Mike Kelley
Architectural Photographer
Founder | Architectural Photography Almanac
Co-founder | Perspective
Mike Kelley is a photographer based in Los Angeles, California who specializes in photographing architecture; he also has a mild airplane obsession.
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He grew up in Ipswich, Massachusetts: a small coastal town that's one part postcard and one part dramatic Boston movie. Here he was lucky enough to meet a number of amazing teachers who opened his eyes to the world of art and design; this would alter the path of his life in more ways than he could ever imagine.
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After studying studio art and environmental science at the University of Vermont, Mike moved to Lake Tahoe, California, in hopes of becoming a professional snowboarder (graduating right after the '08 recession made this seem like a great idea). A couple of years and too many injuries later, Mike found himself taking up an offer to photograph a few homes for a client I'd met while recuperating. What started by chance turned out to be the perfect mix of technical challenge and creative outlet, and he decided right there and then that it absolutely must be my career.
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In 2018, Mike founded the Architectural Photography Almanac, a resource for architecture photographers and those in the architecture industry seeking to learn about the craft and theory of architectural photography.
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Mike is also a co-founder of Perspective International Architecture and Design Festival.