Mike Stog is a Washington D.C. / Baltimore based advertising and commercial photographer, director and producer.
Mike's work tends to focus on the ordinary and everyday moments in life and then elevates them into something soulful with a modern or even surreal twist. Each project is a team effort with production resources across North America so whether shooting in a remote location, a major city or in the studio, you're in good hands.
Mike has been sought out by a variety of advertising & marketing agencies, fortune 500 companies and non-profits. Some of which include the USA Olympic Bobsled/Skeleton Team, United States Coast Guard, United States Marine Corps. , Chevrolet, GMC, United State Air Force, Nemetcheck North America, HGTV Canada, S.A.F.E (NFL Security), Trex Co., Kennametal and various governmental agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security.
With a heart for humanitarian efforts, Stog has taken on several projects for various non-profits including his forth-coming book and project entitled the What Makes You Human project. Stog is currently supporting small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic with his Food For Thought campaign, which offers food and product advertising photography in his home studio at zero cost.
Mike is the founder and executive producer of DesignWorks Visual Media, a boutique video and photo production team based in Washington D.C. / Baltimore.
Mike Stog is an avid traveler. Born in Nairobi Africa, and now residing in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. “I guess it was ingrained in me since the day I was born- but I have always had an inkling for being in bazaar locations and the constant itch for travel. The only difference nowadays is that I get to bring a camera and team along” said Stog.
“I love that once one really understands how to intermingle light and personality, one can practically create a beautiful picture, story or image anywhere in the world. From ones simple corporate office, to the top of the Colorado sand dunes to across the globe—it’s really an amazing thing to think about,” said Stog.
“As a advertising and portrait photographer, I think one of the reasons I became an enthusiast in the first place is because I found such an enormous level of fulfillment within the process of capturing ones face. The textures, expressions and stories that exist behind ones face really captivate me like no other. When I first started, I remember walking around the various cities that I happened to be in and with a light or two, I would ask random strangers if I could photograph thier portrait in exchange for my giving them a copy. It was such a great introduction into how to interact with people, expect the unexpected and really be solution-focused from the beginning" said Stog.