Michael Schmelling takes photos that are so raw, honest and exposed, it's the photographic equivalent of open heart surgery: everything is left bare out on the table.
From behind his lens, Schmelling has a remarkable ability of bringing his subject's wonderful weirdness to the forefront. His portraits reveal something that might not be immediately apparent, which makes going through them feel like a special, intimate, nearly voyeuristic experience. Ultimately, Schmelling's music editorials illuminate something important about each individual, almost as if saying, "Here I am, warts and all."
Whether it's a red-eyed Earl Sweatshirt grinning as someone holds a switchblade worryingly close to his face, or an up-close-and-personal shot of R.Stevie.Moore, Schmelling's photographs are instantly recognizable.
Intimate Musician Photography
Michael Schmelling Takes Intimate Portraits of Musicians
Trend Themes
1. Intimate Musician Portraiture - There is an opportunity to create an intimate and unique photography niche within the music industry which showcases the true personalities of musicians through raw and honest portraits.
2. Raw and Emotional Photography - There is a trend towards raw, honest and exposed photography that captures the raw emotions of its subjects, rather than traditional posed shots.
3. Visual Storytelling - There is a trend towards photography that tells a story of an individual or group through visual cues and symbolism.
Industry Implications
1. Music - Musicians require unique and personalized promotional materials that showcase their true personalities, which creates an opportunity for intimate music portraiture.
2. Fine Art Photography - There is a trend towards fine art photography that captures raw and emotional subjects, creating an opportunity for photographers to specialize in emotive portraiture.
3. Fashion - Intimate portraiture can be a valuable asset in the fashion industry as it captures the essence of a subject, creating advertising that speaks directly to a targeted demographic.