Michael Kloth Photography

Michael Kloth Photography bio picture

About Michael

There was a long series of events leading up to my enrollment in the graduate program at the Academy of Art University. I sometimes stop to wonder where I would be now if I’d missed just one of those steps along the way because my experience there has helped to define who I am as a person. I didn’t know I was a photographer and I certainly didn’t know I was an artist. January 2004 I bought a camera and became a photographer. With the help of the faculty and students at the Academy of Art University, I became an artist.

I left my first career as a cancer research technician after eight years to become a homemaker. Although I didn’t realize it at the time I bought my first camera, I was searching for a creative outlet in my life and I was hooked on photography from the start. A short year later I came across an advertisement for the Academy of Art University in a magazine and enrolled as a personal enrichment student. I thoroughly enjoyed my first classes which led me to enroll in the graduate program. My excitement for art and photography has grown at each step along the way.

Michael Kloth giving a lecture on Shelter Cats and responsible animal stewardship at Washington State University

I’ve been an animal lover for as long as I can remember. As I move through life I’ve come to realize that it is not enough for me to enjoy their company, but rather that I feel compelled to share my time and experience being an advocate for the homeless ones. I see that while people love their cats and dogs, they continue to make decisions that combine to condemn millions of them to death every year and I want to be a voice for change.

Each week I photograph adoptable animals at our local adoption agencies. My experience has been that quality photography is the first step in marketing these furry works of art to potential adopters. It is my hope that I can use these local animals as a voice for the millions of homeless animals nation and worldwide. My debut book Shelter Cats was created as a first step toward reaching that audience.

Having earned my Master of Fine Arts degree, I spend a portion of my time giving back to the art community through teaching. I am currently an Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts at the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus and am working one-on-one with graduate students at the Academy of Art University.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Tri-Cities Pet Photographer soon to be Tucson Pet Photographer

It’s funny how even something as simple as walking the dogs on the same route I’ve taken hundreds of times can seem to take on a renewed meaning once a new course has been set. I’ll be moving to Tucson, Arizona in November and already I’ve found myself musing about all of the things that I won’t be doing here any more. Teaching at WSU or photographing adoptable animals at the Benton-Franklin Humane Society, the Tri-Cities Animal Shelter or even Coyote Ridge Corrections Center. Looking back on the last three plus years that we’ve been in the Tri-Cities, I know that I’ve been very fortunate in all of the opportunities that have come my way but as sad as it is to leave the area, I’m really looking forward to all of the opportunities that await in Tucson. For all of you familiar with the Tucson area, send me a note with your suggestions for your favorite things to do and places to eat.

Of course all this means that I’m also counting down on the number of sessions that I am able to do here in the Tri-Cities before moving. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to contact me, this is it – after October, I won’t be able to help you.

One thing that I’ll certainly miss is my home. We haven’t listed it yet with a realtor so it still feels like our home (if you’ve ever sold a house then you’ll know that as soon as it’s listed, it’s not really your home anymore but rather the place that you live while it is on display). If you live in or are moving to the Tri-Cities and are interested in a beautiful Stanfield Homes construction (~4200 sq ft), please send me an email @ mike@michaelkloth.com to get a link to a photo gallery. I’ll leave you today with a pair of photos of our house.

Tags: animal adoption, AZ, Tri-Cities, Tucson, WA

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