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