We recently connected with Michael Wright and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Michael with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My father and grandfather. At the young age of 13, I could hang sheetrock, tape and bed, caulk, and paint houses better than many professionals. This was due to my father and grandfather’s attention to detail. They demanded the best.
I was also taught punctuality but this message was embedded in my mind when I worked at K-mart shortly after high school. I always showed up early so I knew when the manager made his statement in the break room that it was not pointed at me but the catchphrase stuck with me. He said, “Eight o’clock is when you start work, not when you show up.”” I am always early.
Later in life, I was given another bit of vital information that I continuously struggle with. I was told by another boss that it was my responsibility for how I was heard. I try to carefully phrase what I type or say but I am human so this is still a work in progress.
I strive always to do my best at any task before me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
If this question had been asked of me four years ago then I would have told you that I was a medical software consultant who taught providers and nurses how to not only utilize the software but how to program it. Though I am still in this profession it is no longer who I am.
I am a music photographer and owner of Seven Pillars Photography, L.L.C. I am the author of two books with the third one to be released in February 2024. In May of 2024, I will be releasing the premiere edition of a quarterly magazine called “SEVEN” which will cover the local Austin music environment.
I am an explorer on an adventure seeking to make known the incredible talent of this amazing music city, this “Live Music Capital of the World.” In time, I will become the de facto, “go-to” person for inquiries about the Austin Live Music environment. I see the struggles local musicians deal with and I intend to facilitate their efforts to succeed with the best tool I have, my photography and my words. I did not set out, initially to be a writer but that is what I have become and I will use both it and my photography to elevate all musicians of the greater Austin area.
I helped facilitate the displaying of photographs of local Austin Musicians from various Austin photographers at the Austin Airport. Also, photographs of mine, taken from The Saxon Pub, can be seen on the monitors at The Saxon Pub area in the airport.
This day, I am working on an idea that I am so excited about. I will not disclose but I will say this, It is about Local Austin musicians. My God, if I can pull this one off then……..
Seven Pillars Photography L.L.C. is about presenting Austin musicians in the highest quality possible. It is also about increasing live music attendance at every venue by highlighting the experiences I have attended. Increased attendance means increased revenue for musicians.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Persistence, or as I call it, “Dogged Determination.” – I figure things out. I am a very analytical person. My motto in life is: “Eventually, I get there.” The process may not be pleasant but I eventually achieve my goals.
2. Strive to perfect, there is always a better way. Continuous improvement is the music of my mind. I am rarely 100% satisfied with anything I have done. I know where the bodies are buried in my work.
3. I love solving problems. Too many times this is “Baptism by Fire”, i.e. I rarely get to gently enter an issue to resolve. It is either thrust upon me or, due to a wrong turn on my part.
In short, I am an Analytical Problem-Solving Perfectionist.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
Late in life, I have learned, and am still learning, that once identified it is important to give 100% to your strength or gift Photography was never on my horizon but once I picked it up and fell in love with it then my need to perfect my skills took over.
The type of photography, live music events, took time to narrow down. But I am hooked. I will soon be opening my studio but I will only photograph musicians. Music is my passion and where my creativity is at its strongest.
Well-rounded is overrated. It is on the same platform as multi-tasking. You can never do your best in everything at once.
Yes, we all have to have familiarity with much but trying to reach a level of equality in all areas of interest is a goal for the idle rich. My interest and college degree is in history with a minor in political science. I love history but I simply do not have the time to entertain that love. One could present the idea of researching and writing about the history of Austin music but I would counter with the fact that it would take time away from my photography. My books about Austin Musicians are of the present and eventually will become historical by default.
Seeing the amazing talent on stage inspires me to learn how to play an instrument or even sing but such would take time, time that I have less before me, at my age than in my youth. Neither would make me any better at my photography.
I would love to paint and am still tossing the idea around in my mind but I keep coming back to the fact that I am continuously painting with my photographs. My photographs are the artwork of my music museum.
In short, time is the one asset that is equally shared. Those who succeed, I believe, are those with a focused mind. I have been too distracted in the past. Not anymore. Watch out world, this focused and determined man is going to set the music world on fire starting in Austin.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sevenpillarsphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevenpillarsfoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SevenPillarsPh1/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SevenPillarsPh1
Image Credits
All images were taken by and are the property of Michael Wright of Seven Pillars Photography, L.L.C.
