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PHOTO GALLERIES
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Editorial Portraiture
Things
Published
Documentary
Objects of Art
Bands
World of the Redheel
Live Music
Wedding/Bridal
Faces of Izzy's Coffee Den
People and Monkeys
Freaks of Asheville 2010-2011
<span class="text"><font color="#333333" class="text"> <style> <!-- .encloser { text-align: left; } .encloser th { text-align: left; } .encloser td { text-align: left; } .encloser caption { text-align: left; } --> </style> <span class="encloser"> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <span style="font-family: Arial; ">Ironies. Humor. Contradictions...the South is full of them and hopefully my work reflects this. As a photographer with nearly 20 years experience I strive to succeed at capturing those things that are fleeting and will only be around for a moment. Whether that's a sock monkey diorama, a twitchy rock star or a decaying old barn covered in rusty license plates. Roadside inspirations, momentary glimpses, and offbeat ideas about ordinary visions are where I seek my muse and use my photography to isolate imagery and breathe new life into its meaning. I describe myself as a southern native outsider, working behind the lens to capture those things right in front of us all that may have otherwise been missed. I believe that taking an image out of its environment ultimately gives it more context and life. As a commercial photographer I bring a high level of professionalism and technical knowledge to the task at hand. I began my formal study in fine art photography at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro then continued on to finish my technical education in photography at Randolph Community College. </span></p> <p> Some of the people I have had the honor of photographing include Tift Merritt, Loudon Wainwright III, Gallager, Billy Corgan, Doc Watson, King Richard Petty and three North Carolina Governors; Terry Sanford, Jim Hunt and Mike Easley. My work has appeared in a variety of publications including <em>No Depression, Psychology Today, Magnet, The Independent Weekly, Interior Design, BOLD Life, Spin, Creative Loafing, Mountain Xpress</em> and <em>Guitar Player Magazine</em>. In 2005 I completed work on the book <em>Sock Monkey Dreams</em> (Viking Studio Press) collaborating with authors Whitney Shroyer and Letitia Walker . Other projects have included <em>Faces of Izzy's</em>, a book of portraits documenting many of the characters of Izzy's Coffee Den and downtown Asheville, the <em>FREAKS of ASHEVILLE 2010</em> and <em>2011</em> calendars and the <em>Blue Ridge Roller Derby 2011</em> and <em>2012</em> calendars. </p> <p> </p> <p> <span style="font-size: small; "><span style="font-family: Arial; ">Have questions? Want to purchase a print or see others? Need a quote on an assignment perhaps? Just drop me an email or call...I'd love to hear from you.</span></span><br /> <br /> </p> <center> <p> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p> </center> <center> <br /> <center> thanks for looking around!<br /> <center> Michael</center> </center> </center> <center> </center> </span> </font></span><br>
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Asheville, NC
919-522-1435
all images ©2011 Michael Traister
