Mike Butler – Architectural Photographer

Mike Butler Architectural photography
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Mike Butler's Photography Blog

James B Hunt Jr Library

Exterior Photography: Capturing the Beautiful James B. Hunt Jr. Library

This blog post highlights my extensive experience in hospitality photography, tracing my journey from a major shoot at Marriott Marco Island in 2004 to a recent, year-long project at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando in 2023. The Waldorf Astoria shoot involved over 100 shots, captured in multiple phases, showcasing the hotel’s grandeur and elegance. The success of this complex project was due to meticulous planning, a dedicated client team, and a refined workflow that ensures every image is technically perfect and emotionally impactful. The post underscores the importance of professionalism and collaboration in delivering exceptional hospitality photography.

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January 6, 2025
Waldorf Astoria Orlando Lobby

Immersing in Luxury: A Year at Waldorf Astoria

Luxury isn’t just about high-end design—it’s about an experience, a feeling, a story told through space and light. Whether it’s a five-star resort, an exclusive residence, or a world-class hotel, photographing luxury requires more than just technical skill—it demands an understanding of atmosphere, mood, and the subtle details that define sophistication.

In this post, I’ll share my approach to capturing the essence of luxury, from composition and lighting to the finer details that make a space feel truly extraordinary.

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August 20, 2024

La Foto Is Selected for the Columbus Film, Author and Photography Festival 

Exciting news—La Foto has been officially selected for the Columbus Film & Photography Festival! This recognition is another milestone in the journey of a film that explores the profound impact of a single image.

From its inception, La Foto was driven by a passion for storytelling, uncovering the layers of meaning behind a photograph and the lives it touches. Being featured at a festival that celebrates both film and photography is a perfect fit, and we’re thrilled to share this work with a new audience.

Stay tuned for more updates, screening details, and behind-the-scenes insights as La Foto continues its festival run!

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August 7, 2024
Exterior Photograph of Met 3 Miami.

Expert Exterior Photography Tips for Stunning Architecture

Navigating the complexities of photographing a building amidst a cluster of other structures requires a thorough approach. As a seasoned Miami photographer specializing in architectural and exterior photography, I began with a detailed scout of the area, utilizing my Canon R5 and DJI Mavic 3 drone. Despite the drone’s creative potential, the tight urban environment posed challenges, limiting its effectiveness. Through multiple visits and exploring unconventional angles, I captured the building’s unique essence, proving the importance of persistence and creativity in architectural photography.

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August 3, 2024
Boyaca Colombia

Revealing the Invisible: Night Photography in Boyacá

Whispers of the Andes: A Journey Through Garagoa’s Forgotten Landscapes Colombia is not just a country—it is a palimpsest, a place where history is etched into every mountain ridge, every winding road, every shadow cast by the drifting clouds. My wife’s lineage is woven into this tapestry, her blood tied

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January 21, 2023

Sojourn of Words

The Meditative Journey of Photographing Rainbow Falls This night shot of Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park NC was the capstone of what became an unexpected meditative journey through the transition of day to night.  A shoot that became no less than a full-on meditative prayer to the universe. The

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December 9, 2022

PHOTOGRAPHING THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE IAN

In the minds of many, Hurricane Ian has come and gone, the world has moved on. Even as I sit here in my studio in Miami, only a 2-hour drive away from where Ian came ashore, life is, and has been much the same. Yet for the folks on Matlacha

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December 4, 2022