A post about Michael Butterfin

On my previous post I showed you the pictures from my latest photo-shoot with Michael Butterfin + Mallory Matoush. These two talents helped me get ready for my collection’s launch on MUUSE.

I’ve been on a COLLAB frenzy and there is no better feeling that the one you get when you recognize and support a fellow artist whose work you believe in. 

So this post is dedicated to MichaelButterfin.

I found Michael through Model Mayhem, a platform for models, photographers, MUA’s and designers to connect; and hopefully work together. I’ve known about MM for a long time, but never had the courage to sign up and give it a chance. But... you know what they say: “desperate times call for desperate measures”, and since I needed to get some pictures of my clothes ASAP, I recurred to it.

I posted a "casting call" and Michael was the first one to contact me. I'll admit I was a bit skeptical. Nonetheless, I responded to his email. He impressed me with diligence and I decided to go for it. I am so glad I did, as that was the beginning of a great collaboration. Working with Michael was just the best! He convinced his friend Mallory Matoush to model for us (she is so amazing!) and the whole shoot was a smooth ride! He knows what he wants, but also has the great ability to understand other people's visions and to listen. I think together we were able to create something magical that satisfied everyone’s needs for their portfolios. He has a wonderful sense of direction and is passionate about it; but the best part is that he knows exactly how to communicate with the model. Butterfin definitely knows how to capture the beauty and essence of things... whether of our model or my garments, each at their best! 

I asked Michael if he’d be up for a feature on my blog and he was so excited!!!

ENJOY this blurb about the guy behind the lens:

Michael Butterfin was born in Burma.  He spent his childhood in Russia and his teens in a small town in Canada. “My mom traveled a lot for work so I moved around with her growing up.”

The next stop was Bangkok, Thailand, where he attended Art School for Graphic Design.  “Before my final year I met a girl. Things didn’t work out for one reason or another and I just wanted to go away. So a few friends suggested that I travel, and I did. Actually, that’s when started taking proper photos, after I dropped out on my final year. I just couldn't picture myself sitting in front of a computer all day for a living!

I went backpacking for about 3 months. I was in Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Japan. I hiked through some jungles, slept at some hippie bars, and random stuff you wouldn't believe. But that is when I discovered the real beauty in people, places and cultures... Of course, I fell in love and I think that brought out the emotional/creative sense inside of me."

About his interest in FASHION

"I can't really describe how I got into fashion. I've always been so much into art. My mom says that I started drawing before I would write, and that in my childhood I was praised a lot for the crazy stuff I drew... dinosaurs, monsters, and of course, girls (but not in a nasty way or anything, LOL!). . In college I was always hanging out with the designers and models; that probably sparked my interest in capturing fashion and beauty. Plus, I was brought up closely with a single mother and I remember reading her magazines while growing up: Elle, Vogue, etc... Maybe that had some effect too? I dunno.

Before coming to NY Tokyo was my last stop. My mom was there, so I stayed with her for a while.  It’s got its own right of being a fashion capital. There, I would hangout at the fashion areas; admiring the ad campaigns, all those beautiful models on the posters, and billboards. I wanted to create that kind of beauty.”

About coming to NEW YORK:

“The move to NY was random. I didn't know what I was going to do back then. I was a lost 19 year-old kid who thought life was all about partying and girls. The place I really wanted to be was Paris actually. But... somehow life turned things around. When I got here to NY, I thought I'd start out by assisting. I wasn't sure which kind of photography I wanted to do yet, and the first assisting gig I applied for, I got a call from this guy. I went and it was for VOGUE Italia! I was overwhelmed! There were agency girls, Make Up Artists who work for Dolce&Gabbana, and everyone was so nice and creative... I just absolutely fell in love! Shortly after that, I was shooting on my own and here I am :)"

It is funny because before all this, to my close friends, I was this loud, rowdy guy who'd be so far off from being interested in fashion. They still ask what happened, and I'm like... 'Well, spending my day around beautiful models and taking pictures wasn't exactly a bad idea ;)' "

About PHOTOGRAPHY

“My all time idol in the industry would be Guy Bourdin. He's a French photographer from the 80’s and he was shooting every cover of French Vogue for centuries. What I love about him is his interpretation of female beauty is very sexualized, yet in a very creative and artistic way. Many of today's most well know fashion photographers pay homage to Bourdin. Google him. His shots will blow your mind!”

About the FUTURE

“Unlike most guys out there I don't just want to be a photographer. I don't like the term "professional photographer" or "photography". I’m just me and I just want to be me: Michael Butterfin.  I want to be known that way, but of course to be all the way to the top!"

Why COLLABORATE

“I collaborated with you because the moment I saw your work, I was amazed and I had to, had to shoot it! :)"

Make sure to check out his work here!
AND ENJOY some of Michael's favorite pictures from our shoot BELOW!

Thanks AGAIN to model Mallory Matoush for putting up with the cold, and to my assistant Ileana Goveo Balmaseda!

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "moss_formations_dress"
made w. organic/recycled yarns, and hand-dyed w. vegetable and non-toxic dyes
 VOTE for this PIC on VOGUE.IT and maybe we could be PUBLISHED!

MY FAVORITE!!! 
Mallory Matoush is wearing the "root-ed_dress" made w.crocheted organic+recycled yarns (from de-knitted sweaters)and knitted dead-stock yarn.

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "root-ed_dress" made with crocheted organic+recycled yarns and knitted dead-stock yarn.

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "root-ed_2way_shrug" and "moss_formations_skirt"
all made with organic/recycled yarns and hand-dyed with vegetable and non-toxic dyes

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "moss_formations_cutout_tunic"
made w. recycled cotton yarn (from T-shirt production waste )and hand-dyed w. vegetable (coffee +curry) and non-toxic dyes. embellished w. hand-embroidered french knots

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "moss_formations_cutout_tunic"
made w. recycled cotton yarn (from T-shirt production waste )and hand-dyed w. vegetable (coffee +curry) and non-toxic dyes. embellished w. hand-embroidered french knots