About Michelle

Michelle has been telling powerful stories for more than 30 years through her award-winning still photographs and her videos that possess the heart and soul of documentaries. No matter what the medium is, Michelle’s work connects with viewers in powerful, lasting ways. As a producer, director and photographer, she has spent the past decade photographing children’s philanthropic programs around the world. The corporate-sponsored work has partnered with organizations such as UNICEF, Habitat for Humanity, Operation Smile, Easter Seals, and other grass roots programs.

Among Michelle’s other credits are pieces for The Henry Ford Museum’s OnInnovation education program, which involved photographing and producing a series that documented the work of American innovators, including Bill Gates and Lyn St. James, one of the first women race car drivers. She has also done work with The Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Gleaners Food Bank. Her most personal work, telling the stories of Armenian Genocide survivors as well as the 1988 earthquake, has resulted in several trips to Armenia.

With a resume full of intensely creative projects that include books, videos and exhibitions, Michelle’s work is marked by originality and a deep understanding of the human condition. Her strength in uncovering what’s best and distinctive in people makes her a much sought-after resource.

As a fine arts professional and educator, Michelle’s editorial work has appeared in newspapers and magazines worldwide. The excellence of her advertising and commercial work has brought her assignments from leading agencies and corporations. She was a photo editor at The Washington Post Magazine and a senior editor at Detroit Monthly. She started her career 25 years ago as a staff photographer at the Detroit News, where she was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

Michelle studied at The College for the Creative Studies in Detroit as well as the International Center for Photography. Her photographs are in the permanent collection of The Detroit Institute of Arts and The Henry Ford Museum as well as public and private collections worldwide.

Michelle Andonian Photography, Inc., Detroit, Michigan
President, 1990 – Present
Editorial, advertising and documentary photography, specialties include international travel, people and portraits.

Center for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan
Photography Professor, 1994 – 2008
Taught advanced and senior thesis classes in photographic technique, editorial style and journalism ethics.

Detroit Monthly Magazine, Detroit, Michigan
Senior Editor/Photography, 1986-1989
Lead photographer for award-winning, 100,000-circulation city magazine. Developed, photographed and assigned stories for covers, photo essays, features, portraits and fashion. Responsibilities include: editing, design and layout.

The Washington Post Sunday Magazine, Washington, D.C.
Photo Editor, 1989
Selected top national photographers for high-profile assignments. Defined and edited all assignments.

The Detroit News, Detroit, Michigan
Staff Photographer, 1983-1986
Spot news, features, fashion and magazine photography. Specialized in stories about Detroit’s ethnic groups, among them an award-winning project on the city’s Arab-American community. Extensive travel, including a month long assignment to Israel. Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

The Friends of Photography, Carmel California
Teaching Assistant, 1985-1988
Taught at documentary workshop. Worked with such photographers as Lee Friedlander, Arnold Newman, Mary Ellen Mark, Eugene Richards, Annie Leibovitz, Sylvia Plachy, Gilles Peress, Bruce Davidson and William Klein.

Independent Projects

Reinvention
Two-and-a-half year documentation of changes inside the historic Ford Rouge Plant. Exhibition sponsored by The Ford Motor Company Fund. Additional funding provided by the MotorCities National Heritage Area Grant.

End of the Line
Three-year effort documents the closing of Cadillac’s landmark Fleetwood assembly plant, ending an era in the automotive history. Finalist for the W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography.

Armenia
Traveled extensively throughout Armenia documenting the 1988 earthquake. First two trips chronicled the efforts of a team of American doctors and volunteers to treat young victims. Third trip assessed the disaster’s long-term effects. Fourth trip for a film project.

Exhibitions

Detroit Revealed: Detroit Institute of Arts, 2011-2012
In The Company of Artists: The Detroit Institute of Arts, 2009
Reinvention: Center Galleries, 2004
Sacred Encounters: Archdiocese of Detroit, 2000
Landmarks: Center Gallery, 1996
Armenian Photographs: City Gallery, 1991
Save Tiger Stadium: Michigan Gallery, 1990
Urbanology: Detroit Focus Gallery, 1989
Up with Downriver: Michigan Gallery, 1989
Detroit/Berlin: Detroit Artist Market, 1988
City Limits: Urban Center for Photography, 1986
Members Show: Urban Center for Photography, 1986
CCS Alumni Show: Detroit Historical Museum, 1986

Books and Publications

Detroit Revealed: The Detroit Institute of Arts, 2011
Telling Americas Story: Donning Company Publishers, 2010
Star Trek: Abrams, 2010
Charles McGee: The Kresge Foundation, 2010
The Henry Ford: The Henry Ford, 2009
One By One: Amway Corporation, 2009
Detroit Stories: Museum of Contemporary Art, Detroit, 2008
Detroit Across Three Centuries: Sleeping Bear Press, 2001
Detroit Images: Wayne State Press, 1989

Education

International Center for Photography, Italy, 2000-2001
College for Creative Studies, Detroit, 1977-1981
Henry Ford Community College, Dearborn, 1976-1977

Grants

The Ford Motor Company Fund, 2004
Motor City World Heritage Area, 2003