Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Antonio Hunter.
Michael, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been in entertainment my whole life to some degree. I was singing, dancing, performing; all before, I was knew I could use a camera. I came into photography by accident. I was into graphic design and building websites. When I was in high school, I started making websites for celebrities – one of whom was Eva Marcille who had just won her season of America’s Next Top Model. I didn’t start photography until I got to college. It was the dawn of digital cameras and I was one of few who had one before every phone had a camera.
So I was tasked with taking photos of my friends. From there, I would edit the photos with my graphic design knowledge as best I could. I practiced and practiced and it grew from there. Somewhere along the way, Eva learned I was a photographer and set up a photoshoot with her and her cousin, Terrell Mullin. That shoot made me people take me more seriously. From there, I went on to work with Lil’ Kim, Amber Rose, Bianca King, Lil’ Mo, Rasheeda, Nivea and many, many more over the years.
I’ve shot album covers for Lil’ Kim and Lil’ Mo, editorials printed in Vogue with Stevie Boi, billboards, advertisements and all of it still humbles me and makes me so excited to see what’s next. Now I’m back to what I did before photography; I’m acting, writing, producing, singing even. I walked in fashion shows during NYFW. My journey hasn’t been one I could’ve predicted but I have no plans on slowing down and no plans on staying in a box.
Has it been a smooth road?
The journey to achievement is riddled with headaches but I think if it were easy and effortless, it wouldn’t be revered or coveted. There were times when I wasn’t getting paid when I didn’t have money to pay my bills but I was shooting a spread for a magazine or a campaign for a designer. So many humbling stories. My advice on that subject is to play smart, understand that not all moves feel like the right moves but at the end of the day, when you trust your gut, you’ll know you made no mistakes at all.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I love performing, writing, acting – I do everything! I am known for photography but I am so multi-faceted. My photography can be viewed via my website (www.michaelantonio.net) or some on my social media handles. I suppose I would be known for the recording artist I’ve worked with. Working with performers or celebrities is interesting and fun and I get to be creative – so that is what my work is known for. I don’t think anyone shoots like I do and I don’t want to shoot like anyone else either.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
Favorite apps are Sweatcoin, Instagram and Duolingo.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.michaelantonio.net
- Email: info@michaelantonio.net
- Instagram: michaelantonio_now
- Facebook: michaelantoniohunter
- Twitter: mikeantonio
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