Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Jedlo.
Hi Michelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Before Rouge Edge Images, I was a police officer.
I spent years protecting others, working long hours, and carrying the emotional weight that comes with that responsibility.
Over time, I realized I was pouring into everyone else and neglecting the creative part of myself that had always been there.
Photography started as therapy. It became my way of processing, creating beauty out of chaos, and telling stories that felt deeper than words.
Leaving law enforcement wasn’t easy — but choosing creativity was necessary.
Rouge Edge Images represents reinvention. It represents strength without hardness. It represents women stepping into their power and reclaiming their narrative.
As someone who has experienced burnout and transformation firsthand, I approach every session with intention.
I don’t just photograph women — I help them see the version of themselves that’s been there all along.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The hardest obstacle was identity.
When you spend years in law enforcement, your sense of self becomes tied to service, control, and endurance.
Admitting I was burnt out felt like failure at first. Walking away felt terrifying.
There was financial fear. There was uncertainty. There were moments I questioned whether I was making a mistake.
But the deeper challenge was learning to trust myself creatively.
Building Rouge Edge Images required me to face impostor syndrome, comparison, and the pressure to succeed quickly. It forced me to sit with discomfort and grow through it.
Now, those challenges are part of my strength. They allow me to photograph women not just as they appear — but as they are becoming.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Rouge Edge Images specializes in cinematic editorial portraiture centered on feminine strength and refinement.
I focus on intentional composition, dramatic lighting, and storytelling that feels both modern and timeless.
I am known for strong creative direction. Clients often come to me wanting high-fashion, magazine-level imagery without modeling experience — and I guide them confidently through that process.
My sessions are structured, strategic, and efficient, while still leaving space for artistic nuance.
What differentiates my work is the intersection of discipline and artistry. My previous career instilled operational precision and composure; my creative work channels that into visually striking results.
I approach each shoot with both an artistic eye and a business mindset.
What I’m most proud of is building a brand that stands for reinvention and empowerment.
Rouge Edge Images reflects my belief that strength and softness can coexist — and that photography can be both transformative and commercially viable.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Building Rouge Edge Images has not been a solo effort. While entrepreneurship often feels independent, it is shaped by community.
I’ve been fortunate to have mentors in both structured professional environments and the creative industry who taught me discipline, accountability, and the importance of operating with integrity.
My background in law enforcement instilled leadership principles that continue to influence how I run my business today.
I’m also deeply grateful for the women who trusted me early on — the first clients who believed in my vision before the brand was fully formed. Their willingness to step in front of my lens and allow me to direct and create gave Rouge Edge Images its foundation.
Beyond that, my support system — friends, peers, and fellow creatives — have been instrumental. They’ve offered feedback, collaboration opportunities, and honest perspective.
Entrepreneurship requires resilience, and having people who believe in your long-term vision makes a significant difference.
Success is rarely individual. It’s built through trust, collaboration, and the courage of others who say yes along the way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: RougeEdgeMichelle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1PzE4cCvCP/
Image Credits
Image of myself:
Credits: Cleyver Abraham
https://www.instagram.com/cleyverrr?igsh=MW8zanl6ZDlpenRiaQ==
Model 1: Aliza
@alizahonly
Model 2: Ashley Selby
@treeofphotography
Model 3: Luna Snow
@theluna.snow
Model 4: Yan
@yan_215215
Model 5: Manel Lahouel
@signature_by_manel
Model 6: Aleeda Keys
@Aleeda_life
All photographs of models taken by me, Michelle Jedlo. I own the rights to these photographs.
