About Michael

I’m a long-time Olympus photographer, dating back to ancient times when film ruled the Earth! I switched to digital full-time when the Olympus E-10 came out and never looked back!

I specialize in concert, theater and event photography. I like this kind of photography because I enjoy the challenge of capturing the moment while dealing with variable lighting conditions and rapid movement.

I shoot part-time for a network of hyper-local news sites operated by South King Media which include the B-Town Blog and Waterland Blog among others.

I am a professional member of the Seattle chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP).

In my spare time, I teach several photography classes for Burien Parks & Recreation.

The Gear

In 2013, I began working with a new breed of micro-4/3rd mirrorless cameras and have all but abandoned full size dSLRs at this point.

My primary stills cameras are Olympus OM-D E-M1s with HDL-7 battery grips. My secondary body is an Olympus PEN-F.

In 2014 I began to experiment with video using a Panasonic DMC-G6 body. I added a Panasonic DMC-G7 in early 2016 and use both Pansonic cameras equipped with either a RØDE VideoMic Pro for documentary work or a RØDE Stereo VideoMic Pro for concert footage.

My goto lenses that see frequent use include: the M.Zuiko ED 7-14mm f2.8 PRO, the M.Zuiko ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO, the M.Zuiko 12mm f2.0, and the M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO. I also use a MC-14 1.4x teleconverter when I need extra reach out of the big zoom.

One of the things I love about the micro-4/3rd standard is that any of these lenses will work on either my Olympus or Panasonic camera bodies!

When I’m shooting on the move I use a BlackRapid Yeti shoulder strap that allows me to carry one or two cameras. I use quick-release Fusion Plates from FPGear to connect my cameras to my shoulder strap or tripod. These plates provide a connector for the strap and work with an Arca-Swiss style tripod head. I also use wrist straps from Gordy’s Camera Straps on my cameras.

When I need to support a camera while shooting stills or video I turn to either a MeFOTO RoadTrip tripod or a VariZoom Chickenfoot carbon-fiber monopod.

When it comes to storing and carrying my camera gear, I have a bit of a camera bag fetish. I’ve never met a camera bag I didn’t want! Depending on the event I will shift gear from bag to bag but my daily carry bag lately has been a Tamrac Evolution Messenger 4 with add-on pouches.

The Tamrac bag allows me to carry two camera bodies, my three main lenses, an Olympus FL-50R flash and assorted odds and ends, along with space for my 9-inch iPad Pro or my MacBook Air.

Portrait by Justin Suyama