We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Higgins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

I was a professional dancer here in Los Angeles working in the film and tv industry for about 25 years. I fortunately had a successful career having been in over 100 dance films! I was getting into my mid 40’s and knew I had to make a change, wanting to try something new and different.
I was touring with Reba McEntire for about 5 years and she approached me, having seen me walking around with a camera shooting before our shows and she asked me if I could shoot promo the next season for some sponsors at a number of venues…could I do it? And my answer was, of course, yes!!!
Was I ready? No!!! But learned some basics over the summer break and brought my lighting kit and cameras on our tour bus for the next couple years.
Of course, I wanted to learn more and I fortunately was accepted into a UCLA mentorship program with master photographer Bobbi Lane. I am forever thankful for her mentorship and lighting mastery. I got better with my lighting technique and was forever changed. My studio in Hollywood was in operation for 25 years and I currently have a large studio in DTLA where I work.

The transition from dance to photography was conceptually an easy one. From looking at the mirror creating dance line to stepping behind the camera and creating composition was one and the same.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

See previous.
But in terms of problems that I solve for clients, I am especially astute in working with fashion collections where we can incorporate movement and line. I am so familiar with talking dancespeak, that it’s easy for me to translate that to models and get them into positions or move them in ways that have vibrancy.

I think one of my particular strengths that has clients coming back to me again and again is that I am there to serve the product. Yes, I am there to create my personal spin and vision without losing what they want. No ego involved.
I think far too often, egos in this business are so entangled that one forgets that for jobs, anyway, we are to be of service. It’s a challenge sometimes but in that challenge of trying to decode their needs for their campaign or look, it’s a puzzle that is fun when we all collaborate. They feel better, I feel better. It’s always a teamwork thing.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I think I had to drop the idea of perfection in shooting as that concept is very elusive and deceiving. Technically, when I first started, lighting and exposure, wardrobe, hair and makeup to be just so even at the expense of missing the moment with the model. Or even missing “happy accidents” of some twist that you might not have thought about previously.
I think now I try to keep it more fluid and more collaborative so everyone plays a part. And, because we all want to feel heard and feel as if our contribution matters, more joy and more magic happens at the shoot! Teamwork, yo!

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

You know that saying “microcosm of the greater whole”? Well, I like that sentiment because it relates to you being part of this image process. You’re the photographer, yes, but you need everyone to make it all work. Gotta have great clothing, gotta have a great model, gotta have a great stylist, gotta have a great hair person, gotta have a great makeup person, gotta have a great photo assistant….etc., etc.
You can’t make great art just by yourself. Yea, you might be guiding the ship a little but it’s all hands on deck!
And, it goes without saying…take care of your people. Make sure they get paid before you get paid. No yelling on set. Keep good vibes and people will respond in kind. It’s definitely more fun and it definitely gets better results!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://higphoto.com
• Instagram: IG: @michaelhigginsphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.higgins.14203/

Image Credits

all images shot by me and I retain the copyright. All models have given permission for usage in magazine.
Dancers: Barbara Patterson, Alex Melo, Junji Dezaki, Norma Phillips, Angelina Pralus, Kate Coleman, Ben Bigler, Aaliyah Beck, Tristan Erickson