Slideshow

Galleries

COMMERCIAL (Work For Hire) : This gallery represents some of the commercial work I've done as a freelance photographer.

COMMERCIAL (Work For Hire)

This gallery represents some of the commercial work I've done as a fre ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2011 7:26pm PST

PORTRAITS : Portraiture Photography

PORTRAITS

Portraiture Photography

Updated: Nov 11, 2010 7:46am PST

MUSIC : Music Photography

MUSIC

Music Photography

Updated: Oct 02, 2010 4:45pm PST

MATERNITY : Pregnancy and Maternity

MATERNITY

Pregnancy and Maternity

Updated: Oct 04, 2010 7:45am PST

WEDDINGS : Wedding, Party, and Event Photography

WEDDINGS

Wedding, Party, and Event Photography

Updated: Oct 04, 2010 7:56am PST

Wine Country : Images within this gallery were taken in Sonoma Country (Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley) and also Paso Robles. Originally my vineyard portfolio encompassed only the after the harvest view of the vines, leaves, and withered grapes. But as I spent more time within the various wine regions of California I began to include images reflecting the luster and majestic beauty of ripe grapes on the vine. In addition to the travel and landscape photography within the "Vineyard" portfolio I've also started working on a still life wine related photo project.

Wine Country

Images within this gallery were taken in Sonoma Country (Alexander Val ...

Updated: Jan 04, 2012 7:47am PST

Kauai : Travel and Landscape images from the Hawaiian island of Kauai'i

Kauai

Marin County California : Alpine Lake and Samuel P Taylor campground in Marin County

Marin County California

Alpine Lake and Samuel P Taylor campground in Marin County

Updated: Apr 07, 2010 7:48am PST

Alaska : Alaska salmon fishing, Alaskan grizzly bears, bald eagles

Alaska

Alaska salmon fishing, Alaskan grizzly bears, bald eagles

Updated: Jun 16, 2011 1:12pm PST

Trinity Alps and Mendocino County : Recent images from my July 2010 camping trip into the Trinity Alps in Northern California and some images from a drive through Mendocino County.

Trinity Alps and Mendocino County

Recent images from my July 2010 camping trip into the Trinity Alps in ...

Updated: Jul 20, 2010 12:50pm PST

Arizona : Images within this gallery are from my many visits to the state of Arizona to camp, backpack, and photograph.

Arizona

Washington DC : These images were taken during a recent trip through Washington DC and Virginia.

Washington DC

These images were taken during a recent trip through Washington DC and ...

Updated: Apr 16, 2009 8:07am PST

Two Guns Ghost Town : Two Guns ghost town, Arizona, 2006 When I first pulled off the highway I was planning on heading out to Canyon Diablo. But since Two Guns was just off the highway, and didn't require 20 miles of driving on a dirt, rock strewn, pot hole infested track, one not suited for a rental 4-cylinder car, I decided Two Guns was a better option. The shoot started out plainly with the gray clouds sucking out the life in the rocks and buildings. But sometime are 3:30 on a November afternoon the sun dipped below the gray clouds and poured liquid gold light onto the remains of this town for 15 minutes. Not knowing how long the light would last I worked quick to reshoot what I had previously shot with gray diffused light. The end result is presented here.

Two Guns Ghost Town

Two Guns ghost town, Arizona, 2006 When I first pulled off the high ...

