Michelle Newport: Storytelling Florals

by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 30st of June 2025

For Michelle Newport, photography is her happy place, a deeply personal and joyful way of creating and sharing beauty. Her love of flowers instantly lifts her spirits. She captures their personality, elegance, drama and beauty, considering them to be expressive beings. Discover more about Michelle and experience moments of respite from the noise of life through her floral photography.

'Joyful'

Dear Michelle, first, I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer this questionnaire. To begin with, could you please introduce yourself briefly and tell us more about yourself, your hobbies and any other projects you are involved in?

Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity — it’s a real honour. I'm a nature and floral photographer with a passion for creativity. I have also enjoyed drawing and crafting over the years, but photography has become my truest creative outlet. I now travel full-time with my family, but in the past I loved tending to a garden filled with exotic flowers, many of which became favourite subjects in my photography. When I’m not behind the lens, I enjoy editing, experimenting with textures and colour theory, and inspiring others through beauty and art.

How and when did you start your journey in photography?
I’ve been a photographer for around 10 years. It all started when I met my husband, who was passionate about photography. Initially, I was intimidated by his DSLR camera and lighting equipment. However, he encouraged me and eventually taught me to shoot in manual mode. I've shot that way ever since. He taught me just enough of the technical side to get started, and for me, it's been all about expressing creativity and emotion through imagery ever since.

For many of us, photography is a hobby or a way of life. How would you describe your relationship with photography?
For me, photography is my happy place. It’s where I feel most inspired and free. It’s not just a hobby; it’s a deeply personal and joyful way of creating and sharing beauty.

Which experience has had the greatest influence on your journey in photography so far?
Learning about different genres early on had a profound impact. I explored portraiture, landscape photography and architectural photography, taking online courses and absorbing everything I could through YouTube and practice. Each genre taught me unique skills that I still apply today when photographing florals, such as storytelling, composition and the use of light.

You have your own style of creating exquisite photographs of flowers. What is it about this specific kind of image that draws you in?
I’ve always loved flowers. They instantly lift the spirit. The diversity of their shapes, colours and textures is endless. I especially enjoy capturing their personalities — yes, I believe flowers have them! Whether it's the way they reach for the light or bow gracefully, I love capturing their elegance, drama and beauty. Flowers are a natural expression of emotion and light, and I’m drawn to that.

Which is more important to you: the mood and story behind your images, or technical perfection?
Definitely the mood and story. While I appreciate technical quality, I focus more on the feeling an image evokes. I want people to sense the softness, the glow or the mystery of a moment. I think that striving for perfection in technique can sometimes rob an image of its soul.

Beyond being an observer, what is your relationship with your subject matter?
I see flowers as expressive beings — each one has its own story, character and purpose. My relationship with them is like a visual conversation. It's not just observation; I try to connect with their essence and invite the viewer into that quiet, sacred space where beauty speaks.

Describe your overall photographic vision.
My vision is to create images that convey beauty, peace and presence. I want each photo to provide a moment of respite from the noise of life. Light, colour and emotion are central to my work. I often try to evoke a sense of wonder or nostalgia.

Could you tell us more about your creative process, from initial idea to final product?
I start by either photographing a flower in natural light outdoors or creating a styled flatlay in my studio. Once I have the image, I import it into Photoshop. There, I add textures and adjust the depth and tone to bring my vision to life. My aim is to breathe life into the image and elevate it from a flat photo to an emotional visual experience. I also use Luminar Neo for colour grading to help me refine the mood even further.

Where do you look for inspiration, and what inspires you the most?
I find inspiration in the natural world, especially in light and colour. I’m also inspired by the emotional language of flowers. Studying colour theory was a significant turning point for me. It gave me a deeper understanding of how to use backgrounds to complement or contrast with the floral subject, evoking stronger emotions.

Many people believe that gear is not very important when you are passionate about photography.
However, could you please tell us what equipment you use?
While I agree that gear doesn't define the art, I do have my favourites. I shoot with a Nikon D850. The lenses I use most often are the Zeiss Milvus 100 mm, the Tamron 24–70 mm and, more recently, the Sigma 24–70 mm. I rely on my Really Right Stuff tripod for nearly all my shots to keep things stable and sharp.

Which photo is your favourite? Please tell us the story behind your choice.
One of my favourite photos is 'Renewal'. It was one of the first photos where I experimented with textures and creative colour editing. I remember how excited I was, as if I had discovered a whole new world of expression. This marked a turning point for me, as I realised how much more I could express through photography.

'Renewal'

Which photographers or mentors have influenced you and your photography, and who are your favourites?
There are many photographers whose work I admire, especially those who fearlessly experiment with light, texture and emotion. However, more than any individual, I have been shaped by a variety of visual artists and the beauty found in nature. I have also been deeply inspired by the photographers in the 1x.com community — the level of artistry here is incredibly motivating.

Now that we're almost at the end of this interview, could you please tell us about any photographic projects you'd like to be involved in?
I am currently working on expanding my floral portfolio to include more dramatic lighting compositions and storytelling elements. In the future, I hope to produce printed collections or a small book, sharing encouragement and beauty through images and words. I'm also starting to teach others in small groups, which I love.

Is there anything else you would like to add, and what are your thoughts on using 1x as a home base for your work?
I’m honoured to have my work displayed on 1x.com. The high standards of curation here inspire me to grow, and I truly value being part of a platform filled with such talented and inspiring artists. Thank you for providing a platform that celebrates both beauty and vision.