Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Butler
Mike, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m one of the lucky few who knew exactly what they wanted to do at 15. Now, 35 years later, I’m still doing what I love—capturing and creating compelling imagery, both in still photography and video.
I spent my formative years living with my family in Bangkok, Thailand, where I started my craft-jouney in black-and-white street photography, shooting hand-rolled film and processing it by hand. From there, I earned an associate degree in photography and later apprenticed under the esteemed Dan Forer in the late ’90s. That experience provided my formal training in lighting, color management, and shoot logistics. During this time, we worked with 4×5 technical cameras, black-and-white Polaroids, and 4×5 chrome film, almost exclusively Kodak 64T, known for its wide dynamic range—but offering zero margin for exposure or color errors.
I launched my professional career in the late ’90s using that same now-antiquated equipment and workflow. However, as a young photographer, I saw the digital revolution coming. I was one of the first to scan and retouch my chrome film digitally, outputting to chrome for final delivery—without clients even knowing the difference.
As the industry transitioned to digital in the 2000s, my career gained momentum, landing me bigger and bigger clients such as RTKL and Marriott.
In 2010, I took on a major personal project, photographing the Virgilio Barco Library in Bogotá, Colombia. That project led to my first award-winning documentary film, “La Foto”.
From 2010 to 2018, I settled down, got married, and had two incredible kids. However, during that time, I took my eye off the ball, and my business fell behind in the rapidly evolving technological and marketing landscape. By 2018, I was down to just two major clients—and in an unfortunate turn of events, I lost both within two months, right as my second son was born.
It’s one of those business stories people don’t like to talk about.
From 2018 to 2022, I fought to rebuild my business, navigating a changing industry while trying to regain my footing. By early 2022, just as I was on the verge of giving up, things finally turned around—both business and confidence came back. Since then, my work has steadily grown and expanded.
Today, as a luxury-approved photographer for Hilton, I photograph some of the highest-end hotels in the industry. Additionally, we’re expanding into large-scale video productions, leading teams of up to a dozen professionals as I direct.
It’s been a long career, filled with ups and downs. But with persistence and determination, anything is possible.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Running a business is like sailing a boat—you can set your sails, but you’d better be ready to adjust them at a moment’s notice when the wind shifts. And just like the wind, the business landscape is constantly changing. For artists, this is even more pronounced—the look that the industry demands is always evolving. Along the way, I’ve faced plenty of challenges, from mastering the technical side of the craft to developing strong personal relationships.
Technical Evolution
Technical growth was straightforward—I could see it in my work. Early on, if I had eight shots in a shoot, only two were strong. A year later, maybe three were solid. Now, I’m almost at a 1:1 success rate, with some exceptions. One of my biggest challenges was shifting from the stolid, traditional architectural photography mentality—slow setups, tripods with sandbags, and meticulous lighting—to the fast-paced, high-energy shooting style of today. It took me a while to let go of the tripod. In fact, I still struggle with it. There’s a time for precision and a time for agility, and knowing when to adapt has been key.
I also struggled with evolving my visual style. I came from a baroque-inspired, heavy and moody lighting approach—technically difficult but deeply satisfying when executed well. Then, in the mid-2000s, the industry shifted toward bright, oversaturated, technically simple imagery—a style that caught on and never left. Adapting to that was a process.
Personal Growth
In the beginning, I wasn’t a people person. I saw clients simply as a means to an end—they hired me, I shot the images, they paid me. I rarely listened. I just did things my way, the old-school way. But over the years, I learned how to develop real, honest relationships with clients. I listened, I adapted, and I learned to read the room—a skill I never had before.
So the old adage holds true: If you’re not learning, you’re not growing. And if you’re not growing, you’re certainly not keeping up.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have specialized in architectural photography my entire career. Along the way, I’ve developed skills across nearly every genre of photography, but architecture remains my strongest expertise. Within that, I focus primarily on hospitality and resort photography and video.
Early in my career, I was known for extensive lighting setups, precise dawn shots, and a disciplined, tight workflow with a highly efficient crew. I also had a reputation for working three times harder than anyone else on set—and even at 50, I can still outwork just about anyone. But over time, I’ve learned that working hard isn’t always the smartest approach.
Because I’ve honed my craft to such a high level, I now operate with a relaxed, confident working style that consistently produces world-class imagery. I cultivate positive, collaborative relationships with my clients, ensuring that my work helps them thrive. My approach is simple—I’m easy to work with, I put everything I have into each shoot, and I deliver stunning images. That’s why my clients almost always return. (You can’t keep them all!)
What I’m most proud of is keeping my business thriving after all these years, despite constant industry shifts. I’ve adapted, evolved, and continued to grow—and that’s why I’m still here.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my most cherished memories is hanging out the side of a moving train in Thailand with my dad. No doors, no gates, just me gripping a metal bar, the wind roaring past, and the tracks rattling beneath us. I was 14, and we were crossing a gorge—this deep cut through the cliff with a river winding far below.
I remember my fingers slipping just a little on the warm metal. My dad stood next to me, totally at ease, one hand resting on the frame. He had his Nikon f-3 he turned the camera to me and took a photo.
A photo of a kid with no safety net, no supervision, no one telling you how to hold on or when to let go. You are in charge of yourself, and that’s it.
I think about that moment a lot. About how that kind of freedom feels lost now, buried under rules and responsibility. But I chase it. I always chase it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mike-butler.com
- Instagram: mike_butler_photo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikebutlerphoto/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebutlerphoto/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeButlerPhoto
- Other: https://raleigharchitecturalphotographer.com/
Image Credits
Image of Mike directing: Alejandro Chaparro
