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Maker Spotlight: Michael Burmesch of Mb Squared Photography

Our maker spotlight series not only allows you to learn more about the maker, it also allows you to learn from the maker! 


Follow along and learn insight and receive advice right from the makers who make this creative world so beautiful. 


Without further ado…


Name: Michael Burmesch

Business Name: Mb Squared Photography

Facebook: @mbsquaredphoto



What do you Make? 

I am a local Bay View resident and traveling Milwaukee, WI, and Greater Wisconsin iPhone photographer, capturing all this midwestern gem has to offer. Taking photographs in square ratio, with my camera phone, my subjects include architecture, florals, local points of interest, landmarks, abstracts, and landscapes. As I am a full-time graphic designer, my artwork also blends my photography and graphics, creating fine digital art pieces.


Describe your brand in three words.

Colorful, Friendly, Purposeful


What inspired you to start your creative business?

I took an interest in photography after getting out of a toxic relationship. I realized after living through those years that I lost my spark of creativity and passion for art outside of my full-time graphic design job. I also had to recover from all that. 


On weekends, I'd hit the road with my camera phone, a pack of almonds or mixed nuts, and some Gatorade. I'd drive to all corners of Wisconsin pretty much going where my heart desired and photographing everything in my path. I rediscovered myself shot by shot. I'd then post what I shot on Instagram as a way of cataloging my journey. 


Several years later my photos started to get noticed, to the point where I was asked to show some of my work in a local gluten-free bakery (MOR) on the south side of Milwaukee, in Bay View. As I had 20 shots printed, hand-titled, signed and framed on the walls of the space, and the bakery/cafe was hosting a gallery night, I decided to package up some of the extra prints I had on hand. I threw them in a bin to sell at the reception. That evening I sold roughly half the bin. It was then that my new partner suggested selling my work at upcoming art and craft fairs. From there the business took off. There was no looking back.



What’s been the most rewarding moment in your creative journey so far?

Meeting people. I love seeing the joy my work brings to folks. Some people simply appreciate the shot, others have a deep meaningful connection to my work. Sharing the "connection" with someone from a shot is what keeps me going. Knowing how deeply someone feels for my work, and having them open up to me about their connection with that location, item, colors, etc. is where the magic happens. I have my own memory of taking the shot, so hearing from others what makes that place or item special is where we bond. Many people I've met through the years doing this, I've truly stayed in touch with. I love seeing them again, event after event.


What’s your go-to market day drink or snack?

Drink = Starting the day with coffee in my 16 oz thermos, then filling that with water throughout the day. 


If the venue has a bar though, I don't mind treating myself typically to a lighter beer. The Indeed Brewing Pistachio Cream Ale is a fave. 


Snack = IQ Protein Bar. Almond Butter Chip is my favorite.


Top 3 to 5 favorite markets to vend at each year?

  1. Our Lady of Lourdes Oktoberfest Artisan Fair

  2. Milwaukee County Historical Society Trimborn Farms Harvest of Arts and Crafts

  3. Milwaukee Makers Market 

  4. Story Hill Firehouse

  5. I Heart Indie Markets



If you could give one piece of advice to a new vendor applying to their first market, what would it be?

Be gentle on yourself. Some days will be long, will be hard, and will be a lot of work. Keep going and have faith that you're on the right path. 


Should you not make it into that first market you applied to, don't take it too hard on yourself, and keep on applying. The right market and the right audience for you is out there and can't wait to meet you and discover your work.


What’s something customers don’t always see about running a handmade business?

The long long long days... It's not just the markets and being "present" during the event. There's so much behind the scenes. For me it's taking the shots, preparing the shots for print, producing the prints, packaging the prints, hauling my entire booth and product to markets, setting up, being "present" and in go mode with customers the entire event, tearing my booth down and packing it all up, getting everything back home, putting it all away. And then replenishing stock and preparing for the next event. All while staying on top of social media posts, website orders, consignment shop inventory, expenses vs. income, booth fees, packaging, etc... and while working a full-time day job. 


Seven years in my business is a pretty fine tuned machine. It's exhausting at times, though very rewarding. It's truly non-stop.


How has your identity or lived experience shaped your work?

I certainly don't hide that I am an LGBTQ+ owned small business. In trying to create a safe space where I'm at, I proudly attach a Pride flag to my display and wear pronoun/Pride buttons on my lanyard. 


Once the business took off and my work began to evolve, especially knowing that through the sale of my work I could give back to the community, I started to develop pieces of work in which I could do just that. With my "Equality/Pride" and "Pride Squared (Progress Pride Flag)" prints, drink coaster/magnets, and stickers, I give back 20% of the purchase price proceeds to local LGBTQ+ non-profits in the Milwaukee area, primarily the MKE LGBT Community Center and Courage +.


What does success look like for you right now?

Harmony... Balance in my life. Not letting the business side of things, or chasing the dime consume me as an individual.



What boundaries have you had to set as a creative entrepreneur?

I've got a slew of interests in my life besides the business and the process of my work. I share my time with my partner, friends, family, and also split it up working a full time weekday job. I now limit myself daily (weeknights after work) and on the weekends (especially ones that I have events) so as to not push myself too hard, do too much, and possibly burn out. 


In years past I've done upwards of 55-60 markets a year, though in setting boundaries for myself moving forward, I'm focusing on attending 35-40 markets/events annually. If it doesn't get done today, it can always get done tomorrow. I try to focus on what has to get done, vs. what I may want to get done. It's a balancing act. 


What song would be the soundtrack to your brand?

Anything Cher, MIKA, Robyn, or Empire of the Sun... Cher's Closer to the Truth album and Robyn's Body Talk come to mind, though the soundtrack would be a spontaneous combination of pretty much anything by them. lol 


If I had to pick one song it would be "Grace Kelly" by MIKA.


What’s one tool or supply you absolutely can’t live without?

My camera phone... as I take all my shots with an iPhone and combination of lenses made specifically for phone photography. I started with an iPhone 4S, then used a 6S, and now have an 11. I'm eying up the iPhone 16, though honestly my iPhone 11 suits me just fine. My partner even started naming and calling my iPhone "Sheila". On road trips together Sheila gets a lot more attention than him while on the road, though when we get to the hotel, she lives in the nightstand drawer.


What do you listen to or watch when working on your products or artwork? 

Surprisingly not my soundtrack (mentioned above)... Usually it's French radio (Pop/Rock) via Chante France, sometimes House Jazz, sometimes John Coltrane or Nina Simone. 88 nine Radio Milwaukee is frequently on dial.


If people want to buy your products, where should they find you? 

My colorful work (Easy-to-frame hand-titled and signed 12.5”x12.5” prints, 8”x8” signed prints, drink/coaster magnets, and stickers) is available for purchase at maker’s markets, in galleries, and at local businesses throughout Wisconsin. 




Anything else you want to add or share with the handmade community? 

Should you see me out and about, definitely stop by and say "Hi!". I love meeting and supporting new vendors, and connecting with the future of our handmade community.


Make sure to give Michael and Mb Squared Photography a follow over at @mbsquaredphotography and find him at some of his favorite local area makers markets this spring! 


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Are you a maker ready to be featured?


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We can’t wait to showcase what you create!

 
 
 

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