all about getting your work in front of as many eyeballs as possible rather than building and nurturing relationships IRL. I miss that for sure.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
This is a great question and feels really important to me as a wedding photographer. I’ve witnessed so many trends come and go over the span of my career. It’s fascinating to watch the transition from something being wildly popular to becoming wildly outdated. I have found it best for myself and my business to not pay much attention to what the wedding industry is doing. Instead I follow my heart and the heart of my couples. What is important to them? That’s what’s important to me and helps guide me as a photographer.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I absolutely feel I’m doing what I was born to do and holy smokes do I feel unbelievably fortunate for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oncewest.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/once.west
Image Credits
All images copyright ONCEWEST Photography
