'I am not a teacher, but an awakener.'
Robert Frost
It shouldn't be surprising, that many artists who work in front of the camera, eventually end up working behind it. Actors become writer and directors, singers become music producers, and many models become photographers. It makes absolute sense, that when creating is your passion, to explore any and all creative possibilities.
I think this is especially significant for those in front of the camera, when your face, your body, your look is your mode of creation. Not everyone who's photogenic is comfortable in front of the camera, and even those that are, know there is a time limit to that piece of their creative career.
Michel spent most of the 80's and 90's in front of the camera. With his beautifully structured face, great lips, and sculpted physique, he was sought after by many of the industries best chroniclers of the male form. While modeling, and creating alongside photographers, including accomplished New York artist,
Hans Fahrmeyer, Michael immersed himself in the creative process, watching and learning from photographers on the other side of the lens.
After moving from Europe to New York in the mid-eighties, Hans established his photography studio in the Lower East Side. Han began photographing special events and stage productions, especially opera, and specialized in portraits, body and fitness photography. Michael became one of Hans first subjects, photographing him first in the late eighties, and again in the nineties.
'A writer is told to write what he knows–a photographer to shoot what snags his mind’s eye.'
As is my goal with
FH, Michael believes in telling a story with his art, not just visually, but also by including captions and comments. In doing so, Michael hopes to deepen the connection between visual and viewer by stimulating both the ocular and emotional senses through his work.