Meet Michael Morse | Wedding/Elopement Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Morse and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, what role has risk played in your life or career?
If your biggest needs from a carrier is security being an adventure wedding/elopement photographer is not a great path. Every season, month, year I make different amounts of money. My financials are very boom and bust and it’s terrifying and thrilling. At times I feel validated and valued, other times, I feel like a fearful failure, and facing impending doom. Being a wedding photographer is about lifestyle, connection to nature, meaningful experiences, but it has not been about security. There are ups and downs and this carrier has required me to be resourceful, scrappy, and ruthlessly and intentionally optimistic. Bravery has been required, but the experiences continue to exceed my dreams and expectations. I may not die rich, but I will live fully.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For many years felt like an imposter, not like a true artist. I would admire other musicians, painters, and photographers but felt inferrer personally. I have always been a survivor, scrappy, resourceful and tenacious. My supper power has been… wait for it… not giving up. I live with the sense that the bottom can drop out at any point and that I could loose all that I have worked for and this gives me a sense of urgency. I suppose being willing to compromise and be humble are attitudes I have chosen to embrace and are important companions for the journey. Choosing to dream and sell my dreams to clients has been a mutually important component to achieving my business and creative goals. For many years I tried to be what the industry wanted me to be. I tried to live up to others expectations and at times I had to in order to survive. However I have achieved my best clients, destinations, and experiences by being fully my best self. I have had to double down on myself by quitting stable jobs, saying no other opportunities, face criticism from friends and foes alike. The more I have chosen to be myself, lean into my deepest inclinations, and trust myself, this is where the most growth has come from. Im selling my dreams to others and we all end up winning.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Im a nature person and I deeply love facilitating experiences in nature for clients and friends alike. Im a surf rat for certain and endlessly intrigued by rivers, mountains, and seas. I spend a lot of time on the road living and woking out of my van. Colorado and California are the places I send a majority of my time. The Western Slope of Colorado in the fall and Winter in California has such diverse options to enjoy nature. I dig chasing winter swells and snow storms all over the state of California. Yosemite, Tahoe, and San Diego county are the best places to follow the weather. The mountain biking in Colorado and the rivers offer endless adventure. I love taking friends to natural hot springs and sharing beers under the milky way or a campfire far from any city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I worked for Greg Wyatt Photography, Mark Hopkins Photography, True Photography (Aaron Feldman) and shooting hundreds of weddings with and for them. Working for them gave me the ten thousand hours I needed to attain excellence.

My partner Renee for staying with me through the lows and the hard days.

Small acts of kindness: Paul Johnson for the business talks, and Tim Morse for the $300 loan when I needed it.

Website: https://www.mikemorsephotography.com

Instagram: @michaelmorsephotography

Facebook: michaelmorsephotography

Image Credits
Michael Morse