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

Michael, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Yes, I have been working in photography full time since 2012-2013. I used to work at an orange juice manufacturing plant while I was going to college (I’m not going to name the college as they don’t have a good reputation. I have actually lost work saying I came from that school). I found out a few of the college classes could be substituted for internships. I started an internship at KSC Create (One Kreate, Creative Drive, Etc.) in Hollywood, Florida. I liked it there, I spent almost every day there. Which was more than the required 10 hours a week, I was doing 50+ a week, after the internship ended I stayed working there for a while. I started getting referrals to assist other photographers. I joined the South Florida chapter of American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP). I eventually became secretary of the local chapter. I met a lot of photographers volunteering for the many events they hosted. I listed myself on every crew website I could find most free, some paid. Eventually, I had enough referrals from other photographers I have worked with, to keep me getting consistent assisting gigs. I eventually started digital teching, I also got into video. When at the time many photographers had no clue about it, I helped many photographers transition into video. I am a very technical person, I learn everything about something so I can show others. I got really into time lapse around 2014. I spent lots of time researching it and getting into it. Hyperlapse in 2016 was almost unheard of, but easily done now. I created an 8k time lapse right after the 5dSR came out. But it is hard to market myself as a time lapse artist, so I mostly did it all for fun.

I still assist about 70% of the time, the rest is split up with digital tech, video, and my own photography jobs. Over the last 10 or so years, I have assisted well over 250 photographers. I have worked on just about every shoot type, but mostly: Architecture, hospitality, fashion, advertising, celebrity/ sports, and portraits.

I learn easily from anyone, I probably didn’t need to go to school, or even get a degree. But I have one, I am the first person in my family to graduate college. I could have jumped right in by calling photographers to see if they needed help, skipping school altogether. I have definitely learned more working in the field. Overall, college has made me more disciplined than other people I have met, learning etiquette, and what not to do in the photo industry, so it was good for some things.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Michael Cushman. I fell in love with film photography in middle school, we had a photography class, developed film, and made prints. I didn’t think I could make a living off of it so I started studying to be an architect. The last two years of high school I went to tech school for architecture. Worked as an apprentice in an office for 6 months In Pennsylvania. Then realized I didn’t want to sit in an office all day. I moved to Marathon, Florida in 2006, picked up a camera again. Eventually starting school for photography in 2008. Graduated in 2013, I have been full time in photography since 2012. I mostly shoot architecture, hospitality, events, and lots of video. I also specialize in time lapse, which I use in a lot of hospitality videos.

I can create and capture just about anything. I have a background in building things, architecture for the designs of buildings, etc. I can build just about anything to make the shot happen. “Michael makes it happen” some people say.

Over the last 10 years, I have assisted well over 250 photographers. Worked with over 50 brands. Also, have worked on just about every shoot type, mainly: Architecture, hospitality, fashion, advertising, industrial, celebrity/ sports, and portraits.

In 2021 I was on 34 flights, 2022 I have been on 18 so far (as of July 16th). I have been traveling all over shooting hotels, which is a huge field right now.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Most of the work I get is through word of mouth. I keep getting referrals because I keep doing good work (so I’m told). I keep my website up to date, although I get most of the work through referrals. I never pass up an opportunity to meet new people. I always have business cards on me to give out to anyone who I meet.

Have you ever had to pivot?

During the Pandemic, there was almost no photography work. So to fill in the time I started doing handyman work. With everyone spending all their time at home, it was only natural to find a niche till photography started back up to full speed. I worked on many of the photographers houses I worked for in the past. Which naturally spread referrals word of mouth about my work. I made many more connections during that time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MichaelCushman.com
• Instagram: @MichaelCPhotography
• Linkedin: I have been working in the photo and video industry for over 10 years.
• Other: https://vimeo.com/michaelcushman

Image Credits
Picture of me: Tom C Robison