Meet Our Cover Photographer

Tell us the story behind baystateparent’s July cover shot. Cover models, Ella and Siena, vacation every year with their family on the Cape. I have photographed them for four years now and have enjoyed watching them grow up. Last year, we wanted to add a personal touch to the session and include something that they all love to do. So, at 10 in the morning we headed to their favorite ice cream spot!

Every artist has a dream. What’s yours? To be known as “the” newborn, baby, children’s photographer in New England and to land on the cover of a national magazine

Tell us about photographing children and pets. Sometimes there’s a fuzzy line of difference! Pets don’t have the facial expressions that we do, so it’s a challenge to bring out their unique personality but when I do...it’s magic! I started photographing people’s “fur babies” as I got requests from clients to include their dogs in photo sessions. One client in particular had a dog that was dying of cancer so that was precious. It was then that I realized that most people don’t realize that their time with their dogs is rather short, and they really need to have portraits of their pets before it’s too late to do so.

Tell us about memories of photographing your own children. I am married and have three boys, ages 18, 12 and 6. My oldest son just graduated high school and my youngest is entering 2nd grade next year, so it’s an interesting span. Much like the cobbler’s son, I have very few portraits of my own children! I don’t own a small point-and-shoot camera and often times I leave my equipment in the studio as it is too cumbersome to bring along for regular family activities. Unfortunately, I miss a lot of snapshot moments.

Is there a photo you wish that you had from your childhood? I was the third child so you know how that goes...much fewer pictures of me than of my older siblings! I wish I had more photos of my mom who passed away when I was 23. Moms are always the ones behind the camera and therefore there are very few pictures of them. I try to impart this to my clients to let them know that this is about their legacy to their children. They need to get in front of the camera as much as possible so that their children will have that always. Ten or twenty years from now, children aren’t going to think ‘Gee, sure wish Mom had lost 10 pounds before she had her picture taken,’ or ‘Wow! Mom sure is wrinkly and old looking!’ Children love their parents no matter what, and all they want are visual memories of their parents and them together.

Tell us about your new studio. The Carriage House has a long history in New Bedford and is one of those buildings that you cannot help but notice. The first time I passed by five years ago, I wanted it. Through the years, I would dream of someday being in it. It was a dream that I really never thought would actually come true. When the space eventually opened up, I walked in and saw my branding colors already on the walls (orange and grey)! This space seems like it was designed specifically for Michelle Carr Photography! I am able to conduct sessions inside and out as there is a gorgeous garden to the side and back of the carriage house.

What you would like moms to know: That they don’t have to take a trip to my studio. I am actually 90% on location! I travel all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island including the Cape and Islands. I suggest a place that is meaningful and special to my clients, whether that is their home, an area beach, a vacation spot or an ice cream shop. Most people are surprised to learn that all of my newborn sessions are held in the client’s home. I prefer to travel to the new mom and baby and bring all my equipment and props with me so that the family is the most relaxed and comfortable.