Updated: May 12, 2008 8:34am PST

Yosetmite : These images are from an August 2010 three night backpacking trip within Yosemite from Tuolumne meadows to Glen Aulin High Sierra backpackers campground and a 2011 camping trip to the Yosemite Valley at the Upper Pines campground. BACKPACKING TRIP 2010 (Images 1-51): Backpacking in Yosemite without getting lucky to obtain a permit months in advance through the faxing lottery method requires an early morning visit to the Wilderness Permit Station. Luckily Yosemite holds 40% of the daily backpacking permits for walk-ins so there's always a good chance of getting a permit as long as you don't mind waiting in the freezing cold. On Sunday morning we left our campground outside Yosemite at 4:30AM and got in line at the Wilderness Permit Station at 5AM. When we arrived we were already the 6th person in line; first person there was in line at 11PM the night before and the father and son in front of us got in line at 4AM. Also, the temps at 5AM were around 32 degrees, which according to the ranger at 7:30AM (when the station opens) was the coldest morning they'd had this summer. Luckily for us our long wait in the cold netted us 4 of the daily 14 permits to Glen Aulin and we were set for a Monday start. The trail head for Glen Aulin sits at an elevation of around 8,600ft and ends at the campground which is 7,850ft. Hiking mileage to Glen Aulin is 5.8 miles one-way and took us 3 hours each way. The trail is relatively flat with minimal decent until about a mile away from Glen Aulin. After crossing the footbride that crosses the white cascades of the Tuolumne River the trail changes from dirt and flat rock to cobblestone rock and a 500ft decent into the campground. This part of the trail is a bit brutal on the knees and ankles. The backpackers camp of Glen Aulin is broken into two camps. The lower camp has sites 1-10 and the upper camp has sites 11-30. There is piped water (lower camp only), community fire rig (lower and upper), solar composting outhouse (lower camp only), and only two bear boxes (lower camp only) for all 30 sites. And in my opinion, two bear boxes are definitely not enough for 30 sites. Also, for those who wear contacts, like me, the High Sierra tent camp has a shower and sink with mirror, which is greatly appreciated in the morning when needing to put in my contacts. High Sierra tent camp also has a restaurant (reservations required) but no beer and wine like the Beer Hall in the Grand Canyon at Phantom Ranch. While staying at Glen Aulin high sierra backpackers campground (site # 7) we experienced 3 black bear encounters (same momma bear - bear tag # 60) within our first 13 hours at the campground (5PM, 6:30PM, and 3AM). While at Glen Aulin we day hiked to WaterWheel, which is 3.3 miles one way, and McGee Lake, which is 0.8 one way; no fish in McGee Lake, but the water is warm and good for swimming. We also hiked along the Tuolumne River checking out various swimming and fishing holes. Water is cold for swimming but tolerable, especially when you haven't had a shower in a couple days. There are many fishing spots along the trail from Glen Aulin to WaterWheel. I fished using mainly two flies (a hopper and a wholly bugger pattern) using a spinning rod with removable dropshot. Fishing this method, I caught numerous brook and rainbows ranging from 5"-8", which is a normal size for this area. Also fished the Tuolumne Falls at Glen Aulin high sierra tent camp, which produced the same size fish. After hiking out of Glen Aulin we spent the night in the Yosemite Valley at Curry Village in a tent cabin. While in Tuolumne Meadows we stopped and swam and fished at Tanaya Lake. Water was warmer than the river. Fishing the lake, best spot was across the lake away from people. At Lake Tanaya, I caught a 12" brook trout fishing a fly (orange/yellow bead head wholly bugger) using a spinning reel with a 2ft leader. UPPER PINES CAMPGROUND (YOSEMITE VALLEY) Images 52-67

Yosetmite

These images are from an August 2010 three night backpacking trip with ...

Updated: May 11, 2011 7:43am PST

Bodie (Ghost Town) : Visiting Bodie is all about three things - tourists, chicken wire, and Master locks. Great time paying $24 ($7 per adult and $5 per kid) just to wander around locked up old buildings. All photo's in this gallery representing an interior shot were all taken with my tripod leaning against the chicken wire.

Bodie (Ghost Town)

Visiting Bodie is all about three things - tourists, chicken wire, and ...

Updated: Sep 10, 2010 8:08am PST

Sand Dunes : Landscape and abstract photographs from the death valley sand dunes and Point Reyes sand dunes.

Sand Dunes

Landscape and abstract photographs from the death valley sand dunes an ...

Updated: Feb 18, 2010 7:39am PST

Grand Canyon : Images from trips to and into the Grand Canyon from the south rim.

Grand Canyon

Images from trips to and into the Grand Canyon from the south rim.

