photography – True Light Images

Revisiting my old work

August 9, 2017Posted in grand rapids, magazine, photographer, photography, photojournalist, Uncategorized, west michiganTagged children, family, fun, life, local, music, people, photography, photojournalism, photos, pictures, womenLeave a comment

I decided to visit my Flickr account today.

I truly need to make that a more frequent thing than what it is.

I do love going back and seeing my work, the good and the bad. I like seeing the growth, and also in some ways how I have slipped.

I love how raw some of my older images are.

I hate how amateur some/most of my older images are.

It balances me to look back.

Gives me that old tingle, reminds me of why I pick up a camera in the first place.

My focus is shifting back to the editorial/photo journalist style of things and this just makes me more confident in that choice.

I want to start doing more stock photography, and also am going to try and get out there and just immerse myself in my city like I used to.

These are a few I pulled from the bunch.

You can see my full Flickr account HERE (please keep in mind some of these images go back almost ten or more years, the beginnings, so it does not represent my current work)

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

Seniors Class of 2017

September 7, 2016April 7, 2017Posted in children, city, college, families, family, fashion, grand rapids, modeling, models, parents, photographer, photographers, photography, photojournalist, portraits, senior, Uncategorized, west michiganTagged african, american, beautiful, black, child, children, city, class, cute, daughter, family, fashion, female, girl, gorgeous, grand, grand rapids, images, life, light, michigan, model, modeling, people, photographer, photography, portfolio, portraits, pretty, rapids, teenager, true, west, womanLeave a comment

So I have not been as busy as I would like, but I did have the chance to photograph a few awesome seniors.

They are the class of 2017 and they are poised to take over the world. Beautiful, bright, amazing young ladies!!

I am so honored that I had the chance to capture your senior photos for you!

Enjoy your senior year! Take it all in. In the blink of an eye time passes and it becomes a distant memory you wish you could hold onto just a bit longer.

CONGRATULATIONS Elora, MaKayla, and Jacqueline!

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!

Allison and Andrew

March 14, 2015Posted in business, city, couples, engaagement, fashion, grand rapids, love, magazine, michigan, photographer, photographyTagged adorable, beautiful, city, couples, dowtown, engagement, forever, grand rapids, happiness, love, michigan, photographer, photography, sweet, westLeave a comment

There is absolutely nothing better than seeing two people in love.
I love engagement sessions for that reason. I love the energy from the couples that I photograph at the beginning of their journey towards forever.
Allison and Andrew are a prime example of that. They exude love, happiness and just a bond that is evident when you meet them.

Cannot wait until the wedding you two!
Congratulations!

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!!

Grand Rapids Power Weekend

March 11, 2015March 11, 2015Posted in business, clothing, fashion, fashion show, models, photographer, photographyTagged african, american, beautiful, biracial, black, business, catwalk, city, class, clothing, cute, daughter, ethnic, fashion, gorgeous, grand rapids, michigan, models, photographer, photography, Power, show, WeekendLeave a comment

October 17 and 18, 2014 there was a fantastic event held.
The Grand Rapids Power weekend.
Kristian Grant and Michael Buxton put on this wonderful two night event.
The first night was a mixer for everyone to connect and enjoy the evening.
The second night was a fashion show that showcased fantastic fashion and some great local models.
Both of these nights were a blast. The energy was amazing and everything was flawless. Hopefully there will be more events like this in the future.

Lucas Family – Gender reveal

March 10, 2015March 10, 2015Posted in babies, children, families, family, infants, maternity, michigan, modeling, models, photographer, photography, portraitsTagged adorable, babies, baby, beautiful, child, children, daughter, expecting, family, father, female, gender, girl, gorgeous, mother, photography, portraits, revealLeave a comment

THIS WAS MY FIRST GENDER REVEAL SESSION, AND IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!
IT WAS BITTER COLD AND WE DID SOME ON THE FLY LOCATION SCOUTING BUT SOMETIMES THAT JUST MAKES THINGS EVEN MORE EXCITING.
I AM EXCITED FOR OYUKI AND ALAN AS THEY ARE EXPECTING THEIR SECOND CHILD!
AMAYA IS GOING TO BE SUCH A GOOD BIG SISTER!
CONGRATS TO THE LUCAS FAMILY!

Olivia

November 13, 2014November 13, 2014Posted in babies, children, families, infants, michigan, photographer, photographyTagged adorable, autumn, baby, beautiful, books, child, cute, daughter, fall, girl, grand, guitar, infant, life, love, michigan, mother, music, photographer, photography, pretty, rapids, westLeave a comment

What a sweetheart this 6 month old is.
I love babies and she definitely stole my heart.
I have known her mom since we were itty bitty so it was special for me to be able to capture a few photos for her.

Olivia already has an affinity for music (she loves listening to her daddy play the guitar) and books.

These photos were shot back in the beginning of October.