How did Mike Kelley develop his methods for photographing architecture?
Mike Kelley's response: "Many would consider me to be ‘self taught’, but it isn’t as simple as that. Of course, there was a lot of reading and studying, lots of practice both on location and in front of the computer, and a lot of advice from some very, very generous people who have offered their help ad nauseum. There are so many artists and photographers who have offered help and advice over the years that it would be impossible to recount them all here, but make no mistake; my techniques were built on the shoulders of those who came before me. I may have put my own spin on it, but by looking at photographs I liked, reverse engineering them, and copying the artists of the past, I was able to come up with a style that I found fit my mindset. This may sound redundant, but the best way to learn I’ve found, is just by doing. Just go out and experiment with your camera, bring it home and spend hours and hours on photoshop and searching your questions on the internet – it’s amazing how much information you can get just by searching. I still do that even to this day."
After years of perfecting his unique "light painting with speedlights" technique, Mike Kelley has quickly become one of the most sought after architecture and interior photographers around. Mixing artificial light, natural ambient light, and high powered strobe light.
Michael specializes in creating photos that communicate a sense of place, belonging, and the design intent of the architect. His creative approach helps his clients create bold and impactful marketing materials, capturing their audiences whether through print, interactive, or digital media.
After completing degrees in Environmental Science and Studio Art at the University of Vermont and University of Otago in New Zealand, Michael moved to Lake Tahoe, CA to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional snowboarder. However, after sustaining severe injuries, Michael decided to follow his passions of art and design into a career as an architectural photographer.