Updated: Dec 04, 2009 7:45am PST

JOSHUA TREE : Images taken within the Joshua Tree National Park.

JOSHUA TREE

Images taken within the Joshua Tree National Park.

Updated: Mar 03, 2009 12:50pm PST

Malibu Pier : Malibu Pier at midnight

Malibu Pier

Malibu Pier at midnight

Updated: Apr 24, 2006 8:39am PST

POOL TABLE (series) : My "Pool Table" series was photographed in 2004. Prints for this series are only being sold direct from me.

POOL TABLE (series)

My "Pool Table" series was photographed in 2004. Prints for this seri ...

Updated: Jun 15, 2010 7:44am PST

Abandoned (series) : As I travel around I come across many interesting and forgotten things. These are only a few of those things.

Abandoned (series)

As I travel around I come across many interesting and forgotten things ...

Updated: Oct 24, 2012 7:51am PST

POLAROID & HOLGA PORTFOLIO : I have a love for old camera's and camera's that give me an imperfect look without having to rely on digital manipulation. Two of my favorite cameras are my Holga and my Polaroid Land 330. Neither of which I'm rarely without when I hit the road. This gallery contains a variety of my Holga and Polaroid collection with many more still yet unscanned. Most of these images remain unfinished but there are some that I have spent considerable time finishing in photoshop and those are available for printing and licensing directly through me.

POLAROID & HOLGA PORTFOLIO

I have a love for old camera's and camera's that give me an imperfect ...

Updated: Jan 13, 2011 7:55am PST

Swimming Pool (series) : This project came about after months of looking out my apartment living room window at my swimming pool thinking there had to be something there to photograph. Several photos later I finally found my direction and presentation for this project. These images represent that vision: "a psych ward pool."

Swimming Pool (series)

This project came about after months of looking out my apartment livin ...

Updated: Jan 09, 2009 8:28am PST

Animals : Photographs of the various animals I've encountered along my many excursions.

Animals

Photographs of the various animals I've encountered along my many excu ...

Updated: Jul 25, 2011 7:53am PST

GREAT WHITE SHARK : The images within this gallery were taken while on a 5-day live board shark diving trip out of San Diego to Isla Guadelupe off the coast of Mexico. Enduring the 22 hour boat ride to and from the island, and operational failure to both of my camera's were not my favorite parts of the trip. However, spending 3 days cage diving with these enormous apex predators was a life goal realized.

GREAT WHITE SHARK

The images within this gallery were taken while on a 5-day live board ...

Updated: Nov 18, 2010 7:58am PST

My Smug Mug :

My Smug Mug

Updated: Nov 10, 2010 7:21pm PST

Melrose (shot from the Hip) : Earlier in 2009 I started walking around Melrose Ave. in Hollywood photographing what I see, or what my camera sees, from the hip. Only a couple images are actually shot from a normal camera position (camera to my eye).

Melrose (shot from the Hip)

Earlier in 2009 I started walking around Melrose Ave. in Hollywood pho ...

Updated: Dec 02, 2011 7:45am PST

CALIFORNIA MISSIONS : I started my Catholic symbols photo project in Arizona in early November 2005 with a single photo - an iron gate with a cross - at San Xavier del Bac. However, the original photograph turned out too blurry. Two weeks later I returned to Arizona to backpack the grand canyon but also to return to San Xavier del Bac to photograph the gate properly with a tripod. From that one photograph I haven't stopped photographing various catholic symbols within and around the missions in Arizona and the 21 California missions. As of June 2008 only one mission in California has yet to be visited and photographed - Santa Cruz. My goal is to complete the primary photography for this project by July 2008. After completion of the primary photography I will begin the process of selecting images for two yet to be named photo books.

CALIFORNIA MISSIONS

I started my Catholic symbols photo project in Arizona in early Novemb ...

Updated: Jan 09, 2012 7:41am PST

Sunrise / Sunset : Photographs taken during sunrise and sunset from Arizona, California deserts, on a shark boat in the Pacific Ocean, and anywhere along the way.

