Michael Muller is best known for his work as a celebrity and advertising photographer, capturing esteemed actors, musicians, artists, and activists such as Joaquin Phoenix, Robert Downey Jr., Shepard Fairey, and Hugh Jackman. His photographs grace magazines, movie posters, and album covers.
Muller’s journey in photography began with snowboarders and musicians, eventually transitioning to models when he moved to Los Angeles. Despite doing test shots for six models a day, he dedicated equal effort to each one. “I treated each one like it was the cover of Vogue,” Muller explained. As his work gained recognition, his clientele became more well-known.
“I don’t change my attitude because someone is famous. I respect their talent, but I treat them as real people. We all breathe the same air and share the same sun, so let’s work together to create a great iconic picture,” Muller said. His approach ensures that his images have a dramatic impact, with clients surrendering themselves to his craft and allowing him to lead.
Like many other portrait photography masters, Muller traveled around the world as a child. This perhaps explains his drive to spend as much time outdoors as possible when he isn’t in the studio. In addition to working with giant personalities, he photographs giant sharks in his spare time. Muller was so passionate about photographing sharks that he designed, developed, and patented his own underwater lighting system.
Muller’s unique subject matter serves a second purpose: changing people’s attitudes towards sharks. He wants people to respect these great mammals without letting fear lead to hunting and killing them. Muller has documented shark finning to raise awareness of the predicament sharks face.
Michael Muller shares another quality often found in master portrait photographers: compassion towards humanity. He has taught photography to children suffering from serious illnesses and worked with the United Nations and the Nothing But Nets campaign to raise awareness and funds to fight malaria. His portraits are high-contrast, punchy, and modern, yet subtle and authentic.
