Daily Inspiration: Meet Michael Keyes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Keyes. 

Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My interest in photography developed in high school, mostly by coincidence. I took a photography class to fulfill one credit I needed to graduate. I don’t think I knew it at the time, but I was hooked from the beginning. Throughout the class, I become more curious how cameras, lenses, and all the other tools used by photographers in their artistic medium worked. At the time, I was on a path to go to college for civil engineering, so once we graduated, I had to sink most of my time and creative efforts into starting college. I was still making time to take photos in what little free time I had, but not nearly as much as I wanted to since I was also juggling college, and my part-time job. 

I went on to study engineering for two years and started taking small photo jobs in my free time. This is also when I began working with my close friend Alex Davisson to develop Morning Studios, our first shot at a photography business. After those very long two years, I decided I should follow my true interests and take a shot at making photography my career. 

I began my first classes as a general art major with a concentration in photography at Vincennes University. This is where I learned more about the art of photography and how to work my way around a darkroom. By the time I finished my associate’s degree at VU, Alex had registered Morning Studios as an LLC and was working as a full-time photographer, and I was assisting him and another videographer in town as the main source of my income. 

After another summer, I decided to move to Indianapolis with my girlfriend, now fiancé, while she continued her degree in illustration. I have used my time in Indianapolis to work at our local camera store, Roberts Camera, and immerse myself further into street and wildlife photography. It’s strange to say I can live in a city and practice wildlife photography, but Indy is home to Eagle Creek Park. With just under 4,000 acres of park to explore and a surprising amount of wildlife for being right next to the city, Eagle Creek is my little outdoor escape from the city. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest obstacle so far was the death of my friend and partner at Morning Studios, Alex, in 2021. He was not only an important figure in my personal life but also one of my biggest influences as an artist. 

Alex and I started our photography journeys around the same time, with him having the head start as a graphic designer. While I was in college, Alex grew Morning Studios into a flourishing photography business in Vincennes. I was so lucky to learn and grow alongside of him as a photographer. 

After Alex’s death, I decided to leave the business as a part of his legacy and not renew the business license he originally set up. After all, the business was his baby and it wouldn’t have grown to the level it did if it weren’t for his dedication, creative mind, and everything else he had to put into the business. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I consider myself a nature photographer, but I have my eggs in multiple baskets as some would say. I also make photographs that fall within street photography and portraiture. My goal as a creative is to document and tell the story of the world, I live in. This includes the parks we spend our time in, the animals we see and don’t see, the city we spend time in, the people we spend time with, and the special moments in our lives – quite literally everything that passes in front of our eyes. I want viewers to look at my photographs and be able to experience memories and provide some with memories they may not have before viewing my work. 

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
One of my favorite childhood memories was the family vacation we took to Zion National Park. It was the first time I had taken a serious interest in taking photographs. My mother had just purchased a new Canon Rebel DSLR and let me borrow her older point-and-shoot camera to use during our visit to the park. It was the first time I was able to freeze a moment of time as a view through my own eyes to show other people. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michaelkeyesphotography.com
• Instagram: @michael.keyes.photography

Image Credits
Michael Keyes