Sunrise / Sunset

Photographs taken during sunrise and sunset from Arizona, California d ...

Updated: Feb 02, 2011 8:45pm PST

Leaves and Flowers :

Leaves and Flowers

Updated: Dec 06, 2012 9:37pm PST

Saguaro cactus : Saguaro cactus, Arizona, 2006

Saguaro cactus

Saguaro cactus, Arizona, 2006

Updated: Nov 29, 2011 7:45am PST

STILL LIFE :

STILL LIFE

Updated: Aug 03, 2011 7:57am PST

SPORTS : Sports Photography

SPORTS

Sports Photography

Updated: Nov 11, 2010 7:49am PST

Select Stock Images :

Select Stock Images

Updated: Nov 15, 2010 7:48am PST

Archery Range : A photo project related to the archery range I shoot at.

Archery Range

A photo project related to the archery range I shoot at.

Updated: Feb 15, 2011 6:32pm PST

password protected gallery

Mirman Soccer

Updated: Feb 22, 2013 7:42am PST

BLACK AND WHITE : This is a selection of black and white imagery I've photographed over the years.

BLACK AND WHITE

This is a selection of black and white imagery I've photographed over ...

Updated: Feb 02, 2012 7:48am PST

ARTWORK : This is the artwork of late Foster Pineo (aka Fiore Pazzo), which I photographed this year. His mixed media artwork contains powerful influences of WWII battle experience, travels in the South Seas, American farm life, the San Francisco Beatnik scene, women, and animals are recurrent themes here, sometimes dark and sometimes whimsical.

ARTWORK

This is the artwork of late Foster Pineo (aka Fiore Pazzo), which I ph ...

Updated: Dec 22, 2011 7:37am PST

Your Bio

I'M A FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER OF ALL THAT LIFE HAS TO OFFER.

Visit my bookstore to see my latest art book:

The Artwork of Fiore Pazzo by Mike Cavanaugh |



My photographic journey began over a decade ago after receiving my father’s old 35mm Canon AE1, but the photographic light bulb didn’t go off until 2001 when I went to Japan. Before 2001, from my early 20’s to early 30’s, traveling to places like Tahiti, Belize, Australia, Mexico, Hawaii, and the Grand Canyon, I was lucky to get my film back with a couple descent 4x6 prints. And after each trip I wondered why my pictures weren’t as good as the ones I was seeing in the travel magazines or National Geographic’s.

In 2001, finally fed up with my travel photographs poor results I decided the time had come to buy a professional 35mm camera. So before leaving Los Angeles for Japan, I purchased a 35mm Canon EOS3 with a Tamron 28-200mm lens, and from that moment I noticed a remarkable improvement in my photographs. However, after spending a few years using my 35mm Canon EOS3, and still not completely satisfied with my image results, I realized the right equipment was only going to get me so far. In order for me to progress and succeed as a photographer I needed technical knowledge.

My photographic education began with a color photography class at an adult annex of Santa Monica College. After just one class, I realized how much I not only love, but at times am addicted to photography. From there I enrolled in the photography program at SMC and spent the next few years progressing through all the available evening photo classes such as BW printing, color printing, commercial, portrait, flash, and photoshop. Even today as a professional freelance photographer I continue my pursuit for new information and inspiration available.

MY WORK
I have more than 300 publishing credits encompassing a variety of subject matter ranging from landscape, travel, music, commercial product, and artistic nudes. Because my life is not one dimensional, my professional photography services exemplify my ability to thrive and adapt within a variety of subject matter and changing environments. As a result I offer professional photography service related to (but not limited to) weddings, events, portraiture, commercial product (print or web based), fashion, glamour, modeling, music, travel, and hired projects. My personal photography involves many different projects with subject matter ranging from landscapes, travel, nature, architecture, portraiture, music, fine art, and artistic nudes.

