Artist Spotlight: Michael Spencer

Michael D. Spencer, is a freelance photographer based in Somerville, MA, specializing in music documentary projects and album art, editorial assignments and studio portraiture. He is the recipient of the Massachusetts Cultural Council & Somerville Arts Council's 2013 Cultural Heritage Fellowship. Michael works closely with local social advocacy and non-profit organizations to advance their grassroots efforts. He also creates exhibitions and hosts fundraisers at his studio and gallery near Somerville's Union Square. Recent projects include a documentary series titled, "Homes for Hope," produced in partnership with the Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance.

How did you become interested in photography? Was it something you grew up with?

MS: As is the case in a lot of families, I had an adoring aunt who was constantly taking Polaroids -- capturing holiday gatherings, vacations, and birthdays, and to be honest, it kind of annoyed me as a kid. Little did I know then what sort of weight her images would carry a few decades later for my family. As time moves forward and generations pass on, Aunt Mary's images now provide an amazing visual documentation of the people, places and things that make up the fabric of our family's story, and we're fortunate to have them.

I didn't connect with photography myself until late in high school, and even that was casual at best. I was the kid who had five art classes senior year and became photo editor for the year book -- not because I was necessarily qualified for the role, but more so because I never left the art room. After that, it fell off as a hobby for years and then it wasn't until my mid-thirties that it resurfaced with a vengeance after a career change. Since moving to Somerville in 2006, I've had the honor of calling many talented musicians and artists friends, and it was seeing them live their passions full time that gave me the inspiration to leave a 12 year corporate career and pursue my own path as a photographer. That was 8 years ago and it's been a great ride so far.

What first drew you to photographing people? How do you make the clients feel relaxed in front of your camera?

MS: Photographing people is difficult to do well; I enjoy that challenge. Whether I'm backstage with a band, in a boardroom with an executive, or walking backwards looking out at thousands of protesters in the street, the impetus is the same. Regardless of circumstances, as photographers we need to capture the best images possible of those people in those places at that time, and I work well under that type of pressure.

Formal photo shoots are often high stress events for people and photographers. For every seasoned lead singer or CEO that loves the camera, there are two others who would rather be doing anything else that day. For those people, it's important to provide direction and not leave them feeling awkward or unsure. I try to remove pressure and expectation from them and put it all on myself. I don't enjoy being the subject either, so I empathize.

Recently, you started a documentary series called “Home for Hope”. How did you get involved with the Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance (MHSA)?

MS: I had been searching for the right organization to start a long term documentary project with for a couple of years up until I was introduced to MHSA by a couple of good friends in 2016. My goal was to develop a series that dealt with a serious local issue, such as homelessness, but to approach it in a positive manner with a focus on the depth of human experience, rather than exploiting the desperation of the circumstances that we so commonly see in imagery. MHSA advocates for the transition from short term emergency based systems to longer term solutions as a means for ending homelessness. For example, the "Housing First" philosophy prioritizes moving people back into housing and providing access to appropriate supportive services, rather than leaving people to live on the street while extending minimum, short term aid. I'm drawn to organizations that take a larger picture into consideration, especially when it comes to facilitating real change in the lives of real people.

When I met with Joe Finn, President & Executive Director of MHSA and his fantastic team, we hit it off right away and decided to give it a go. The goal was to create a two-part series: a photo documentary of people in the homes provided to them through MHSA programs, and a second photo series conducted at my studio for a more formal portrait session. It's been a fantastic experience being invited into people's homes, listening to their stories, and being allowed to photograph them in their spaces. We then invited each person along with their case workers to my studio where we took the context of a physical home out of the images, and aimed to capture the individual in their essence. If I capture even a portion of the pride that exudes from my new friends as to what having a home has meant for their journeys, then I consider this project a success. I really love how these images have turned out so far, and I look forward to working with MHSA on an ongoing basis, meeting more amazing people, and helping to share their stories with the world.

The exhibition will be launched publicly at MHSA's upcoming annual meeting in Boston on May 17th at the MHSA and take a look at the excellent work they're involved in here in Massachusetts.

What are some tips/advice you would give to someone just starting out in photography?

MS: Worry more about your craft than your equipment. You can always buy the Hasselblad when you start booking the 5-figure commercial gigs down the road. Until then, keep yourself in control of finances and equipment upgrades, and focus on developing your skills and your voice as a photographer first. It's an ultra competitive market out there, and rising to the top will have much less to do with what's in your bag than what's in your head.

Do you have any openings or special event coming up?

• Somerville Open Studios - May 4-6 at Studio 29r in Somerville (next to Aeronaut Brewery)
• "Homes for Hope" Exhibition - May 17 at Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance Annual Meeting

Kat Kiernan: Meet Panopticon Gallery's new Director

A great big welcome to Kat Kiernan! Kat is not only our amazing new gallery director, but she is also to Editor-in-Chief of Don't Take Pictures, a bi-annual publication that discusses modern photography as well as featuring talented artists. In 2015, Kat received the Griffin Museum of Photography's Rising Star award and was named one of Photoboite Agency's 30 women photographers under 30 to watch in 2012. Kat has exhibited across the country and is a widely published writer. She has a BFA in photography from Lesley University College of Art and Design (formerly the Art Institute of Boston).

