What Makes You Click with Kelvin Bulluck

Portrait photographer, Kelvin Bulluck has always been interested in what makes people tick. In 2010, shortly after discovering his passion for photography, he began to wonder about high performing photographers and what it takes to reach the highest levels of success within the realms of fashion photography, editorial photography and commercial photography. Ten years later, this podcast was born to answer that very question for new and more experienced photographers alike. What Makes You Click podcast is a series of conversations between Kelvin and some of the most successful photographers in the business. Listen in while they share insights and stories about the highs and lows that lead them to where they are today.

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What Makes You Click with Kelvin Bulluck

Michael Tighe

April 02, 2021 • Michael Tighe • Season 1 • Episode 13

Trigger warning: This episode does include discussion on sexual abuse and drug addiction.

On this episode of What Makes You Click, Kelvin welcomes Michael Tighe, a portrait photographer and actor based in Los Angeles. Listen in as he tells the story of his quick rise to success, his coming back to photography after recovering from drug addiction, and his transition into acting.

Michael shares how he learned the basics of developing photographs at a young age, sparking a curiosity that has lasted his whole life. He details why he decided to leave the School of Visual Arts, what drove him to make a living as a photographer, and his experience studying with Philippe Halsman, Richard Avedon, and Arnold Newman. Michael describes how he developed his own unique style as a photographer and how he got connected with celebrities, like Andy Warhol, to photograph them, sharing jaw-dropping stories of being a young, talented artist in a sea of ego-driven fame.

Tune in to gain insight into Michael’s experience overcoming drug addiction and homelessness, relapsing, and what caused him to stop doing photography for a living. Plus, he talks about his recent experimentation with acting, why he has become an actor later in life, and the status of his one-man show.

Connect with Michael Tighe:

Visit his website: www.michaeltighe.website

Connect with What Makes You Click:

Visit our website: www.whatmakesyouclick.com

Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/whatmakesyouclick

People + Resources Mentioned:

Richard Avedon: www.avedonfoundation.org

Henri Cartier-Bresson: www.henricartierbresson.org

Robert Frank: www.icp.org/browse/archive/constituents/robert-frank

School of Visual Arts: www.sva.edu

Philippe Halsman: www.philippehalsman.com

Magnum Photos: www.magnumphotos.com