In this episode of That Sounds Terrific in the 585, hosts Nick and Christine sit down with Michele Ashlee-Meade, a talented portrait photographer whose passion for people shines through in her work. Michele's journey from a self-taught hobbyist to a successful professional photographer is truly inspiring. She shares how she discovered her love for capturing raw, unfiltered moments that tell powerful stories.
Roots
Michele grew up in a small town in Western New York, a child of divorced parents. Her brother suffered from severe mental illness and addiction which made for a difficult home life. But her younger years were not without joy and love. Her father, in particular, was a talented artist who encouraged Michele’s creativity. His influence helped shape her artistic pursuits later in life, especially her photography.
At age seventeen her brother, still struggling with his addiction and illness, left home. He became unhoused, and the family soon lost touch with him. Later, her mother's dying wish was for Michele and her sister to find their estranged brother. She eventually located him on Facebook only to learn that he had passed two years prior.
Getting personal
The loss of her brother motivated her to focus on helping unhoused individuals and those suffering with addiction and mental illness. She began volunteering in shelters and under bridges and in other areas of Rochester, taking photos and documenting stories of these seemingly forgotten individuals. Her photography “hobby” became a vocation.
But her role as witness to those struggling soon hit home in a new and terrifying way. This time, it was her son who developed an addiction to pain medication leading to a traumatic hospital stay. He recovered and is now sober and thriving. But the wounds this event left in Michele’s heart were deep. Healing herself and supporting her recovering child became a journey of advocacy and love.
Community advocacy
Michele’s experiences with her brother and son fueled her commitment to raising awareness about addiction, mental illness, and homelessness through her photography. She eventually moved to Rochester to dedicate more time to her work.
Final thoughts
Michele’s work has gained significant attention and has appeared in several shows in the Rochester area including the University of Rochester’s Strong Memorial Hospital and the Yards collective.
Follow her on social media at Instagram: instagram.com/michele_ashlee_photography and Facebook: facebook.com/MicheleAshlee.
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