celebrities – True Light Images

The Total Package Tour

May 15, 2017May 16, 2017Posted in boy bands, celebrities, concert, new kids on the block, photography, UncategorizedTagged Abdul, band, boy, concert, music, nkotb, package, Paula, photography, totalLeave a comment

So. If you have ever had a conversation with me you inevitably will find out I am an NKOTB fan and have been since 1989. I have also written a blog or two about my concert going experiences on my personal blog Chellebelle416

You also will know Paula Abdul was one of the women I admired most and looked up to. I loved the fact she was 5’2 (I am 5’0) and was a dancer and singer, which is what my dream was growing up. It gave me hope that if she could do it so can I. She is very much an inspiration in my world.
I also have a big place in my heart for Boyz II Men. I have all their albums and have been a fan since day one. Even made up a dance routine to Motownphilly in 8th grade in hopes of auditioning for Star Search and becoming famous.

So of course this concert was like my inner 14 year old’s dream come true.

My friend and I bought tickets when they went on sale.

Fast forward to about a week and a half before the day of the show.

I follow Local Spins, which is a local radio show on WYCE and online publication that showcases local music and events. I saw their post about the upcoming weeks events and of course the Total Package Tour was mentioned.
I decided on a wing and a prayer to reach out to them and see if they needed a photographer to cover the event. A few days went by and I honestly had kind of not thought about it or expected not to hear back because it was so close to the day of the show. Well, I got an email on the day before the show saying that they did need a photographer and that I would be able to work!! I was so excited! It was like a dream come true!!

So thanks to Local Spins I got to fulfill my photographer dream of shooting my favorite guys for a publication and bonus that Paula Abdul and Boyz II Men were part of the show.

It was an experience I will never forget, and one I want to do again.
I knew that I wanted to be a concert photographer but now that I have had a taste of it I am hooked! Now time to save up and make sure I have the proper gear!

Thank you so much Local Spins! I cannot wait to work on future projects!!

Here is a link to the photo gallery Local Spins Week in Review Photo Gallery

These are the images featured in the gallery

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And here are some of my personal shots that I shot with my cell. I was right next to the stage in the pit, which was amazing! If you are a fan this is a must see show!

Here are a few videos, they are pretty short… (snapchat and such)

©Michelle Smith/True Light Images 2017

Downtown Live 3.25.17

April 5, 2017April 7, 2017Posted in celebrities, city, clothes, clothing, college, fashion, grand rapids, magazine, michigan, modeling, models, photographer, photographers, photography, photojournalist, Uncategorized, west, west michiganTagged business, downtown, downtowngr, face, fashion, first, grand, GRMI, igotface, local, localfirst, magazine, makeup, mannequins, michigan, model, modeling, models, mua, rapids, smallLeave a comment

On Saturday March 25 select businesses in the downtown Grand Rapids area got creative and put on a live mannequin display in their window in an event called Downtown Live.

I had so much fun photographing I Got Face‘s entry and watching all the hard word and creativity that goes into an event like this.
The team that put together I Got Face’s store front won best makeup and that was very exciting! Congrats to you all!

Latesha Lipscomb – Owner of I Got Face Cosmetic Concierge/ MUA

Eric Gerson – MUA

Tiffany Moody- MUA

Alice- model

Shypane – model

2015 Grand Rapids Comic-Con

October 23, 2015December 8, 2019Posted in celebrities, comic, comic books, comiccon, conventions, grand rapids, michgian, west michiganTagged adorable, blerd, celebrities, comiccon, comics, convention, costumes, DC Comic, fun, geek, grand, grand rapids, grandrapidscomicon, henson, life, marvel, muppets, nerd, star, star trek, superhero, transformers, trek, warsLeave a comment

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a geek/nerd at heart.

Three years ago, when I first heard about Grand Rapids Comic-Con, I was super excited. For years I have been dreaming about going to similar conventions, like the big one in San Diego. When the first Grand Rapids Comic-Con was held, I was not able to go, due to it selling out immediately. It was a small space (the home school building in Wyoming) and they had no clue of the sheer number of people it would draw immediately.

