About Fadeout Media: Topanga based multi-media artist — fadeout media
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about

 
 

Hello.
My name is Michael. Thanks for checking out my work and reading my thoughts….
I am a freelance photographer, filmmaker, music producer/engineer, and creative consultant.

Born in Chicago and now living on the West Coast in magical Topanga CA, I’m grateful for my midwestern roots and sunny future.

Though most of my work is now based in Southern California, I’m very open to freelancing anywhere there are good people to meet and compelling stories to tell.

When I’m not “working”/creating, I’m usually hiking, camping, meditating, and missing a
Malamute friend in Chicago. I am often listening to mood or location based playlists on repeat but have a wide range of tastes, especially when it comes to work projects; I don’t have to love each thing as it begins to evolve, I just need it to reach its full potential…

Sometimes that requires that I’m very involved in the cultivation process, and others it just means staying out of the way and providing the garden space for an artist to help themself grow.

 
 
 

ARchive of artwork/personal projects

i produce a lot of work for clients, and some for myself. I am often finding odd moments and dark scenes, using roughed up negatives, amplifying digital errors and analog anomalies; aLL while attempting to tell stories through silent songs.


Limited edition prints are available for hundreds of images from the last 15 years.

thanks for checking out my work!


connections through pixels and waveforms

Much of my music production and video work involves painstakingly building something over a period of time, while my photography and personal a/v art projects are often rooted in improvisation and reaction.

But for every project It’s typically important to get to know clients/places/songs/subjects/ideas in advance. Sometimes improvising without prep is the right choice, but investing time in the right amount of preparation and pre-production typically leads to higher quality and more authentic photos/music/art/assets.
Artistic trust is a two way street that often needs more than a day to be built.


Internal Roadmaps

There are so many old and new stories that humans have to tell, and I love getting to spend all my time helping to translate them into meaningful images and other works of art.

When creating very personal projects, it can be difficult to choose a creative media maker to collaborate with. if you think I may be a good fit for your project/idea, let’s meet up and share plans and ideas.

 

 

What do clients say about working with fadeout media?


“Michael is a Swiss Army knife of creative and artistic talent. From a curated historical landmark photoshoot for office artwork, to skillfully filming our firm’s CEO address and all firm outings, he consistently delivers top notch work product in a timely manner. He listens first to ensure his approach matches the intended outcome, then his actions speak for themselves with the quality of his final deliverables. Fadeout Media is the first and only name we have on our short list for all our company’s photo and video content needs.” – Josh H (Co-founder Prosperity Partners)

 

The only thing negative about Michael is that he left Chicago and, damn, this city is just not the same without him. Anyone who has had the pleasure of working with him can likely tell you when and where they met him. There are many talented creative professionals out there, but what sets Michael and Fadeout Media apart is the attention to detail and his care for the client’s experience. He embraces his clients' passions and has a magical ability to turn their thoughts, even ones that aren't explicitly spoken, into reality. 

Michael’s deep empathy for his clients and their projects ensures a great experience and outcome. I dare you not to fall in love with him after working with Fadeout Media.  Go ahead, I double dare you. He has been at the most important events in my life, from the recording and production of my and my husband's album to capturing our wedding, to many family photo sessions.  He has an innate talent for getting the best out of his clients, and he does it in a way that makes you feel like you are hanging out with a lifelong friend. There is no such thing as a mundane project for Michael, he creates magic in the world every single day. I strongly recommend you give him a chance to create magic in your world. -Cathy (music production and photo client)


“Michael’s immense talent, artistic eye, and genuine kindness make him an asset to any rehearsal room or event space.  He has a deep understanding of A Red Orchid Theatre's aesthetic identity and artistic philosophies. His production photos are active and compelling and highlight the work of all the actors and designers involved. He is always unobtrusive and prioritizes his subjects' comfort above all. Michael has become a friend and a beloved member of the A Red Orchid community, and I always look forward to working with him!” 

- Hope G. (Communications Director)

 

“Hi Michael,

Just wanted to say again that I am pleased to have you part of the team. I know you go above and beyond for the client. I have copied and pasted below an email I received from Luciana and Nick. You knocked it out of the park for them. We'll grab lunch soon and catch up. Thank you.”

Warm regards,

Jack

(Founder, Pro Property Shots LA)

………

“Hey Michael,

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the amazing photographs you took of our house. Your talent truly shines through in every shot, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. The way you captured the space was simply incredible, and I know these photos will make a huge difference for both our Airbnb listing and location shoots.

Your professionalism and attention to detail were outstanding, and it was a pleasure working with you. Thank you for your hard work and for delivering such high-quality photos. They exceeded all our expectations!

Looking forward to working with you again in the future.” - Luciana and Nick (Musicians, home owners)


“Michael exemplifies professionalism in every sense. His communication skills are outstanding, and he's incredibly prompt. We've had the pleasure of having him document our farmers market twice, and each time, he's exceeded our expectations.

Michael/Fadeout Media has an incredible ability to capture not just the scenes but the soul of our market—beautifully portraying the essence of our customers, vendors, and the overall vibe. He's more than just a photographer; he's a storyteller who genuinely cares about the community, respectfully highlighting the people who make our market special.

Michael has a unique ability to blend into the background, ensuring he's always there to capture the critical moments without ever being intrusive. The video he produced for our Grand Opening was exceptional, and we proudly feature it on our homepage.

If you're in search of a photographer or videographer, Michael and Fadeout Media should be your first and only choice”

- Kate and Freddi

(Co-founders of Topanga Farmers Market)

 

I've known Michael for 40 years, and he is the most thoughtful creative that I've worked with, across a variety of mediums. He is able to clearly capture the essence of his subject because he listens deeply and learns what is important to each individual and what will enhance their unique strengths. He leverages his appreciation for the aesthetic and keen attention to detail to produce high-quality products that fill his clients with gratitude and evoke powerful emotions from the viewer. Michael is a consummate professional, with an inclusive personality that immediately puts people at ease and makes his "work" a total joy to be a part of!

-Nicole (photo client & chosen family)


"Working with Michael over the last 15 years has been a wild ride! From the moment we met, His calming presence put myself and later my band members at ease, allowing us to relax and be ourselves during the entire creative process, which extends to both photography and music.

Michael’s attention to detail is impeccable. He is a student of his clients, making sure to truly understand their creative vision and meet them just far enough away from where they intended to impact the work with respect from one artist to another.

His ability to create a nurturing environment has enabled me to make confident decisions, resulting in unique perspectives of myself and where I might go with my music. As he has ventured into new pursuits of passion and creative mediums, his network has continued growing giving me access to other artists and collaborators which keeps me curious about what is coming next.

I highly recommend at a minimum, to hop on the phone with Michael for a consultation to get a sense of what makes him an exceptional creative partner. Then I'd highly recommend you create something with him. Just poke around his website and see for yourself."

-Stephen F. (Musician and Producer)

 

“Reminded me of you” -C.S.


 

 

ethics & equality matter
 

fadeout media and its associates does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.  

i will proudly work with people from every walk of life.
except jerks.

 

   ¡everybody love everybody!

thanks for visiting.

-miChael H