Michelle is a badass photographer and also just happens to have a degree in Sports Science. #coolfacts She's captured artists from Missy Higgins, Seth Sentry, Sam Sparro, Courtney Barnett and Stonefield. She is also part of the creative team for "Her Sound, Her Story", a documentary celebrating Women in Australian Music, across all genres, with her project partner, Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore. With more than a couple of achievements up her sleeve, Michelle is an inspiration. I caught up with her to get inside info and her take on how she maintains well-being on the road.
You've accomplished some incredible goals/projects and have spent years on your craft. Being a creative person is one of the hardest things, we literally have to have a certain amount of self-belief, yet sometimes deal with crippling self-doubt. Having a mental illness, struggling financially or having creative block can really impact our ability to have a creative output. Was there a time you really struggled and how did you get through that moment in your life?
“My parents instilled a lot of self-confidence and incredibly hard work ethic in me from a young age, and I’m pretty lucky in that I don’t really suffer from poor mental health thus far. The hardest time I’ve suffered was actually just before I picked up a camera, and photography actually saved me from going down a dark path of not knowing what to do with my life. I found my purpose and meaning through photography, so for me I’m grateful every day that I get to do what I absolutely love for a living. I practice gratitude and being thankful. However, I think the biggest issue that most artists struggle with this day is comparison. That can be incredibly toxic and detrimental to artists. People only show the best times and success stories and when you’re maybe a bit quiet, it can be really tricky seeing other people doing amazing things. I’ve learned to be really inspired by these moments for other people, genuinely celebrate their success!!”
You've worked with some amazing artists, and most of the time you see them behind the scenes, after the show, in their downtime. In your eyes and from your perspective, what is something that most musicians or performing artists struggle with in the realm of well-being? Have you had your own realisations about some common issue that arise from the industry you work in? The constant life of touring, substance abuse, touring lifestyle etc.
“One thing I see is people outside the industry struggling to even understand what we do, so when we get home it can be difficult to find people who understand the struggles. I guess touring can look fun, but its bloody hard work. Lack of sleep, finding decent food and time to exercise is a struggle. Tight turn around's for the work we produce etc, it’s always go, go, go. I constantly hear that artist and crew find it hard to talk to their loved ones. People back home can really lack a bit of empathy when it comes to the hard parts, because I guess they see our social media and it looks like a lot of fun (which it IS) but the hard parts are also just as real. Also just being away from loved ones can take its toll as well. Finding a balance is the key.”
What has been one of the hardest things you’ve had to deal with on tour or whilst travelling with a band/artist? A breakup, dealing with a death on the road, things going wrong on tour etc. How did you deal with those situations?
“I think I’ve had all the experiences above. It’s funny, I seem to be the person people turn to in these times. I’m mostly pretty resilient to stuff, I tend to try not to dwell on stuff or have things affect me, but I guess I like to help others through their rough times. I feel like a bit of a mother hen sometimes. I enjoy being the person people can rely on I guess.”
How do you maintain your well-being when you go out the road, and what keeps you grounded and sane?
“I do intermittent fasting, and have for over 3 years, and I absolutely SWEAR but it while touring. I find not having to worry too much about the crap food, because I’m physically eating less, keeps me way less stressed about this kind of stuff. People who don’t understand the benefits can think I’m crazy but I don’t mind. I have a degree in sports science so I’m actually pretty firmly across this stuff and the benefits, so I’m conformable with what I do and how good it makes me feel! It also helps with things like energy levels and immunity, so generally I feel I’m getting less sick and being able to keep up with pace, all as a bi product of the fasting. Kind of win win!
My favourite supplement that I try to take every day is called “Jing” it a mushroom powder that I put in my tea. It really helps with my mood as well. I love it! I also try to do my own version of yoga in the morning if I can (really, it’s just a bit of stretching) that I find really helps as sell!! And yes, I get as much sleep as I can. I don’t go partying and I don’t drink so it defiantly helps me staying fresh!! “
It’s hard at times working in a male dominated industry. How do you personally deal with a primarily male environment, or do you make a conscious decision to work with more woman?
“To be honest, I've never let that be an issue for me. I feel quite conformable around men and always have. I have experienced a few issues but they pale in comparison to many others. I was a bit blind to all of the issues until I made the documentary Her Sound Her Story, I felt through this process I started to see how gender does play a huge part in the industry for many women, even if for me personally I hadn’t felt it that much. It’s hard to explain how I deal with it, I just do?? I don’t really think about it too much, but I also support any other women who are experiencing issues where I can. I do now try to surround myself with as many women as I can, as I genuinely love being around women but that took a long time for me. I’m 40 and it’s only been in the past few years, through the process of making the documentary, where I felt comfortable doing that. There was a lot of historical unpacking to go through that, and now I’m in a really great place with amazing women around me. I’ve been incredibly supported by amazing men in my career, who trusted and believed in me very early on. I guess this gave me a lot of confidence as well. Mostly I’m genuinely passionate about being a mentor for younger female photographers coming though, to give them the advice I never had. That’s here I think there most impact can come from.”
You can follow Michelle on her website. Click here: http://michellegracehunder.com/home
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