We were lucky to catch up with Michael Antonio Hunter recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michael Antonio, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

The very first dollar I earned was with recording artist, Lil’ Mo. It was for her album, “P.S. I Love Me.” I had been contacted by her directly to shoot the album art and cover for the project. Which I remember was so exciting to me. This was not our first time working together – nor was it my first time working with a celebrity. I had already worked with Lil’ Mo a couple of times prior to this moment. We worked with each other for a promotional photoshoot for designer Stevie Boi very early on in his design career – so the budget was tight and it was all-hands-on-deck to keep the ship sailing. We were young, ambitious and determined.

Lil’ Mo and I actually worked together a couple of times before shooting for her album. However, this was the first time an artist reached out to me for a paying job. Prior to that, I was working for free in an attempt to gain more clients, more knowledge and to further recognition of my name in the industry. I was working with no representation, no agent, no manager. So in a way, those free photoshoots were an investment into bigger things. A risk, but worth it.

At this point in my career I had already worked with many celebrities and models. My work was featured in magazines around the world; from small, indie fashion magazines to Vogue Nippon. And yet, this was my first paying job. Which was gratifying in hindsight, but also in hindsight, a bittersweet moment. Because I probably should’ve been getting paid for things at that point.

I remember it being such a grand feeling. I felt I had arrived. And in a way, I did. I was fresh into my twenties and had already got a big paying gig and for an album cover nonetheless.

Michael Antonio, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started in the industry before I knew what the industry was. I was just a kid who was creative. I’ve been singing, acting, dancing, performing, drawing, painting…all of these things, since I was a child. It was always in me. But I started photography by accident. I was and am into graphic design and tech and I love that world. I was doing websites for Eva Marcille and others at the time and that turned into photo editing due to the graphic element. I’ve always done things on my own in many ways. Running the website for Eva actually turned into her being my first celebrity client ever.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I believe how I started is a testament to my resilience. There are so many stories, really. In the early years of my career I was very much the “starving artist.” And it was that way even while I was traveling the world doing photography. I remember when I first worked with Lil’ Kim. I was living in Maryland and the shoot was on-location in Brooklyn, NY. I actually did the shoot for free. I did nearly everything free at that time in my career – I had no manager, agent or anything. I had – at this time – photographed album covers for Lil’ Mo, photographed Trina, Kandi Burruss, Eva Marcille, Amber Rose and even a feature in Vogue Nippon with Stevie Boi. And yet, I was broke. The day I photographed Kim for the first time, I got up at 3am and I remember lugging my large equipment case in the snow on the public bus to the MegaBus to get to New York in time to get this photoshoot ready. I was not going to miss this opportunity. The shoot was luxurious and yet I was sitting there with just a few dollars to my name; unbeknownst to everyone around me. I remember declining an invite out because I didn’t have the money to go out – especially with Grammy-winning, recording icons. It was humbling. And it was really my own doing; today, I think everyone knows working with me comes with a price tag. And every artist should come with a price tag. It’s funny to think about in retrospect because I have no idea how I was making it look so glamourous.

Of course, in later years I learned to negotiate properly and have since been compensated every time I pick up my camera, respectfully.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea that art has no value. When I was a young, budding creative, I was heavily manipulated by nearly everyone. Everyone wants to work with you, but very few want to pay you. I remember seeing other young creatives with lucrative jobs and great placements and I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t landing some of those jobs. I learned, it’s because I didn’t know how to manage myself. I could easily manage someone else, and figure out what the next best move for them and their brand would be. However, when it came to myself, I just couldn’t figure out a formula. I had to unlearn the idea that I wasn’t a brand myself. Because I exist as me everyday, I didn’t realize I had to look at myself with the same eyes I looked at when I helped creatively direct the people and brands I did.

Once I separated myself from Michael Antonio the photographer. the actor, the writer, the brand – it was a lot easier for me to gain traction and confidence in my art and myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michaelantonio.net
• Instagram: @MichaelAntonio_now
• Facebook: facebook.com/michael.antonioo
• Twitter: @MikeAntonio

Image Credits
All photography by Michael Antonio Hunter. Featuring Lil’ Kim, Richie Rich, RuPaul’s Drag Race winner, Raja.