MY CLIENTS
From my first published photo in 2005 my publishing credits and client list has continued to grow including the likes of All Access Magazine, Music Connection, Strutter Magazine, Combat In Effect, the State of Alaska's official tourist website ( http://www.travelalaska.com), Arizona Office of Tourism, WildAid (NGO), San Gabriel Press, Pasadena Star News, Whittier Daily News, Zulu Tattoo, Faith and Form Magazine, Sfarzo guitar strings, Peerless Guitars, Mills Acoustic, CoolMusic Inc., Karenz Cakes, the Hemophilia Foundation of Southern California, the Law Office of Mark J.Muffaletto, Vapornation, and Dan Horan Racing.

EQUIPMENT:
My camera medium is as varied as my subject matter with my decision to use a certain camera depending primarily on my vision for the final print. I’ve been a Canon shooter since I first started and remain so today using the Canon 5D as my primary camera and a Canon 20D serving as a back-up. I also use with frequent regularity the 35mm Canon EOS3, a Hasselblad 500 c/m and a Holga for medium format, a Shin Hao for large format, and a Polaroid Land 330 for many personal fine art images.

GALLERY HISTORY:

2011 – Pancakes and Booze Art Show; Los Angeles; (3) prints from the “Morning
2010 – Pancakes and Booze Art Show; Los Angeles; (4) prints from the “Abandoned” series and the print “7 with a Bullet”
2009 - ARTundressed; Wyndwood Social Club, Miami; print “In the Wind.”
2009 - World Erotic Art Museum, Miami; print “In the Wind.”
2009 – Miami Event Space, Miami; print “In the Wind.”
2009 – Damiem B. Gallery, Miami; print “In the Wind.”
2009 – The New Lounge, Miami; print “In the Wind.”
2009 – Michael Perez Art Gallery, Miami; print “In the Wind.”
2009 - ARTundressed; BOXeight Studios, Los Angeles; print “In the Wind.”.
2009 - ARTundressed; California Modern Art Gallery, San Francisco; print “In the Wind.”
2009 – Musee Juste Pour Rire (Ste.Catherine Boulevard), Montreal, Canada; print “In the Wind.”
2009 – beate Uhse, Erotic Art Museum; Berlin, Germany; print “In the Wind.”
2008 - Infusion Gallery; Los Angeles; four prints from the nude series “Morning Dream.”
2008 - Spring Arts Collective Gallery; Los Angeles; five prints from the landscape series “Limbs of Wisdom.”
2007 - Kopeikan Gallery; Los Angeles; print “View of the Sound.”
2006 - LaFoto Gallery; Santa Monica; print “Fiddle.”
2005 - Santa Monica College Photo Gallery; Santa Monica; print “Who Is She?”

AWARDS:
2011 – Calumet Photo – Photo of the Week – 1/31/11
2009 received Finalist Award from Erotic Signature for landscape nude “In the Wind.” Image published in the fine art book entitled “World’s Greatest Erotic Art of Today – vol# 3.”
2007 received Finalist Award from Photographer’s Forum Magazine for “Malibu Pier at Midnight” and “Great White Shark Feeding.” Images published in the 2007 Photographer's Forum Magazine Annual.

CURRENT PROJECTS:
• "Catholic Symbols" - a symbolic photo project involving the 21 California Missions.
• A spiritual inspirational photo book (currently untitled) encompassing both my landscape and catholic symbols photography.
• A road trip photo book (currently untitled) encompassing my landscape and travel photography.
• “Abandoned” – a photo series related to discarded items left behind.
• Continuation of my fine art landscape nudes.
• A manuscript entitled "A Childless Man's Adventures in Parenting." This manuscript is complete and I’m currently seeking representation and publishing. The second book in the series is currently being written.

OTHER PLACES MY WORK CAN BE SEEN:

http://www.blurb.com

ARTSLANT – Los Angeles
http://www.artslant.com/global/artists/show/23535-mike-cavanaugh

SAATCHI ONLINE
http://www.saatchionline.com/mcav69

All Access Magazine (bi-monthly CD review blog - "Search for the Hidden Gem")
http://www.allaccessmagazine.com