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

Michael, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have been able to make a full time living with photography. Starting out it was tough, I had moved from a larger market to Maine, and found it tough to get my foot in the door, all while learning the nuances of a different market. That was a decade ago and now I feel fortunate everyday that I get to do this for a living. Still the hardest part is selling new clients on your ability to make great work for them. Often times it can be a risk for clients to hire new talent and they are more likely to work with folks they have had positive experiences with in the past. I have found once I can get one job with new clients it usually results in repeat work. Being able to share more and more successful projects with new clients helps speed up that trust.

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

I arrived at photography like most, a high school kid with no real interests other than photography. I studied Medical photography in college and moved to New York City afterwards to work with some seasoned commercial and editorial shooters. After many year of assisting other photographers my partner and I settled in Maine and have been here for about a decade now. Being in a smaller market has allowed me to shoot a variety of styles and subject matter. With my primary focus being people, lifestyle, and brand work. Though I do love a good product or food & drink shoot. Visual problem solving is thing that I excel at, combining my technical medical photography background, with the lighting experience from NYC, and my never ending sense of curiosity, I really dive deep into each client project to produce that both wow’s clients and myself.

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

Being professional has always been top priority for me. Meeting deadlines, and listening to and incorporating client feedback is critical. Honestly the number one thing for me has been to be a kind person. No one wants to work with jerks. I love being a photographer and have a great time on shoots, and want subject, clients and crew to enjoy themselves as well!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I’d say consistently surprising myself when making work. It’s so easy to do the same thing on repeat from assignment to assignment, but the times when I am pushed, by myself or a client, to make something that is new/better than what I’ve made before is a constant source of reward.

Contact Info:

• Website: Michaelwilsonphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mwphotographic/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-wilson-photo-maine/

Image Credits
Michael D. Wilson