MEET MDV

In case we haven’t met, I want to take a second to introduce myself! My name is Michael (MDV), I’m a Shoals native and have been professionally involved in photography in some capacity for the past fifteen years specifically, modern editorial portraiture. Sit down grab a cup of coffee and let me take you through my journey of how we got here.

Growing up I always had a camera in my hand. It all started with a Polaroid camera that printed out stickers, next a 35mm SLR which is where our story begins. Being able to focus on things and see the background get blurry was always so fascinating to me.

Fast forward to high school at this point I was honestly taking photos of everything and everyone. This is also when I got my first real camera, a digital Canon Rebel. Things took off from here. I was taking all of my friends senior photos. MDV Studios was born just a year after my high school graduation in 2007.

The next chapter was a time of learning and developing a style that I could call my own. There were lots of trial and error, but looking back now I’m so thankful for all of those lessons. Also in this time, I started photographing weddings. The one thing I was scared of the most in the beginning. You mess that up, you can’t go back!

After graduating from the University of North Alabama in 2015, I took off for Nashville to work in the music industry as a digital marker / graphic designer. During this time I worked with some of Nashville’s hottest musicians including Dan+Shay, Faith Hill, Kelsea Ballerini, and Thomas Rhett. I was driving home every weekend for photo shoots and weddings. The business was growing faster than ever before. Finally I decided, there’s no place like home.

After moving back home in 2019, I started working 9-5 for a local fashion brand. This is when I really began to infuse fashion & editorial into my style, even more than before. Today, that’s one thing I think I give my client’s images that stands out among their peers. Now days I find inspiration throughout magazines, editorial campaigns, and record artwork.

I can’t wait to see what we create together! Enjoy browsing through my work. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.