Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Winters.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been a full-time adolescent counselor for nearly 30 years and it took me about 20 of those years to realize that I needed a creative outlet to offset the stressful and emotionally draining tasks my “normal” job sometimes entails. I bought a point and shoot camera on a whim about 11 years ago and began shooting bands in local clubs, and to my surprise the bands wanted them.
As time went on I got more and more requests to photograph shows or do promo shots, etc. I began to read photography blogs, explore other photographers work and found photography that inspired me to seriously pursue this new “hobby” of mine. I also quickly discovered that the limitations of my little point and shoot camera were preventing me from doing what I “wanted” to do and thus lead me down the rabbit hole of investing in a better camera, studio lights and more equipment than I care to list!
I spent a few years trying everything, shooting landscapes, weddings. architecture, etc. but I found that what I really enjoyed most was shooting people. This dovetailed with my lifelong love of the early cinema, from the silent era through the 40”s and 50’s. The costumes, lighting and sets have held a fascination for me as far back as I can remember.
This led me to the world of fashion photography which to my mind is really a melding of the two and the area that is most intriguing to me now.
Living in seacoast New Hampshire doesn’t present a lot of opportunity for that sort of thing (at least professionally) so I’ve been fortunate to connect with a lot of creative people in various professions, hair, make-up, purveyors of vintage clothing and costuming, etc.
The projects themselves are quite rewarding as it allows everyone to do a little something different than they might do in their day to day work. The models are often just friends or acquaintances who don’t mind sitting in front of a camera and being photographed in sometimes less than traditional situations. It takes a special person to allow a dead moth to be glued to their face!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Since most of my work is personal in nature its been a fairly smooth road for me. and much of that is the result of having a full-time job as a school counselor, I have summers off and quite a few vacations throughout the year.
In some ways, it’s nice that I don’t need to depend on photography to pay the rent but the downside is that I’ve also had to turn down commercial jobs because I’m working during the school year. It’s sometimes tough to strike the right balance especially when a job comes up that would be really cool to be a part of.
My biggest struggle is finding the right time and coordinating the people to work on projects. Everybody has “real jobs” and its sometimes months from getting the idea until we shoot.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Michael Winters Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I guess if I were to simplify what I shoot it would fall under the category of portraiture although many times there are elements of my work that sets it apart from typical portraitures such as make-up/hair and clothing or other “props”.
To be honest I still have trouble answering the question “what do you shoot”. The simple answer is “people” but that’s only a piece of it. It’s not that I don’t do headshots, weddings or product photography, sometimes I do, but most people call on me for something a little different than the typical portrait session.
I think what made me most proud of my work is that people recognize it, at least in the small area of New Hampshire that I inhabit. I also published “Friends and Muses” a book of photography a couple years ago that I’m pretty proud of.
Occasionally people send me shots other photographers work and say “that looks like something you would have done”, often these are photographers whose names shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence as my name because they are so far beyond what I am capable of.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m always on the search for some decent studio space I can call my own. It’s tough renting/borrowing space to shoot as you find yourself working around the studio schedules and often have a limited time in which to work.
I’ve got crazy dreams of incorporating large set pieces into a shoot but alas they’ll probably remain dreams until I find a space all to myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: michaelwintersphotography.com
- Phone: 6034272444
- Email: mgerardw@gmail.com
- Instagram: michael_winters
- Facebook: @michaelwintersphoto
- Other: https://www.behance.net/mwintersphotography
Image Credit:
Lily Vachon, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Jenn Colby, Liz Favini, Juila Mehrmann, Liz Battle, Jessica Troy, Kelsey Wilson, Xoey Tribbiani, Jeane’ McCartin, Sajin Ka, Chelsey Drapeau
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
