We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Vincent Parks and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Michael Vincent, what matters most to you?
The most important principle for Mister Mundane Photography is enjoying every moment. In the age of social media, many people spend their days stressing over matters that are ultimately difficult to suppress. The Mister Mundane Photography brand serves as an escape to an endless perfect day which is cherished by all walks of life.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
One aspect I pride myself on is providing the missing piece in the complex puzzle known as advertising in the 2020s. Many brands today often produce sleek, minimalistic styles of photography that are ultimately seen as dull, melodramatic, or hyper-realized imagery; this results in being viewed as another ad that is trying too hard or is too out of touch. My brand offers a unique alternative. I truly have a passion for bringing out the happiest qualities of even the most ordinary moments. My studies at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts for production of film and television add on to the already polished and experienced perspective I have for how to create a plethora of worthwhile photos. Being a recent graduate of Stilwell School of the Arts with training from NYU Tisch, I have the unique ability to heavily understand both the corporate, mature, analytical aspects of the logistics realm of commercial photography in conjunction with the fun-loving, upbeat, warm, comfortable, perfect-day aspects of the creative realm of commercial photography. My style aligns with what many younger buyers crave to consume in today’s media. I offer a perspective which no one else can replicate. Granted, some people are able to create husks of the kind of style that I offer in my photography. However, I’m a photographer with the ability to breathe life into my subjects, and therefore, the viewer. I deliver vibrance where others merely carry preset color grades mixed with hollow smiles. I carry friendliness, cordiality, and sympathy where others merely carry tolerance. I work with the team during photoshoots rather than using the team. If you find some difficulty placing belief into my claims, I don’t blame you. They seem too good to be true. However, I have support from associates and colleagues to support my work. Organizations such as Fox Theatre Atlanta, Disney Dreamers Academy, All Abroad Inc., Bard College, and Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau have all featured my work in their online promotion, and dozens have praised my intrinsic use of location and color. I’m a youthful spark ready to burn ablaze with passion within the photography industry; the only reason I haven’t fully released this energy is that I’m waiting for an opportunity to strike the match. My best work can be found on my online photography portfolio website ( mistermundanephotography.com) and my Instagram page ( https://instagram.com/_mistermundane_ ). I’m very proud of the work I’ve created this far, and I only foresee my becoming better at the crafts of photography, customer service, cooperation, and leadership from this point forward.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Haha, this is a great question. As someone who was born and raised in Atlanta, there’s very few areas that I haven’t physically laid eyes on. Personally, I’d encourage spending time in the Inman Park, Krog Street Tunnel, GA Tech, Tech Square, Ansley Park, and Marietta Square areas of Metro-Atlanta. I’d be sure to recommend Halal Guys in Midtown, Bartaco in Inman Park, and George’s Bar and Restaurant the Virginia-Highland district as unique spots to eat. Piedmont Park, Winn Park, and Old Forth Ward Skatepark along the Eastside Beltline are spots that I’d recommend for hanging out. All of these places I’ve listed are well maintained but unique enough to retain a sense of authenticity. In my opinion, people watching is one of the most interesting things that can be done in the city because there are so many stories being told within every interaction.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shout-out to @timcaver on Instagram. His style of photography serves as a good anchor for the style that I am growing to devop, and @timcaver has always made himself available to advise me on different aspects of developing a quality photography brand.
Website: mistermundanephotography.com
Instagram: instagram.com/_mistermundane_
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-parks-39a1b319b/
Image Credits
Images by Michael Vincent Parks of Mister Mundane Photography