The Man Behind The Lens
My photography journey started back in 2005 when I was given the opportunity to join the team of a well-known Stock/Commercial photo studio in New Jersey. At the time, I had just graduated from high school and, needless to say, I had no idea what career path to choose for myself.
I started working as a photography assistant and paid particular attention to how the photographers interacted with models and how they beautifully composed every shot. This was an eye-opener for me because I had always thought that photography was just about pressing the camera shutter. I learned about lighting, composition, and how to accurately arrange the elements in a photo so they, together with the models, tell a story.
Later, I became aware that capturing a great photo would take more than setting up the background and pressing the camera shutter. My former boss, whom I deeply respect, consider a mentor, a friend and whose work I admire, asked me to move to his digital department and learn photoshop. As a result, I quickly learned about the composition of a photograph and became a photoshop expert. We spent countless hours fine tuning images - because good work wasn't good enough, we wanted to create outstanding photos.
By 2008, I had enough photography experience and I decided to create MNPhotoStudios. I started taking photos of family and friends on weekends. Little by little, my audience grew larger and before I knew it, I had a constant flow of customers that were interested in my photography service on a regular basis.
I moved to Chicago in February 2018 with big dreams and aspirations.
My number one goal was to make MNPhotoStudios a full time photography powerhouse. I decided to focus on three main areas: Headshots, Family Portraits and Maternity because I'm passionate about creating meaningful and everlasting photographs that people will treasure and cherish for a long time. I think headshots are very underestimated, they can convey so much about you in an image.
Family portraits and maternity are two subjects that I personally enjoy. My best work has been about capturing unique and authentic moments when a young mother is kissing her baby or a beautiful pregnant woman is looking down and talking to her baby while caressing her belly.
Over the past 15 years, I have built a strong reputation of solid portfolio and I feel it is my duty to never stop learning more about my craft. I take the elements that make compelling commercial and stock photographs and apply them to my portrait work. I invite you to check out the rest of my website and I look forward to working with you to take the best photos of you and your family.
Miguel Narvaez