M. Westholm (1975) was born in Des Moines, IA. The eldest daughter of a traveling preacher, she grew up in numerous towns and cities of the American Midwest.

Michelle earned degrees from the University of Northern Iowa, Vanderbilt and Harvard before moving to Mexico in 2003.

She currently lives and works in Mexico City, where she spends her time between photography, teaching, and designing. She often works in conjunction with her partner, furniture designer Vik Servin.