Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Trapp.
Hi Michael, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m from Richmond, Virginia. God has blessed me with many talents at a very young age, including drawing, music, photoshop, photography, and video. I started shooting back in 2015 but I learned Adobe Photoshop and illustrator back in 2012, my freshman year of high school. At the time, I didn’t choose the class, I ended up getting placed in it. I wasn’t sure what to expect from it at the time. I had this teacher and she was so hard on me at the time, but because she saw potential in me that I didn’t even know I had. Along with that, I took drawing classes, art, metal, woods & CAD. I was first inspired to start shooting back in 2015 my cousin Deandre Taylor. He would always have his camera on him and sometimes just put it in my hand. At the time, I had no idea about a camera, I used to go home and study YouTube videos everyday. In the end, it felt like it was destined for me. I went home & asked my mom to help me buy one, but she wasn’t taking me seriously, so I went out and bought a Canon T5. Every day until I was able to charge people, I took photos of landscapes, friends, or just other people around me. All of this while being in band, school, sports, and working. After I graduated Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL, offered me a $12,000 band scholarship, so I ended up going there. While I was attending my first year, I was really busy with school and on the road with band, but I continued to shoot. I spent the majority of my time alone. I’d be in the room all the time, working on Premiere, AE & Lightroom to get the look I wanted. The school’s media department was interested in me throughout my first year, but I wasn’t interested at the time because I still didn’t know what I wanted to pursue. That summer, I returned home that summer & decided I wanted to take everything to the next level. I was out shooting an artist in the fall when I came into this guy named Chris Bell. Since then, he has told me to stay in touch. So that’s what I did. He provided me the opportunity to photograph the football team in the spring at the time, but I took the time to photograph other sports such as golf, tennis, softball, and baseball on my own. I realized that while shooting something in each sport, there is always a new approach to shoot it. It had been an eye-opening experience. As well as my bro Chris AKA (PAINTHACITY) who would take the time out & show me different ways to approach the editing & directing aspect.
Rest In Peace to him #LongLivePaint
2021 I was just getting my feet wet, this year I know what I want.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing ever goes smoothly therefore I wouldn’t call it a smooth road. I’d say there are days when you hit stumbling blocks, but it’s all about how you stay down and get back up. Some of the difficulties I had stemmed from the fact that I was homeless at the time, traveling from house to house, unsure of where I would go or what I would eat. I just knew I was sick of doing what everyone else wanted me to do and live my life the way I was. I just never gave up and remained firm in what I believed and wanted to do, ignoring the opinions of others who did not share my vision, which included friends and family.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an upcoming cinematographer and director. Cinematography, photography, visual effects, and graphics are my areas of expertise. I’m most proud of my work’s progress and how it improves with time. My ability to produce high-quality work.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Just because it worked for you doesn’t mean it will work the same way for others. Everyone’s trip and method are unique. Simply stay in your lane, find your niche, work hard, and don’t give up.
Contact Info:
- Email: Trapptheshooter@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/trapptheshooter?utm_medium=copy_link
Image Credits
Christmas Morton, Tavar Adkins, HEMP G, Darnez Stovall, Adonis
