We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Newman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
One of my long standing stories I’ve shared about how I got into photography/videography is from when was as a child, I loved working with my hands and one area was in drawing and was able to look at a photograph and recreate it using paper and pencil but knew I wasn’t passionate enough in the art to initially make it a career so I was persuaded towards technology and was very successful in IT yet there was still a yearn for the creative side that technology didn’t offer until I tried to draw and realized even my stick people looked awful. I then realized I could still be artistic and still draw but by leveraging technology to create my art. By having a camera in my hand, I can still draw what’s within the frame of my lens through the posing of people and the composition (framing, background, etc.) that creates the picture.

I realized that through photography I was still creating the artistic outcome of the final picture, and through videography I’m determining what the scene will be, what the lighting will portray, and how the story will be told through the final edits. Ansel Adams once said, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it”. and this is what I hold true to the art of photography.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Reflecting back on my opportunity to capture memorable moments for the Atlanta Falcons for 7yrs as their corporate partnership photographer, shot as the designated Atlanta event photographer over the past 12yrs and currently for the Black College Football Hall of Fame foundation as former NFL and College football players are being inducted, shooting for TechBridge Atlanta currently to cover headshots/testimonials of their graduating technology students as well as several of their corporate partnership events, and many other great opportunities has brought me a long way from being that young guy with a film camera and not understanding the camera settings or if the pictures came out good until they were developed – a moment to be proud of.

What I’ve been told that sets me apart from many in my industry is my ability to express the feeling within the client as being a member of their team for a long time when I’ve only worked with them for a couple hours. I’ve been told that this is from being relatable, being professional and kind, being creative while listening to their ideas and how to best incorporate them, and by never making them feel any less of a person because they don’t understand the craft.

As a passionate licensed FAA Drone Pilot and Artistic Photographer/Videographer, I always look forward to the opportunity to shoot private and corporate events, headshots, testimonials, documentaries, weddings (as videographer), engagement shoots, family portraits, real estate, and currently working with a partner to create a 2min mini shorts and a 13min short video – all of which create memorable moments.

Lessons learned – I also understood that you can’t have a testimony without being tested. I dealt with times where i’ve wanted to give up because i didn’t think i was as good as many you see on YouTube and event shows or even had the comparable equipment. I’ve dealt with difficult customers who not matter what you try to do to make them happy, always find a way to make it difficult. I’ve had situations where my heart fell to my stomach because of equipment failure during an event. All of those tribulations only made me stronger and wiser and much more prepared when accepting any opportunity to work for a client. In order to know what you are made of and become better at what you do, you must go through challenges. You must fall in order to know how to stand back up or as Henry Ford once quoted “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta is rich with history and many things to do that many don’t experience when visiting Georgia. I would say the following places would be on the itinerary:
MLK Museum and Birth Place
National Center of Civil and Human Rights
Atlanta Streetcar tour or Segway tour (depending on age)
Breakfast or Lunch at South City Kitchen
Dinner and Entertainment at the Battery
Dinner at Westin SunDial
Picnic/Cookout at Piedmont Park or Grant Park
Visit sites near Centennial Park
Dinner at HobNob in Atlantic Station
Bowling in Atlantic Station or Puttshack Mini Golf

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As a child with a creative mind and no direction, my mom (Marie Newman) and sister (Dora Dickerson) realized in order to stay out the streets of trouble, they needed to push me into a trade that allowed me to use my hands which launched me into having a successful IT Career over the last 28yrs and a successful hobby that became a side profession which will continue after retirement in IT. The humble appreciation of having people like Tracey Brown Photography and Mike Moreland with Moreland Photography as my mentors when I decided to pick up a camera as a craft. Mike Moreland still mentors me today and continues to challenge me to become better. The appreciation of trust from those such as Michael Brown, Tamura Wells, and Robert Fields who allowed the ability to share with them what I’ve learned in the creative art of photography has made them better photographers. A deep appreciation to my church Zion Hill Baptist Church in SW Atlanta as being a platform where I was able to serve on many ministries over the past 25yrs and sharpen my artistic skills through volunteering with the AV Ministry. And for the Lord and Savior for opening the doors that allowed me to not only remain humble but also place those in my life that nurtured me through life experiences.

Website: www.shanemichaelphoto.com

Instagram: @shanemichaelproduction

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyEnAv5YjkLSbutO1njpMYw

Other: @shanemichaelphoto

Image Credits
Portrait by Joshua T. Newman

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.