Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Castellano. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Michael thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

I feel like, given the age that I am, I definitely missed the specialization of education. If given the opportunity to specialize in a creative field, performing arts or the like… my career would have and would be going much differently.

Michael, 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?

As the son of a wedding photographer, I’ve been in the photography space my whole life. I can remember sitting at the dinner table, talking about the depth of field and exposure time. In the third grade, I did a slideshow of historically relevant buildings around New England.

Fast forward to, 2020, moved to Florida, during the pandemic and became obsessed with surfing, skating, and all things water-related, and the cultures that surround it.

My specialties are surfing, skating, SUP, and live music. My willingness to put myself in dangerous situations, to get shots that no one else is willing to get is one thing that sets me apart.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

It’s an outlet for me. It’s a way for me express myself in a creative way, while marrying my creativity, with monetization for my clients.

Also, when working with personal clients, for either headshot, boudoir, weddings or portraits, I love when I’m able to show someone, the beauty that I see in them, that they don’t see in themselves.

When I can tie my creativity and match that to a clients need, and then show profitability, that’s what tells me I’m doing a good job. I’m not an artist. I don’t “get it”. Take me to an art museum and I can appreciate the talent that the artists have, but evoking emotions, I’m not in the headspace.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

It starts with the artist. Not with society. Most artists die penniless and starving. You must evolve with the times. We as a society, given social media, and the ever growing need for content, it’s our job to show value in what can provide. Even though everyone has a camera in their pocket, the need for what I do, has never been greater.

I know, based on analytics, how well my pictures or videos perform over someone else, or what business have been putting up in the past. It’s pure black and white. No argument. But, it’s not art. It’s the “business of the business”. And if you’re not savvy enough, as an artist to navigate those waters… well you better be REALLY good at your craft! I get most artists want be creative and edgy, but if no one is buying what you’re selling, you’re screaming into a void. No one is listening.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.firstcoastglideproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstcoastglideproductions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstcoastglideproductions/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqXc4NCiRy68dP45LKDXPSw