Hello and welcome! My name is Michelle Bianchi, the owner of Oleevia Photography. I was born and raised in Massachusetts, but made my home here in the hills of New Hampshire 14 years ago. I am the mother of three incredible children, two sons, and a daughter as well as a 2 yo grandson. They are one of the biggest parts of my joy and inspiration with being a photographer. Additionally, living in this beautiful mountainous state of New Hampshire, I really appreciate the canvased scenic landscapes, that change with each season. The opportunities for photos here are endless and honestly, if it weren't for my sister, I would have missed out on the best thing I've ever done.
In 2011, when my older sister Gail, (who absolutely loved photography) died from breast cancer, my world turned upside down (or now that I think about it, it actually turned right side up!) and my life was changed forever. My sister, a "Jill of all trades" (so to speak) was a chef, a massage therapist, and the "photographer" in the family. She carried her camera around everywhere she went and there was never a time she did not have her camera with her. Like. EVER!…
When it was time to gather photos to create a photo collage for my sister's celebration of life, suddenly it hit me! I was utterly inspired by her photos she'd taken over the years and I cannot even put into words the emotions that bubbled up inside of me as I sat on my bed going through them all. It was her inherent gift and passion that encapsulated these memories in her photographs. I was so heartbroken about losing my sister, my best friend, but I was also very blessed to have all these amazing stories she created through photo imagery. I knew at that very moment, with all my heart, God was gifting me this connection with my sister; and now I needed to pick up “her torch” and run with it.
AND...I have not looked back since!
I became hungrier to learn anything and everything about photography. Courses online with The New York Institute of Photography, Sue Bryce Education, editing courses with Phlearn, and many courses on studio lighting, natural lighting and anything that helps to hone my craft. I do believe the "most important" piece of being a photographer is, serving people. Listening to "their" story, working with them to enable them to open up and be themselves. It is not just about all the equipment and skills a photographer has (don’t get me wrong, some of those things are needed and help tremendously), it is much, much more! The true essence of making photos is about the person I am photographing.
I do love the many facets of photography but have to say photographing people of all walks of life would be my favorite. I love encompassing in some small way, the story of each person’s life. Whether it be a family portrait of generations, a precious mother’s protruding belly with the life she carries, or children just being free to be themselves. It is quite a privilege and "gift" to capture these precious moments for people. Giving memories through photographs that will last a lifetime: “priceless”.
“One doesn’t stop seeing. One doesn’t stop framing. It doesn’t turn off and turn on. It’s on all the time.”
— Annie Leibovitz
— Annie Leibovitz
“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.”
— Robert Frank
— Robert Frank
Gail H. Tainter-Popillo ~ 3/3/1955 to 11/7/2011
