Meet Michelle Hart | Family & Boudoir Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Hart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As the product of parents who were entrepreneurs at various points in their lives, being my own boss was something I always considered. I didn’t always want to be a photographer. When I was 5, I wanted to be a veterinarian. As I grew, I wanted to be an author, then a massage therapist, and then an interior designer. It honestly wasn’t until I got my first job as a green screen and event photographer, that I considered it as a possible career avenue. I had always loved chasing my friends around with throw away cameras and recorders since childhood, but at that point in my life, there was something extra special about being able to help others see themselves in a positive, beautiful “lens” through my photography. They say do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. While I don’t agree that it doesn’t still feel like work, I do absolutely love this work, and I’m so thankful to past Michelle for going for it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Photographers in my area (Charleston, SC) are easily on every corner, and range from newbies to masters. There is so much talent, and I’m truly in awe that I live in a town where so many appreciate the world through a camera just like I do. With that said, I believe deeply about the idea that photography is a beautiful expression of not only your story, but as self care as well. I think to allow yourself to be commemorated is a love note to yourself. We live in a world (especially through social media) where comparison is viciously stealing people’s joy and ability to experience self worth. Let me tell you something, no matter where you are in your life, YOU deserve to be celebrated for who you are and everything you’ve overcome. Despite what your inner narrative is, you and your story are uniquely precious, and you deserve to be commemorated.

There have been tons of trials and errors in my photographer journey. I might have let my downs weigh over me for a minute (or in full transparency, a LOT of minutes), but ultimately, I know these things are temporary and only remedied by continuing on and searching out new ways to improve. Being tougher than your obstacles is key, but so is making sure you create downtime to rest and be inspired. Attempting to create balance has been my biggest lesson.

I’ve been blessed with many wins in this career. In 2017, I became full time which was terrifying and thrilling. I was chosen to work with SC Heart Gallery whom connect potential adoptive parents with foster children in need of forever homes. I’ve been published in several photography magazines. Most recently, I was voted 2023 Charleston’s Choice Photographer Finalist, and then this year, winner of 2024 Best of South Carolina’s Family Photographer!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If it were my best friend, we would be out on our skiff enjoying our favorite fishing spots or sandbars while showing them around Charleston’s water ways. There’s not much that can beat a good hot dog from our boat grill.

Outside of that though, the itinerary would be something I would normally customize depending on the personality of whomever is asking and the time of year. I’ll break some of my favorites down by category:
*Breakfast/Brunch – Vicious Biscuit, Miller’s All Day, Pages Okra Grill, Toast, Holey City Bagels, Lost Dog Cafe
*Lunch – Bodega, Red’s, The Co-Op, Taco Boy, Rebel Taqueria, Rita’s, Leon’s
*Dinner – Frannie & The Fox, Lewis BBQ, Bowen’s Island, 82 Queen, Magnolias
*Dessert – Kaminsky’s, Carmella’s
*Drinks – The Ritual, Rooftop at The Watch, Henry’s, Red’s, Saltwater Cowboys, Islander 71, Cabana Bar, The Whale
*Activities – riding pedicabs, Crabbing with Tia, Redfish Mafia for a fishing charter, taking a harbor tour or walking tour of the historic district, Riverdogs baseball game, the city market, weekly farmer and craft markets, Cypress Gardens
*Sightseeing – Folly beach (specifically the East end to see Morris Island Lighthouse), Magnolia Cemetery, the Angel Oak, Rainbow Row, White Point Garden, Waterfront Park (Downtown and in Mt. Pleasant), walk the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, Fort Sumter Tour, Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation
*For the Dogs – beaches (check in for specific restrictions), Red’s, Taco Boy, Poogan’s Porch, Edmunds Oast, Hampton Park, Colonial Lake

Around the holidays – Holiday Festival of Lights, Holiday Farmer and Craft markets

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are several people who were pivotal to my journey. My parents, first and foremost, instilled so much confidence in my abilities and creativity. They never complained about the endless number of photos they printed from my film rolls and digitals, and they always encouraged me to push what I thought my limits were. My husband, Dustin, who is my biggest cheerleader. I wouldn’t be here without him giving me the guts to take the leap to go full time and his direct help in the business as my “hubsistant”. Finally, I’d like to acknowledge two ladies who both helped me grow specifically as a photography business. My manager during my time as a green screen photographer, Mimi Agostinelli, who taught me so many fundamental camera and lighting skills and how to provide customer service while remaining tough. Then another local family photographer, Erin Raduazo (Erin Rose Photography), who took me under her wing teaching me business skills and the reassurance to price my services accordingly.

Website: https://www.palmettosnapshots.com

Instagram: @palmetto_snapshots

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/palmettosnapshots

Other: tiktok: @ps.michelleh

Image Credits
All photos were taken by me.