Meet the Model: Michael

Michael, Michael, Michael. This is often what I'm thinking in my head while I am on a modeling shoot with this amazing model. I met Michael back in the Spring when I instantly connected with his amazing mother, Patty. I first noticed his potential in modeling at his mothers cancer shaving party. He had a certain look I was going for especially as a more "serious" model and had a gorgeous face. He can pull off both the "clean shaving" look and also the scruffy look which makes each of our shoot possibilities endless.

Michael is also one of my most difficult models. He would be the first of all of them to grab my camera and start snapping pictures of random things or myself. My shoots with him seem to take double the time - but we always end up with extremely awesome and successful photographs.

Check out some of Michael's answers:

1. Have you ever modeled before working with Meg Martino Photography?

A little. I had people that would ask me to do a shoot here or there. 

2. Were you surprised that you were asked to model with me? What were you expecting?

I was a little surprised and I'm not sure what I was expecting. Weirdness, because you are weird. 

3. What has been the most challenging experience? 

Meeting your expectations. 

4. What have you learned from modeling? Would you recommend someone else model, even just for fun, if they were asked?

Yes, I would recommend it and I learned to just have fun with it. Meg is fun. And life is short. No need to be serious all the time. I feel like when people are so serious all the time life becomes boring. 

5. What has been your favorite experience/shoot with Meg?

Definitely the night shooting. I'm looking forward to more of that. The colors are so bright and it's my style for sure. 

Michael has since become one of my best friends. He's a great model and is open to new ideas and creative props and locations. He's also an amazing tattoo artist (if you are interested in his information for work please private message me on my facebook page).

I have high expectations for Michael and look forward to what the future holds as far as his modeling and the portraits take both of us. I use him for a lot of creative face shots and plan to add more creative ideas to our shoots.

I'm also grateful for the few shots that Michael has capture of me by being just himself. He's one of the most genuine people I've met. He doesn't always show his sensitive side but it's there and it's one of the things I love most about him. Make sure you hit him up with a comment or two on how awesome he is and check out his full portrait rolls over on the Meg Martino Photography facebook page. You will be sure to enjoy them!

Happy Four Months

Wow. I'm here. It's here. Four months into this wild, crazy, adventurous story of becoming a photographer. A legit photographer. The kind that actually makes, ((gulp)), money. But that's not just it. There is a certain high I get when I take a good photograph. There is a high that I get when I work with a model, and I'm posing them and they feel good about themselves because even though they may not feel like they are good looking or attractive, they see the photograph and they see themselves in a new life.

That's just it. I can take good photographs all day. But it's the people behind the lens that makes those photographs come to life. Not kidding. I don't just say that to be humble, I say that because it's true. My subjects, the people I get to meet, they are wonderful. They make my job so fun, even in the stressful times.

So here we are. Here I am. Four months since I've started this business and I've never been happier. There have been so many bumps in the road. So many scary moments and times where I wanted to give up. I wanted to share just a few short snippets of what I've learned on this journey of following my dream. That's what I am doing and you can do it too.

Lesson 1: Don't doubt yourself.

The minute I hit "go" on my facebook page for Meg Martino Photography I started to doubt. "My work isn't good enough. Look at the coloring. I can't do this. It's too much." Stop. Just stop. If you don't push yourself, IF YOU don't encourage yourself, no one else will.

I had people tell me that what I was doing wasn't a "real job." That because I wasn't bringing in a certain amount of money on a regular basis (yet) that I needed to get a full-time job. I needed to do "my part" in bringing in an income for my family. This was my dream and I was doubting what I could be with it, what I could do, because of others opinions.

Don't doubt. Push yourself. You will need to grow, but growth is part of the process.

Lesson 2: Pass it along

Don't hoard your knowledge. I'm always taking interns. Currently Grace, my baby sister/baby bear of our family, is my intern. If I were to die tomorrow could my legacy go on? Could the knowledge and ideas in my head be put into action? If not, you aren't doing your part as a leader.

Lesson 3: Step outside of your comfort zone

I am so comfortable behind the camera. Like I said earlier, I get this feeling. I feel so happy, so content. I see the world differently. I see colors differently. I feel free. NO one judges me behind the camera. No one laughs at me, no one asks me to be different. They see me as an artist, as a working woman, as a mom, as an independent and beautifully creative woman.

But sometimes, we have to step out of our comfort zone. I had to do this when I got out from behind the lens and stepped in front of it. I have to grow.

Lesson 4: Be unique. Create your own style. Be You.

Why do I photograph people of all ages, races, and sizes? Because I don't want to be the same. Sorry, not sorry, to say that the "fake" look doesn't appeal to me. I don't just want woman who are skinny with perfect breasts and butts. I don't want just men with perfectly shaved beards and a six pack. I want real. I want life. I want relate ability.

I have my own style. I have my own ideas and my own thoughts and because I don't want to be a photographer who just snaps portraits, I will create and develop my own style. Do the same for you. Whatever you are doing right now, whatever dream you are pursuing, be you.

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So where is Meg Martino Photography at right now? I'm working on two big projects. One is a creative piece where I will re-create at least a dozen of the Grimm Fairy Tales. Throughout the fall and even into the winter I will photograph different models in these stories adding my own personal style.

I'm also now doing Humans Of Charlotte. This is a spin off the famous Humans of New York and will feature dozens of stories each week of people in and around the Charlotte area. Why? Because I love people. I have no fear and I'm bold and I want to use my talents.

Follow me? Come with me? This journey rocks.