Second year I was fortunate to be able work at the convention, which moved to the DeltaPlex, and I loved every moment. I got to meet Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura, on the original Star Trek. That was an honor, one I will cherish always.

Now, in its third year, it has moved to it’s rightful location, DeVos Place. I walked into the convention center and was totally in awe of the costumes, the presentation of the convention and just how well ran it all was. The costumes are always the highlight and the convention goers really brought it this year. I wish I had a chance to catch the costume contest and some of the panels and such but, with me working most of the weekend, my time was limited.

This year I was honored to be able to meet Caroll Spinney. Meeting the man behind the bird and the grouch, surreal. To be able to speak with the man that had been a part of the amazing legacy that was/is Jim Henson and the Muppets, absolutely incredible. I have been a huge fan of Henson and the Muppets since I can remember. It was like meeting my childhood hero. Big Bird was my favorite when I was itty bitty actually. (Check out the cake for my fourth birthday)
Also at this years “con”, I was able to meet Mark Ryan, who voiced the character Bumblebee, and others, from the Michael Bay Transformers franchise. Marina Sirtis, who played Counselor Deanna Troi, on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Also Dickey Beer who worked on Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. I also met Walter Jones, one of the original Power Rangers but I didn’t get a chance to snag a photo which I regret. There were also many other comic book artists, artists and actors there as well. Plus a lot of fun activities and gadgets.

I am so happy to have the opportunity to work this awesome convention and hope to continue to work it year after year. It has been a completely amazing experience to see it grow so rapidly and have the chance to be a part of the beginnings of this awesome event.

It was a fun weekend. And one I will look forward to every year. I was dead tired by the end of it but didn’t want it to end.
I highly recommend going!

© 2015 Stellafly Media / True Light Images

Caius and Latesha

August 27, 2015August 27, 2015Posted in babies, boys, celebrities, children, city, clothes, fashion, grand rapids, magazine, michigan, modeling, photographers, photographyTagged adorable, african, american, babies, baby, beautiful, black, bond, boy, child, children, cute, editorial, ethnic, family, fashion, gorgeous, grand, handsome, love, magazine, male, michigan, model, modeling, mother, photographer, photography, photojournalism, portfolio, preschool, rapids, son, westLeave a comment

One of the many rewards to being a photographer is being able to watch the little ones you shoot grow up.
I have done quite a few shoots with Caius and am honored to have been able to document and create memories for him and his wonderful mother Latesha since he was a newborn.

This three year old has such a big, fun personality. An absolute joy to be around!

Natalia – Class of 2015

August 5, 2015August 19, 2015Posted in celebrities, children, city, clothing, families, family, fashion, grand rapids, magazine, michigan, photographers, photography, photojournalist, portraits, seniorTagged 2015, african, american, beautiful, biracial, black, children, cute, daughter, fashion, female, grand, grand rapids, michigan, photographer, photography, photojournalist, portraits, rapids, senior, west, west michiganLeave a comment

This beautiful young lady is my goddaughter (though I call her my niece).
I am so proud of the intelligent, strong and compassionate young lady she has become.
Stay strong, keep moving forward and always reach for your goals. (Yes totally cliche but I mean it).

Congratulations Natalia!!
I love you!

616 Design Studio collaboration

March 14, 2015March 14, 2015Posted in business, celebrities, clothing, fashion, magazine, michigan, modeling, models, photographer, photographyTagged beautiful, cheeks, cute, deux, ethnic, eyewear, girls, glasses, modeling, models, photographer, photography, pretty, sunglasses, womenLeave a comment

Jamie Smith, owner of Deux Cheeks Eyewear and 616 Design Studio, and I collaborated on a shoot at the end of January. As usual it was a blast.
The two models, Jessie & Angioly, did a quick mini session as well.
Cannot wait for future collaborations.

Be sure to check out www.deuxcheeks.com for some cool, custom eyewear!!

