My Photography Journey | Central Florida Photographer

Looking back, I can clearly see how God was gently shaping my path long before I realized what photography would become in my life.

In 2014, when I was 11 years old, my little sister was born (the eighth child in our family, now one of eleven!).  I remember laying her on a blanket and taking photos of her with an old iPhone just for fun. There was something about capturing those little moments that made me come alive creatively. I didn’t know it at the time, but that small beginning would grow into something far bigger than I ever imagined.

I became fascinated with photography almost overnight. I watched countless YouTube videos, read blog posts, and tried to learn everything I could. When my next sister was born in 2015, I felt more confident experimenting and trying new things. I didn’t have professional equipment yet, but I had curiosity and a desire to create.

A few months later, after saving every dollar I could, I bought my very first camera. It was a small, inexpensive point-and-shoot, but to me it felt like the greatest thing in the world. I photographed my siblings constantly, experimenting, making mistakes, and learning without even realizing how much those moments were shaping my future.

In early 2016, I took my next big step and purchased my first DSLR, a Canon T2i. That camera opened up an entirely new world for me. I began to understand light, composition, and storytelling in ways I never had before. Over the next several years, my siblings became my models, my practice sessions, and honestly, my greatest teachers.

In 2019, I upgraded to my first mirrorless camera, the Sony A7II, and the difference was incredible. That same year, on June 26, 2019, I officially launched Photography by Michelly. What started as curiosity had grown into something real.

The early days were slow and exciting all at once. I began booking clients little by little. My first three weddings were as a second shooter, which gave me invaluable experience and confidence before stepping into solo weddings of my own. Each season brought growth, new lessons, new challenges, and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to serve couples on one of the most important days of their lives.

Over time, I upgraded my gear again to a Sony A7III, a camera that was part of so many milestones in my journey. Recently, I retired it as my backup and now shoot primarily with the Sony A7IV — another reminder of how far this journey has come from that first little camera.

What I’ve learned most over these almost seven years is that photography isn’t just about beautiful images. It’s about serving people, preserving memories, and honoring the moments God has given us. Every wedding, every family, every story feels like a reminder that this work carries purpose beyond myself.

Even now, I’m still learning. With every wedding I photograph, there’s something new to grow into — creatively, professionally, and personally. Photography began as a creative outlet for an 11-year-old girl taking pictures of her baby sister. Today, it feels like a calling — one I’m deeply grateful for and excited to continue walking in, wherever God leads next.