Every small business is a marketing business; every artist who's selling her work is a marketer.

Central Illinois artist Michelle Schneider from The Art of Michelle "gets" this.

Michelle does a terrific job of marketing her work. She paints custom watercolor portraits and is writing and illustrating children’s books, and her websites showcase the work with outstanding product photography. Michelle's paintings are beautiful and personal, so she knows it's important to make a personal connection with visitors to her websites. To take her marketing imagery a step further, then, she contacted me to make some picture of her at work in her studio.

We spent a few quiet hours on a recent afternoon at work, Michelle at her easels and me behind the camera. We also made portraits that she'll use for PR purposes.

Here's what Michelle said when I emailed her the link to her proof gallery:

The proofs look amazing! I love them. You really are a lighting genius. Feel free to quote me on that. ;)

I'm eager to start using these pictures! ... Thank you again! I'm very happy.

Michelle makes wonderful paintings—I hope you'll check out her work.

Here are a few more images from our session.

Michelle Schneider, custom portrait artist :: Michael Gowin Photography, Lincoln, IL