Michael William-Paul
Michael William-Paul is a New York–based producer, director, photographer and philanthropist. His work encompasses international fashion/beauty campaigns, commercial advertising, creative new media campaigns, film/television production and a unique collection of celebrity and candid political portraiture. He has worked with the United Nations since 2001 on matters relating to developmental sustainability and MDGs[clarification needed]. Additionally, he is involved with various international governments, organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)and has participated on many expert panels.
Combining his role in producing image content with culture and sustainable development led him to establish Universal Models for Peace (UMP), an organization committed to projects related to the goals of MDGs. He also has established (MAP), the Model Ambassador Program and the Fashion & Politics Forum as related organizations.
Early life[edit]
Paul was born in a small country town on the border of North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada. His father is a professional photographer and his mother works in the healthcare profession. He has one sister, who is a writer and a high school teacher. His father’s passion for photography and motion picture cinema have had the single most significant impact on Paul’s chosen career path. In Paul’s senior year in high school he made clear that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and began related studies in the arts and creative multi-media fields. Michael received his first professional camera as a high school graduation present from his parents.
Education[edit]
He earned a Bachelor of Arts Honors Degree with a Double Major Honors in Political Science and Mass Communication and a diploma in Audio-Visual and Multi Media Production at Seneca College, while simultaneously engaged in a joint program with York University in Toronto, Canada.
In 1998 he traveled to study in Russia, creating and producing a photo exhibition and television documentary which found international success and was featured on different networks around the world.
While in university, Paul landed a contract for Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues as the official photographer and was soon after hired as a portrait photographer for Unique Lives and Experiences (North America’s foremost women’s lecture series), a contract that would prove to span a decade. Immediately upon completing his degrees, he was hired as an official photographer for the United Nations and European Union and invited as a participant at the World Summit for Young Entrepreneurs. Traveling extensively to Paris, London, and Rome, he found himself emerged in pop culture while studying the past and current discourse on American media. It was at this time that he turned toward other creative genres including fashion, film, music and politics.
Selected achievements[edit]
Fascinated by the culture of the beauty and fashion industry, Paul began photographing agency models, with a quickly launched foray into high fashion with clients such as Flare, Harpers Bazaar, Elle, LA’G, In Style, Today’s Bride, Wedding Bells, Town & Country,[1] Idoll Mag,[2] Nike, Rebook, and BCBG. All the while he continued to photograph portraits for North America’s foremost women’s lecture series Unique Lives & Experiences.
By 2003, Paul, as a producer and actor, was immersed in popular culture, starting with the underground film, The Magnus Opus. While the film had only a cult following Paul's acting quickly led to him being cast for a full season of 23 episodes on a hit television show, acting as a handyman in the internationally syndicated series In Your Space, co-produced by Tricon Films and Much Music.
Throughout 2004–2005 he opened his creative imaging and recording studios, including rental facilities in Downtown Toronto where Fashion Photographer David Anthony became a regular client and mentor, as well as opening a flagship location in New York City where a number of international clients frequent the prestigious 56th and 5th avenue address.
During 2005 and 2006, he established himself as one of the premier photographers of the United Nations, shooting kings, queens, presidents, celebrities, and editorial fashion and beauty clients. His collected portrait work from this time includes celebrities such as Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, and Goldie Hawn, political figures such as Mikhail Gorbachev, Queen Noor of Jordan, and such controversial figures as President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
In 2008 Paul closed the studio locations to further pursue philanthropic ventures relating to sustainable development and international commercial assignments. Paul’s world travels during these years led to a solid repertoire in the international magazine community by shooting fashion advertisements and editorial stories. In 2009 this combined effort opened the Summer Fashion Segment of the African Arise Magazine with an editorial featuring three African Top Models living and working in NYC.
In 2010 Paul ended his tenure with North America’s foremost women’s lecture series Unique Lives and Experiences, leaving after 10 years to pursue further ambitions. Top model and incomparable artist Isabella Rossellini is photographed as the last portrait subject of the series.
In 2010, Midst an economic recession, Paul opened another production studio in NYC under his initials Michael William-Paul - MWP Studios located in the Fashion District of Manhattan’s west side. His editorial and advertising print work continued to be featured in top magazines, including the center fold of Elle’s 25th anniversary edition.[3] He was featured on E! Network Entertainment Television co-producing the premiere episode of The Ice Loves Coco Show. During 2010, Paul also appeared on VH1 and other national television as an actor and playing himself.
Around this time Paul declined options with permanent positions in leading Networks both in news and entertainment media, to focus on independent ventures.
By 2012 portraits of President Barack Obama were added to the Paul collection, while MWP Studios shifted focus into motion HD video/film production. In NYC his photographic collections are now also being produced for first time gallery showcasing.
Philanthropy and humanitarianism[edit]
2005 - with the success of the ICCFXI in Havana Cuba, Michael is established as the Director of Photography at the 2nd World Summit of the Group of 77 in Doha Qatar in 2005.
2008 - Paul brings a top model in travels with the United Nations to West Africa and the first International UMP mission is documented combining the fashion and political worlds.
His travels continue in 2008 as a distinguished guest through the Caribbean, and to Latin America then across the Atlantic to Morocco, and China alongside administration Directors, Diplomats and Government Officials on authoritative assignments.
Later that year he is requested to appear in China as an Honorary Model Ambassador alongside a panel of Eminent Personalities and distinguished Ambassadors, where he toured three of the four Municipal Cities in China, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Beijing.
2009 - Paul voyages to the Middle East and returns to Qatar and Oman for another World Summit to produce a documentary film on Water. Throughout the year increased involvement with a number of beneficial NGOs including World of Hope International and commences involvement with the layout of the UMP website.
UMP launches at the South-South Awards in September 2010. Building momentum throughout 2011, Paul connects to the NYC fundraising scene to increase support for UMP and his related MDG projects. UMP members are invited to the Newark Peace Summit alongside H.H. the Dali Lama and other Nobel Peace Prize Laureates.
In 2012 he is invited to Antigua and Barbuda as a Keynote opening night speaker and to a seminar on Digital Media/Photography and Creative Economy at the ICT Festival and to commemorate the inauguration of the original major 4G LTE Network reaching the emerging tech economy in the Caribbean. Paul introduces MAP, “Model Ambassador Program” through major Caribbean news networks.
At this same time UMP travels to Europe and Switzerland to take work with the ATOM project, partnering with Parliamentarians for Non Nuclear Proliferation, under the guidance and advisor-ship of Alyn Ware.
An interview in The Star[4] highlights Paul’s accomplishments, including The Women Project, a collection series of celebrity and high profile women’s portraits. Paul’s work continues to help raise awareness towards the achievements of the Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals.[5]
References[edit]
- ↑ Town & Country (Fall Fashion: What's Next?): 107. September 2010. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ Hirsch, Sara (Fall–Winter 2011-2012). "A Cause for Pause UMP For Peace". idoll MODEL – AGENCY – INDUSTRY. pp. 52–55. Retrieved 16 April 2013. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ Alwand, Vahan (October 2010). "Subject". ELLE. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- ↑ Suwendy, Marina (28 September 2012). "Photographer's works revolve around current issues and fashion world". The Star. Power Lunch (September).
- ↑ Universal Models For Peace
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