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

Morgan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission is to transform Detroit’s narrative through photography.

The story behind it:

An initial interest in architecture and design from a high school architectural drafting course led me to receive a Master of Interior Design degree, at Lawrence Tech University after which I worked off and on as a freelance designer for about 5 years. I had dreams of moving to New York or San Francisco, but it was during a conference in New York in 2011 that I realized my desire to stay in Detroit to rebuild the city. At the time, having some experience in interior design and a hobby of photography, I ultimately decided to hone my skills in photography, using my eye to capture the life of Detroit and rebuild people’s perspective of the city.

I’m driven by the belief that our experiences help shape our passion and purpose, I found photography to be my vehicle to restore people’s hope in a city that has often been portrayed negatively. Yes the city faces hard realities daily, but it still offers beautiful gems. These gems are found in our neighborhoods, businesses that make life easier and enjoyable, and people who empower us with their shared stories. They help us to believe for better things and put action in place to make it a reality. We are reminded that our past doesn’t define us, but can be used to walk out our purpose and be of service to others. I believe we all can contribute to the city’s revival and my way is sharing positive visual messages through photography that will transform Detroit’s narrative.

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.

Photography began as a hobby in high school and this was also when I became interested in architecture and design through a drafting course. However it wasn’t until about 2011 that I started using my phone (actually) to capture images of Detroit that inspired me – whether it was a building, a park, a storefront, event etc. This was around the time Instagram launched – so I started sharing these images on the platform and people began to take notice. During a time when Detroit was mostly spoken negatively about and shortly before the start of the city’s revitalization, people saw these images of Detroit (and businesses) they weren’t aware of but shared how the images encouraged them about the state of the city.

Eventually I invested in my first DSLR camera and taught myself more about the craft through online learning platforms like Skillshare. I continued to share images as a hobby and I never thought photography would become my business. However, I developed my eye more and more and in 2016 someone reached out to me regarding a photoshoot they envisioned having with one of Detroit’s neighborhood buildings as the backdrop. And it went from there!

Most of my work centers on capturing the stories and work of community-minded Detroit organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs whose daily work is directly impacting the people of Detroit. More recently and often (going back to the root of what started my love of photography) I work with architects, interior designers, builders, real estate developers and agents to photograph homes, commercial spaces and the city life of Detroit. My love of architecture and design compels me to create images largely centered on city life, the built environment, and space and how people interact within all three.

I love using my camera to show Detroit in a positive light. Showing how it can be a place live, work, raise a family and play. When I can encourage people about our city and offer a sense of hope, I feel most fulfilled in my work. This is highly felt especially when I work with builders and investors who are renovating homes in neighborhoods for future residents to live in.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

Back in 2018 while working at my current 9-5, I had the opportunity to participate in an Instashot! Architectural Photography competition for the Junior League of Detroit Design Showhouse at the Charles T. Fisher Mansion in Detroit’s historic Boston-Edison district. Initially I wasn’t going to go for it as I had to take time off of work to photograph the home during the time designated for those participating. After a discussion about it with my mom I was encouraged to and decided to go for it as it was something I was very excited about.

I showed up the day of with alot of people on-site doing the same thing I was there for. As someone who officially started the business 2 years prior, I knew I might be up against some veterans in the industry and possibly some newbies like myself. But I went through the day like I was supposed to be there! Not only did I end up placing 2nd in the competition, I was separately hired to photograph a private collection of images of the home for the owner – Hill Harper. I met a member of his team during a competition-related breakfast event at the home and after conversation and seeing more of my work I was hired to create the collection.

It was a big lesson for me to go for the things you love and are excited about even when you have to find a way to make it work because you never know what can come from it. Had I not decided to take time off work to participate in the competition, the opportunity to form a connection with someone from Hill Harper’s team would not have occurred, leading me to photograph one of the most magnificent spaces I have seen to date.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

My best source of new clients is previous clients! I receive many referrals from people I previously worked with (and continue to work with.) I believe people work with who they like, though a certain level of skill is definitely still required! When people can vouch for you and recommend you to others, it speaks alot to the credibility of your business and also is pretty affirming on a personal and business level. Treating people well and creating a great experience in working with you goes a long way.     

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.redbymorgan.com/
• Instagram: @redbymorgan
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/redbymorganphotography