We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michae Allen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michae below.

Michae, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I’ve actually always been a photographer, just didn’t know it was a career path. In every club or organization I was in, I always picked up the camera. When I decided to take photography seriously, I was in my late 30’s so I felt a little behind the 8 ball. To ‘speed’ up the process, I took on a personal project that I called Project 365. The goal was to create an image every day. Life did what it did and it actually took me about 2 years to finish but there was a drastic difference in my work from when I started. You can actually see the whole project here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.796025580444921&type=3

Michae, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

When I started in 2012, I worked in two specific spaces. I worked with actors doing actor headshots and I work with fashion models. Two different approaches with different needs so maybe I’m photographically bilingual. Both of these spaces taught me how to work well on location using the ambient light and incorporating my own.

As I evolved, I moved into working with curve models. I like the space personally and I also see the benefit to those models of having a photographer who’s studied their needs (lighting, posing, etc) and wants to work with them. I’ve met too many models who’ve struggled to find a creative that knows what they are doing and enjoys working with them. So I’m delighted to be that guy!

While I enjoy making pretty pictures (I mean, that’s the job), I am really passionate about creating art. When I say that, I like to push the boundaries of whats possible and produce work that could actually be on a wall. Some of my favorite things to do are body paint, levitation, and I am in the process of learning to work with body tape. I love doing these things with curve models because its not commonly seen.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Taking pictures is one thing, creating an experience is another. I work hard to make sure that a photo session with me is fun and enjoyable. While people see the images and like them, I love the fact that people who work with me have a good time. You put your work out there and you forget that people see it. I’m always thrown off when people I’ve never met tell me they’ve been looking forward to working with me. That lets me know that I am touching people with my art.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice).

I’m definitely that guy at the party that will talk way too much if you start talking about NFT and blockchain technology. I love the possibilities of NFT’s. Right now, people just see them as a way to make money but they are much bigger than that. While I want to get into the digital art space, I’ve been thinking a lot about other applications for photographers and beyond that, I’ve been thinking about my place for my art in the metaverse.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.asharpphoto.biz
• Instagram: instagram.com/asharpphoto
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/asharpphoto13
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/a-sharp-photo/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/asharpphoto
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmEazhVyDz9HSxoBCike2uw

Image Credits
Photographer – A Sharp Photo/Michae E. Allen