In a world where every cell phone has a better camera than most professional digital ones from only 10 years ago, it’s important to know, and trust, the photographer you choose to create portraits for you isn’t a fly-by-night cowboy who will meet you in Starbucks with the camera he got for Christmas!
Mike’s photographer career began many moons ago (in the mid 1990’s) while working as a lead retoucher for Europe’s largest publisher in London. Retouching images from photographers from around the world, he was convinced he could “do better!” – so after a trip to the local camera store a new hobby, and a lifelong obsession began. Of course, it was nowhere near as easy as he had thought and a respect for fellow photographers soon followed. After tagging along with the photographer at his friend’s wedding, he set off on his first professional photographer journey and has captured over 200 weddings since, as well as babies, families and motor racing.
Pin-ups have taken Mike around the world presenting workshops to photographers in Canada, Australia and on a 13 city tour around America. and also presented a platform class at the annual Wedding and Portrait Photographer’s convention in Las Vegas for 4 years running.
Mike Says: “I have been lucky enough to have had two births – the first was in the very early 1970’s in England. I lived a very happy, if somewhat beige life, settling in London where I lived for over 10 years. I was then reborn when my wife and I moved to America where my life has taken many twists and turns, and has certainly been full of color! I’m what I consider to be a “born again” American – I chose to be here! (and yes, I’m a citizen, and very proudly so) Shortly before moving to the Pacific northwest we had our first baby, and shortly after we arrived we added another, both boys full of energy, questions and funny smells! I stood on stage at the MGM feeling like Elvis. I’m sure at least 20% of the audience understood my accent!
I like sunlight, my son’s laugher, chocolate and am firmly stuck in the late 80’s music-wise. Bon Jovi were always my favorite band, before Jonny Boy turned them into an elevator music knockoff.
Oh, and #superman”
