Michael Candee
Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
Firstlight Creative Photography
In Person
Video Call
I’ve photographed in the boardroom, the clean room and the classroom, as well as high above the landscapes. There is no limit to the places I can go and what I can do in this job. I’ve had some wonderful adventures.
I started First Light Creative photography is 1995 and work as a sole proprietor, bringing on assistants as I need them. In addition to working as a photographer, I teach at the college level, sharing my knowledge with the next generation.
Here’s just a bit of what we can cover in our PivotPlanet sessions together:
• Business overview and approach: how to define your market, target clients and network
• Creating the right portfolio for your audience
• Introduction to Nikon digital camera and digital photography
• Discussion and use of lighting: finding the “right” light, adapting to different situations and using the tools at hand
• Photoshop for the photographer – a tutorial to take the image to the next step
• And anything else you want to ask about the profession I love!
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Photography has always been my passion. While I graduated college with a dual degree, I never used either and just followed my heart. I’ve been lucky to work in all types of photography from portraits, to aerials, to business reports to landscape. Each new situation is an opportunity to learn and grow.
I love my work mostly because it affords me incredible freedom to choose how to manage each day. My clients are usually a blast to work with. If not, I can choose not to work with them again. I’m a people person, so this job suits me. I’m happiest when a client is blown away by the images I create.
I love challenges and feel confident going into almost any situation and knowing I can return great results.
I love being a PivotPlanet advisor because my biggest regret is not finding a mentor early on. I learned the hard way, and it doesn’t have to be that hard.
If people don't know you have the best mousetrap, they will never beat a path to your door. That’s why I encourage my clients to take some business and marketing classes. Learn as much about your client as you can—what do they like, where do they shop, what music do they listen to? Finding out these little things will not only endear you to your clients, it will help you get a sense of their style and the type of photo they might best relate to.
Photography is a career most people choose for the passion, not for the dollars, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some very well-off photographers. I think it is safe to say that a first year photographer may realistically make in excess of $35,000, and maybe double that by year two.
People should choose this career if they want an outlet to express themselves. The opportunities are endless. How far you take it is up to you.
