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.
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!
 |
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 |
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