She IS Aphrodite We chat to Melbourne based photographer, Michelle Pitiris about Finding her style & persuing music photography full time. Tell us a little about yourself and what path lead you to become a photographer and stylist. Well, my name is Michelle but people call me Mish. I’m originally from North Qld but have been living in melbourne for the last seven years. I became interested in photography after doing film photography in grade 12 as a subject. I didn’t pick up a camera properly again until about 2011 and then in 2012 I decided to make a proper go at it. The styling element came in by accident and isn’t my primary focus but I do enjoy it. How would you describe your photographic style? I was talking to a friend about that today. I know that I have a style, I just can’t actually put a name on what it is. I just know, from what I have been told, is that my style is identifiable. If you have any idea what it is, please let me know! Where do you find creative inspiration? Usually from films (I am a massive cinephile), definitely from music and sometimes from magazines. I feel like I have synesthesia but for visuals. You have quickly become one of Australia’s most sought after music photographers. How has that changed your life since you started out in 2012? I definitely don’t feel like it’s been quick. It’s still taken me seven years to build up my network and to find what my style is. My life has changed the most in the last 18 months since I finally quit my retail life and went after photography full time. It makes such a difference to your mental health when you don’t loathe your life because you hate your job! So, even though I still get stressed from time to time, I’m still ridiculously grateful and happy with where I am now. What has been your most exciting career achievement to date? There’s been a couple things, but it would be a toss up between going on
tour with The 1975 and having my photo series Cherchez La Femme featured in one of the last Rolling Stone Australia editions. Can you tell us a little about your project ‘Cherchez La Femme’ and the inspiration behind it? It’s a photographic series I created to highlight some of the amazing women in the Australian music industry. It came up around the start of the metoo era. I wanted to put women in the spotlight in a positive and empowering way. If you could work with any musician, dead or alive, who would it be? And why? Ooh good question. Shit. So, so many. At the moment female wise, probably Billie Eilish, Robyn, Phoebe Birdgers or Fiona Apple. Male wise, Childish Gambino, Jeff Buckley, or Daniel Johns. They’re all artists I have the highest respect and adoration for the way they create and their output. What do you like to do when you’re not taking photos? Watch/listen to true crime. I’m ridiculously obsessed with the podcast My Favourite Murder at the moment, as well as watching Forensic Files on Netflix. Are there any budding artists, photographers or designers that you are loving right now? When I style I am always looking at what designers are coming out of graduation to see what fresh ideas are being represented. Bel Sorrentino (@belsorrentinodesigns), Alissar H (alissarh_) and Lilith Viper (@lilithviper) for designers. Daphne Nguyen (@daphnenguyen_), Duc (@ducthindong) and Natasha Killeen (@ahsatankilleen) are cool photographers. As for musicians, well we could be here all day. A couple I will say- Charlotte OC, Flower Drums and Annie Bass. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? It doesn’t matter how talented you are - if you’re a cunt no one is going to work with you. Do you have any tips for other aspiring photographers starting out? Find your own style, everything else is taken. Check out more of Michelle’s work at sheisaphrodite.com and @sheisaphrodite
