Michael Wisnieux

Moved by Music — Michael Wisnieux’s favorite subjects have been Musicians, since initiating his professional photography career at age 14. Via articulate expression & emotional connection, their charisma, insightful subject matter, and socio-political issues have motivated Michael’s work. By recording and presenting the world’s most inspiring communicators, manifesting moments of peak performance, Michael shares his love of beauty in sound and image, for others to embrace.

The inspiration for Michael Wisnieux’s photography was seeded by his advertising-industry father. Norbert collected, on cassette & camera, each detail of Michael’s life with loving attention and communication. His grammar-school graduation gift, a 35mm Canon AT-1, quickly enabled professional work; and after high-school graduation, Michael designed & built a sophisticated B&W darkroom, developing innovative analog photochemical techniques. He has worked in most formats: e.g. 35mm, Hasselblad, Fuji GX680, & view cameras to 11×14”; extending his style via Scitex, & Macintosh computers since their introduction.

Michael’s photographic legacy includes covering the historically influential Chicago music scene of the 1980s and ‘90s, capturing some of the most prolific icons of rock-and-roll. Behind the lens, experiencing music history with David Bowie, Bjork, Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Peter Murphy, Janet Jackson, and others – Michael’s path of artistry truly matured. Michael is now expanding his series of large limited-edition prints, elegant color-enhanced digital remasters of his analog originals: WISNIEUX ICONS.

An artist of multiple media, Michael has consistently combined his love for music, photography, and film – uniting diverse artists in unique, exciting, innovative, and well-regarded collaboration. Michael constantly researches topics from technology to social trends, and invests his time learning each new subject, listening for unique elements enabling expression and empowerment. He is a proud member of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), and offers a special Master Class for photographers refining their skills to elevate their work.

“Finessing fine-art photography of musicians, humanity, architecture, nature ~ a full range from meticulous details to grand patterns emerges ~ optimizing arrangements of form, perspective, color, light & technology to share timeless, quintessential images ~ this is perhaps my deepest passion. My life is guided by Higher Purpose ~ always endeavoring to create the greatest good for life in our universe. With each representation of subject & style, I seek to exalt the Spirit, conveying beauty, inspiration and self-realization. Music has been a constant current and frequent focus throughout this journey ~ as we are but waveforms, best served by harmony & congruence. I live to serve Truth, Justice, Emotional Power… to improve myself, and our world.”

— Michael Wisnieux.