All-Star Couture: Fashion Show

November 11, 2014November 11, 2014Posted in basketball, celebrities, college, fashion, fashion show, football, magazine, modeling, models, pageant, parents, photographer, photography, sportsTagged african, american, athletes, ball, basketball, beautiful, biracial, black, business, class, college, couture, cute, davenport, drew, fashion, football, grady, grand, GVSU, kelvin, local, male, michigan, modeling, models, neitzel, photographer, photography, rapids, runway, sports, state, thomas, university, valleyLeave a comment

Here are a few shots from the All-Star Couture Fashion Show that took place back in September.

This was an all male fashion show. The first one in Grand Rapids, actually. It featured some of our local athletes modeling fashion from local stores.

It was so much fun! I absolutely love fashion shows, and I would love to shoot a lot more of these. I felt so at home while snapping, it was an incredible sensation.

I also had the opportunity to capture the athletes/models as they prepped for the runway.

Jamie – Deux Cheeks

November 10, 2014November 11, 2014Posted in celebrities, magazine, photographer, photographyTagged cheeks, deux, entrepenuer, eyewear, grand, grand rapids, jamie, michigan, photographer, photography, rapids, westLeave a comment

One of my favorite things about being a photographer, inadvertently finding people you connect with.
That happened when I met this entrepeneur. We just hit it off and had such a blast together.

Jamie is the owner of Deux Cheeks eyewear, where she meticulously hand embellishes each pair of designer glasses.
This shoot is for a national publication, B.O.S.S-E Magazine, and that is very exciting for her and her business. I am excited to be the photographer she chose to use. Thank you Jamie!

Be sure to check out Deux Cheeks and their fantastic eyewear!

They are also on Facebook

True Light Images Photography

May 18, 2014May 18, 2014Posted in babies, celebrities, children, concert, family, magazine, modeling, music, parents, photography, portraits, UncategorizedTagged adorable, african, american, baby, beautiful, child, children, daughter, family, female, grand, images, life, love, michigan, model, modeling, musician, new, photographer, photography, portraits, true, womanLeave a comment

I put together this sort of digital portfolio at the beginning of 2014.

It was sort of a motivation tool to keep me focused on my goals.

New Kids on the Block and 98 Degrees

August 6, 2013April 25, 2016Posted in boy bands, celebrities, concert, magazine, music, new kids on the block, nkotb, photography, portraitsTagged adorable, beautiful, block, blockhead, Boston, boyband, Casino, concert, Danny, donnie, Eagle, hot, joe, Jon, jordan, kids, knight, love, mcintyre, michigan, Mt. Pleasant, new, nkotb, people, singer, Soaring, summer, teenager, wahlberg, woman, WoodLeave a comment

New Kids on the Block and 98 Degrees

Soaring Eagle Casino Mt. Pleasant, MI

July 29, 2013

I had so much fun seeing these men!!!! I absolutely adore New Kids on the Block!!! I have been a fan since 89. I love those men as though they are family… they truly are a piece of who I am.
It was bittersweet going to this show. One of my best friends passed away this past October. We met because of these guys and remained friends from that moment on. We met in middle school due to her wearing New Kids buttons and I asked to borrow one… and as they say… the rest is history. I miss her dearly every day but this was difficult to go through without her. She would have either been right there alongside me or I would have been able to tell her about it and share in the excitement.

They put on such a good show! I walked away wanting more! I wish I could see them all the time… lol

I was really impressed with 98 Degrees! I forgot how much I liked them until I realized I knew just about every song they sang!

It truly was an enjoyable night!! the weather was perfect and the show was amazing!!! Wish I coulda seen Boyz II Men but ah well…

I am blessed to have been able to capture the some of the show with my camera and am proud of some of the shots!!

So glad that they chose to go to Soaring Eagle!!! It might have been a bit of a smaller venue but it truly meant the world to us fans that were able to go!!!!

*Dedicated to G.M.P 1.7.78 – 10.26.12*