Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Michelle.
Angela, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a photographer, body acceptance activist, yoga instructor and advocate raising awareness for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. I started my photography company in San Antonio Texas in 2008 and I discovered along the way the power of a portrait to help people accept their and love their body. Since then my photography has been featured in publications across the world, exhibited in art shows and won awards but the greatest accomplishment is the transformation I see in my clients. A session with me is more than just photos it’s the chance to redefine our relationship with our body. I see the portrait session as a ritual of transformation that allows clients to rediscover and fall in love with themselves. They leave empowered and with a newfound respect and appreciation for the body they have. My current passion project is the Chronically Beautiful Project. Chronically Beautiful is a project I started in 2018 as I battled my own illnesses. It is my hope that this project sheds light on the diseases that change our lives and that it will help change misconceptions about being chronically ill and/or living with disabilities. Additionally, I hope to inspire those facing health challenges to live their best life.
In 2016 I suffered a stroke leaving me permanently blind in my right eye. After my stroke, yoga helped me make peace with my body again and accept the condition of my health. This inspired me to become a yoga instructor and to start Body Luv Yoga with the goal of helping others. My unique personal journey with my own body and illnesses combined with my perspective as a boudoir photographer pushed me even more in the fight for body acceptance. I use yoga as another vehicle to help people find acceptance and appreciation for the body they have. I am trained in adaptive and therapeutic techniques and I know that one pose does not fit all. I strive to make yoga inclusive to all so that everyone can see the benefits of this beautiful practice.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My largest obstacle has been my own my health and yet ironically, it has also been the thing that has given my work an even greater purpose.
I suffered a stroke in 2016, which left me permanently completely blind in one eye. It was discovered at this time that I have a clotting disorder called Antiphospholipid Syndrome. This clotting disorder resulted in me developing a rare form of Pulmonary Hypertension called CTEPH. Without surgery, I was given two years to live. Thankfully I was a candidate for a life-saving surgery which I had in August 2018.
My health continues to give me trouble and unfortunately, there is no cure for Antiphospholipid Syndrome, so I will always be at risk of developing a multitude of complications. The one thing I can say though is that this journey has given me a profound perspective on my life and my work and inspired the legacy I hope to leave behind.
Please tell us about Raven Red Photography and Body Luv Yoga.
I have two businesses, Raven Red Photography and Body Luv Yoga.
With Raven Red Photography, I specialize in boudoir and fashion inspired portraiture. A session with me is more than just photos it’s the chance to redefine our relationship with our body. I see the portrait session as a ritual of transformation that allows clients to rediscover and fall in love with themselves. They leave empowered and with a newfound respect and appreciation for the body they have.
As a yoga instructor, I specialize in making yoga adaptive and inclusive for all. As a plus size yogi myself, I know that each pose is unique to each person and I strive to empower students to find that love and appreciation for their body through their yoga practice.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over I would have began my career as a boutique photographer and specialized sooner. In the beginning I tried to do everything and I also was what I now consider a budget photographer. The thing is I wasn’t able to give the level of service and attention I wanted to charge those lower prices. Transitioning to a boutique business model was the best thing I did because I can finally give my clients the experience that I want and I form real relationships with clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: ravneredphoto.com and bodyluvyoga.com
- Phone: 210-526-1941
- Email: info@ravenredphoto.com and bodyluvyoga@gmail.com
- Instagram: Photography- instagram.com/ravenredphoto and instagram.com/chronically_beautiful_project, Yoga- instagram.com/bodyluvyoga , personal instagram.com/angela.ravenred
Image Credit:
All Photos by Raven Red Photography
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