World War II and Hollywood Glamour Photography based in the 1940's, better known as the genre – “pin-up style photography” is uncommon amongst modern portrait photography studios. As much as the images (if done well) are eye catching works of art, it's difficult to answer the question – can pin-up style photography be a viable portrait business today with so few photographers specialising in the genre?
One way to find out was interview the best pin-up photographer I could find.
When searching for the right person to interview for the show, I saw a lot of horrible, badly done photography. Some of what I saw was truly scary. Then I found Michael Malak’s work and knew he was the photographer for the podcast.
His photography not only fits the genre, it looks like it has come right out of the era it represents. What Michael creates can only be described as great art.
Michael is based in California and specialises in 1940s style Hollywood glamour photography and WWII pin-up photographic recreations. His biggest and most influential inspiration is George Hurrell, known as the master of Hollywood glamour. Looking at the work of both photographers, it’s difficult to say one’s better than the other.
Here’s some of what we cover:
What’s on Offer for Premium Members
If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this episode where you can hear lots more content from where we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed hard for that include:
If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interview with Michael Malak get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.
If you’re not willing to hang your work in your house, what makes you believe someone else would be willing to buy your work and want to hang it in their house – Michael Malak
Plus, access to a members only Facebook group where you'll connect with other members (and interview guests) to help, support and motivate you to take what you hear in each episode and put it into action. You will not find cooler, more motivated and caring photographers online.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you’d like to implement or learnt from what was shared? Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.
Being happy with what I’m shooting, I think, it completes me at that point – Michael Malak
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Michael or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.
30 Days of Gorgeous – The Guide
In the last episode, I interviewed Amanda Schulz and we talked about her hugely successful promotion – 30 Days of Gorgeous. What I didn't know at the time of releasing the interview is Amanda has a step by step eBook on how to implement her strategy step by step.
If you can see the potential Amanda’s 30 Days of Gorgeous will have for your business, you are going to love the PDF Guide.
This Guide is available at Amanda’s Easy store for under $12 – and you should definitely buy this if you're a free listener! Premium Members received their copy free last week – thanks to Amanda.
iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs
Each week I check for any new iTunes reviews and it's always a buzz to receive these… for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they really are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!
Secondly, iTunes is the biggest search engine when it comes to podcasts and it's your reviews and ratings that help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners means more interviews and ultimately a better show.
If you have left a review in the past, thank you!
If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes and you can leave some honest feedback and a rating which will help both me and the show and I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL and your name.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Michael Malak Photography on Facebook
Michael Malak Photography on Instagram
Michael Malak Photography on Pin Up Passion
Michael Malak Photography on the Pin-Up Files
George Hurrell Images from Google
Wings of Angels: A Tribute to the Art of World War II Pinup & Aviation Vol.1 1st Edition
Wings of Angels: A Tribute to the Art of World War II Pinup & Aviation Vol.2
Ian Weldon's Interview on PhotoBizX
Ian Weldon Premium Members Interview on PhotoBizX
The NEW PhotoBizX Facebook Page
Equipment
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras
750W Professional Photographic Studio Strobe Flash Light Kit
Universal 4″x 5″ Softbox Flash Diffuser
Thank you!
Thank you again for listening to the show and thanks to Michael for sharing so much in this episode. There's something special about talking to a photographer who's in it 100% for the photography, the art and the creativity. If not having money as a motivator to produce work can lead to portfolio like Michael's – I'd consider returning to the day job.
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!
That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
Thanks and speak soon
Andrew
This was one of my fave interviews. Im not sure if its because Malak isnt completely motivated by Money and Art or the fact that its seems like his shoots are passion collaborations that happen to make him some money.
What cooler toys to play with than WW11 Warbirds! Im sure the models are nice too but id probably fit into the “check out those planes” category :).
Hope you are all relaxing today …im heading off to pick up a train.
Haha, gotta love a girl who’s into WW11 planes 🙂
Love that you enjoyed the interview Te – thanks for adding your comments.
Hope you’ve had some time away from those trains to enjoy with your family and a camera!
Happy New Year to you and your family.