Nationality American Name Kevin Schmitz | Occupation Photographer | |
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Known for advertising campaigns for Miller Lite, Smirnoff, covers for The Los Angeles Fashion Magazine Spouse(s) Rhadha Khaliana Schmitz Alma mater Grand Valley State University, University of San Francisco | ||
Kevin Michael Schmitz (born October 1, 1983) is an American professional photographer in Los Angeles and New York. He is known for his advertising campaigns, fashion editorials and workshops in photography.
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Biography
Schmitz was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and attended Grand Valley State University where he graduated in 2006 with a degree in photography. Then, Schmitz pursued a master's degree in fine arts at the Academy of Art, University of San Francisco, worked as an intern for Tim Priest, a photographer in Grand Rapids, Michigan and published his student work in 2006 in CMYK magazine. He married on September 27, 2014 to Rhadha Khaliana Schmitz. As a professional photographer in West Michigan, he founded Kevin Michael Schmitz Photography and published eight photographic magazine editorial spreads including Vogue magazine in 2008. In addition to his role as CEO and founder of Elite Creative Consulting, a firm located in Hermosa Beach, California, he is the principal founder of the "Kevin Michael Schmitz Photography Scholarship" granted each year to a student majoring in photography in a 4-year college. He has also photographed celebrities such as Vivica Fox, Vanessa Williams, Rochelle Aytes and has been published in multiple editorials in 944 Magazine. He is now represented by famous rep Jorge Perez at JP Reps who represents some of the top photographers in the world for Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harpers Bazaar, and brands such as Dolce Gabbana.
In January 2009, Schmitz led, in Israel, a project entitled "ISRAEL: A Culture at War" about the people of Israel and the West Bank during the Gaza conflict. He photographed and interviewed soldiers and civilians on both sides of the conflict. His work was published internationally exposing the truth behind the conflict through personal stories at front lines. As a result, he collected photographs and authored magazine editorials published in the United States and Europe.
In October 2009, Schmitz signed with The Silverburn Gallery, a gallery in England which represents him through his fine art photographic prints in the U.K. and Europe. He is also represented by 46 Pictures Los Angeles, American Artist Representatives, New York & Paris.
Schmitz is the recipient of the 2009 "Young Alumni of the Year Award" at Grand Valley.
Selected works
During his career, Kevin Michael Schmitz has authored covers, editorial spreads for several magazines and led advertising campaigns for several notable media. He is the CEO and founder of the "Photography Workshop Series" where he directs numerous workshops on studio lighting production in LA, Miami, New York, Denver, Chicago & Hawaii. His workshops are centered around art directing, storyboarding and creating advertising porfolio.
San Diego Magazine, 944 Magazine, Antenna Magazine.