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You work in many aspects of the art world as the Director of Panopticon Gallery, Editor-in-Chief of Don’t Take Pictures, and as a photographer. How did you become interested in photography, curating, and writing?

Although I haven’t spent a lot of time putting my own work out into the world, everything that I do as a writer and curator stems from my own experiences as a photographer. I published my first article in a national magazine during my senior year of college to accompany my documentary photographs of people who live aboard their boats year-round in Boston. I thought that the magazine would be far more likely to publish my photographs if they were accompanied with an article, so I wrote it myself.

I began curating straight out of art school when I opened The Kiernan Gallery as a venue for photographers who, like me, were just starting to exhibit their work. I later expanded the space to curate solo exhibitions, off-site pop-ups, and other art events.  Don’t Take Pictures evolved from The Kiernan Gallery just before I closed the gallery and moved to New York City. Initially, I wanted to produce an annual that would highlight the best of what we exhibited that year, but I was planning to relocate and wanted to publish something bigger and which was not tied to a specific place.

Now, as the Director of Panopticon, I am incorporating some of what I learned in New York and some of what I learned at The Kiernan Gallery into a more traditional model of representing a small group of photographs while taking a less-traditional approach to engaging with collectors. As a photographer myself, every decision I make in the gallery is based on what I would want and expect from a gallery that represents me.

 

Do you have a favorite non-photographic hobby?

I am not really a hobby kind of person. If I am interested in something, I tend to dive in 100% and turn it into something more. However, for a large portion of my life boating was my hobby and I still jump at the chance to crew a boat whenever I can.

What is one of your favorite exhibitions that you have seen?

I recently saw the Louis Vuitton “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez” exhibition at the American Stock Exchange in New York City. Without question, it is one of the best examples of exhibition design that I have ever seen. Each room felt like stepping onto a film set. This shouldn’t have been a surprise, considering that Louis Vuitton has one of the best visuals teams in the world. I am not as well-versed in fashion as I am in other arts, and the immersiveness of each room taught me a lot about the impact of high fashion on the last hundred years of our culture.

 

Who are your influences in photography, curating, and writing?

Two of the many photographers who have influenced me are Francesca Woodman for her intuitive experimentation with self-portraiture, and Arno Minnkkinen for his dedication to a life-long body of work and for the wonderful mentorship that he has given me. I am also influenced by the photographers that I have the privilege of publishing and exhibiting.

I am also influenced by Alfred Steiglez, a renaissance man who had great vision as a photographer, as the publisher of the first photography journal Camera Work, and a curator of the gallery space 291.

Vicki Goldberg is probably my biggest influence as a writer. Her writing is insightful, original, and covers a range of topics within the photographic medium. It is also very accessible as it is written for everyone, not just the academics.

What is your advice for those who want to start their own publication?

Always hold yourself accountable. A publisher must be accountable to the artists that they publish by making sure that their work is well represented (good quality reproductions, accurate information, correct and well-placed quotes). A publisher must be accountable to their writers by editing with rigor and compassion, and defending them when needed. Most importantly, a publisher must be accountable to the readers to produce the best publication possible.

A lot of magazines start out with ambitious publication schedules and, for various reasons, cannot hold to them. I publish in print twice per year and online about four times per week. As organized as I am, there have been more than a few all-nighters for the next day’s content. Writers and artists will miss deadlines, advertisers won’t pay invoices, and printers will lose proofs. None of your readers should know about any of this, and none should be expected to care. Readers care that their magazine arrives in their mailbox on time with inspiring images and insightful prose. If that doesn’t happen, your reputation as the publisher will suffer. There is no passing the buck, there is only high standards, problem-solving, and accountability.

Where is Rockland?

Why Rockland? We reached maximum capacity at our location in Hingham and desperately needed to expand. Rockland had the perfect building for us at the perfect price. We renovated an older building so we could make room for all of our darkrooms & printing rooms and expand our services. Renovations took about 8 months but it was worth it! We moved from Hingham to Rockland in the spring of 2013 and couldn't be happier.

So where is Rockland?

It is just 22 miles south of Boston! You can get to us via Route 3. We have full directions on our website. We also offer weekly deliveries into Boston. Don't worry if you can't make it to us. If we can't deliver it to you, you can upload files directly thru our website and we can ship everything back to you!

What kind of town is Rockland?

Rockland is a small town just south of Boston and was recently (2013) listed as one of the top ten places to live by the Boston Globe. Rockland also has two old factory buildings that have been converted into Artist space. One is the E.T. Wright Building a former shoe factory and the second The Sandpaper Factory. Not to mention it is home to Paul's favorite place to eat Bella's Italian Restaurant. He recommends #35 on the wine list, it is a nice Chianti. Rockland Rocks!