We recently connected with Michael Kent and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

Our Photo Club was born from the legacy of Allen-Kent Photography – a name already known and trusted in our community for subtle lighting, deep storytelling, and emotional portraits.

We built this club with a belief that creativity is a birthright. We all have the ability to see the world uniquely, and photography is one of the most powerful tools to express that vision. Our Photo Club exists to nurture that spark, no matter where you are in your journey—from curious beginner to seasoned professional.

What made us confident this would work? Because we knew that photography is about people. And people want community, mentorship, and encouragement just as much as they want tutorials and gear tips. We knew we could offer all of that—without the gatekeeping or ego that so often comes with it.

Our Photo Club didn’t start as a grand idea or big plan. It began as a simple meetup. I wanted to hang out with other photographers, take some photos, and push ourselves to try new things. We were looking for community. We were looking for creative fuel. This was one of the first projects that I didn’t overthink and got in my own way.

That first gathering wasn’t about education or strategy. It was just about sharing something we love with others who love it too. But something clicked. We realized that there was a need for this kind of space, a place where people could feel safe showing up as they are, asking questions, and growing together.

From there, things started to grow. We began putting more intention behind what we were offering, building everything on a foundation of kindness, inclusivity, and a shared love for photography. Our Photo Club became more than just a meetup. It became a home base for creative connection.

Michael, 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?

I’m Michael Stewart Patrick Kent. I’ve been a portrait photographer with my wife, Brooke Allen, for almost 15 years, and I’ve spent the last 5 or so years focused on teaching and building community.

We live in Northern Michigan, in a small but insanely beautiful town on the shores of Lake Michigan. Our summers are some of the best in the country, which is why we’ve been able to build a robust photography career in such a small place. People come from all over the Midwest to swim, explore, hike, relax, and get married here.

Our Photo Club began as an outpouring of my need to share, help others grow, and build connection—rather than push others out of the market. It didn’t hurt that we get around 700 leads a year for sessions, and we’re able to refer those clients to photographers in our community when we’re booked.

What started as a simple excuse to make friends with local photographers has since grown into a space for education and support online, too.

We now work hard to strike a balance between what happens here in our local community and what we can offer to those who aren’t nearby. Some of the best parts of Photo Club happen in person—photo walks, casual hangs, and local meetups—but we’ve built ways for anyone, anywhere, to feel part of the club.

Whether you’re joining us at the coffee shop or tuning in from another time zone, here’s what we’re offering right now:

• Monthly in-person photo walks
Casual, creative, and community-first. We meet up, explore, and shoot without pressure.

• Online challenges paired with those walks
Designed to push photographers of all levels in thoughtful, low-stress ways—even if you can’t be here in person.

• Self-directed courses and hybrid workshops
These are accessible from anywhere, plus we offer in-person sessions for those nearby.

• A community built on curiosity and respect
We care about kind people, good questions, and thoughtful conversation.

• Honest conversation from real photographers
We talk openly about the creative process, client work, burnout, inspiration, and everything in between.

• Encouragement without ego
We’re not here to flex. We’re here to connect, grow, and support each other’s creative paths.

Why It’s Different
We’re not trying to be flashy. This isn’t about showing off.

It’s about showing up—and joining a community that truly supports you.
We believe photography and creativity belong to everyone.
And we believe that growth comes from being supported, not judged.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Honestly, we didn’t start Photo Club with reputation in mind. It began as a way to meet people, stay inspired, and not feel so isolated in a field that can often feel really isolating.

But over time, yeah—it has helped build trust. Not just with other photographers, but with clients too. People in our area know that we show up, we care, and we want the whole scene to thrive. When folks see you investing in others and creating a positive environment, it tends to reflect back.

We’ve also seen that building community is one of the best long games for sustainability in this field. Reputation isn’t just about being good at what you do. It’s about being good to work with, good to know, and consistent in how you treat people. That’s what Photo Club helps us practice, over and over again.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

One thing we’ve noticed is that a lot of people want to be creative—but they’re hesitant to actually call themselves a “photographer.” Even if they love taking photos, even if they shoot all the time, there’s this sense that they haven’t earned the title. Like they need permission. Or a paycheck. Or a certain kind of camera.

But creativity isn’t something you earn. It’s something you already have. It’s the birthright of all humans.

Photography has never been more accessible. You don’t need to be a professional, or even someone who wants to make money with your camera, to be part of this community. If you’re curious, if you care, if you want to see the world more deeply—that’s enough. That’s everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ourphotoclub.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourphotoclub
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thisisourphotoclub

Image Credits

Allen-Kent Photography https://allen-kentphotography.com/