Spotlight on Michelle Ciarlo-Hayes

Michelle Ciarlo-Hayes is an award-winning fine art photographer and digital artist from Philadelphia who uses her unique perspective and a camera lens to transform everyday objects into something extraordinary on film.

Her collection of nursery art, "Alphabet Soup!" recently became available as a children's book, and one of her photographs appears on the cover of the 2009 "Paws for Charity" Art Book.

Michelle's fine art photography prints and art glass jewelry are available in her shop on Etsy.

How did you get started with photography?

My father taught me to use a fully manual dinosaur of a camera when I was in high school and that was it for me - I haven't been without a camera in my hand since then. I went so far as to smuggle this same camera into my luggage when I moved to Europe... I got a very cranky long-distance phone call from him a few hours after I arrived, but I could tell he was secretly happy that I loved taking photographs as much as he did.

What is it about everyday objects that initially caught your eye as a photographer?

I love the textures and details of things: the way the stone of a statue has worn away with the years, the pattern on a fern leaf, the way individual pieces of fruit seem to have personalities. I like capturing all those everyday things we usually rush right past.

What is your favorite photo from your own collection and why does it mean so much?

Oh, that is such a hard question! If I had to choose just one, it would be "Different is Beautiful" because I created this for my son who, we recently found out, is on the Autism spectrum.

I wanted to give him something to make him smile when he comes across challenges. Actually, I think most people can relate to feeling "different" at some point or another... goodness knows I sure have!

Which photographer has influenced you the most?

This sounds strange, but Annie Lebowitz. In case anyone is wondering how a portrait artist has influenced a still-life and land/cityscape photographer, I'll explain! Her work is unmistakably "hers." When I see a portrait of Annie's, I don't need to see her name underneath: her style and technique - even as it evolved over the decades - is still so strong and uniquely hers. I love that her photographs aren't just images on paper - she really breathes life into everything she does.

What was your inspiration for "Alphabet Soup!"?

My children! More specifically, my cranky, fighting, bored-out-of-their-minds children who were trapped indoors for weeks this past summer when we had all that rain. I sent them on an alphabet scavenger hunt to occupy them: when they started bringing me all the beautiful vintage toys, the whole series just popped into my mind.

Now I'm working on completing a set of letters for boys and for girls; I'd love to have one letter for each when I'm all through.

When you're not behind a camera, what do you do for fun?

Interview with Michelle Ciarlo-Hayes I adore knitting - it keeps my hands out of the fridge when I watch late-night episodes of "Project Runway" (that show is like Kryptonite for me! If I know it's on, I am powerless: I love it). Knitting and reading anything I can get my hands on - if I never had to move off the couch, I'd be a happy girl.