We had the good fortune of connecting with Todd Muskopf and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Todd, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
When I first started out as a photographer, I worked any day I could get a job– weekends, evenings, whatever. As I progressed, I stopped doing evening appointments and eventually refused to work on weekends as well. My response to any weekend queries was “I’m sorry, but my wife has a crazy job and we don’t get to see each other during the week, so I reserve my weekends for her”. All of this was true, and the clients usually had no problem with it and would juggle their schedule to accommodate a weekday session. In fact, many of them mentioned how they wished all husbands prioritized their wife the way I did.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My artistic career began with a BFA in Painting from Miami University. I’ve created paintings and sold them in galleries for the past 35 years. I became an Art Teacher and taught in schools for 13 years. I began photographing professionally in 2003. In that time, I’ve done editorial work for newspapers, magazines, and stock work in addition to all types of portraiture. I’ve been collecting vintage promotional movie star photos for years and used the lighting and posing of Old Hollywood (30s/40s/50s) as inspiration for my Classic Beauty Project, which I began in 2014. With all this experience and influences, I’m able to create unique images that can’t be found anywhere else. Most of my clients drive over an hour to work with me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here in the Dayton, Ohio area we have several outstanding attractions. My wife and I collect a lot of antiques and we have a lot of opportunities for that here. The largest antique mall in the country is here–The Heart of Ohio, as well as Antiques Village. The Springfield Extravaganza is a massive antique/vintage fair which occurs in May and September, lasts 3 days, showcases 2000 vendors and draws 20,000 visitors. We also have the National Museum of the United States Air Force, and dozens of craft breweries!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank all the people who have shared their knowledge and taught me so much in the last 25 years. It all began with the DPReview Forums, then The Professional Photography Forum, then the PhotoBizX Premium community. Individuals include Uncle Frank, Jeff Behm, Mike Nykoruk, Joe Federer, Andrew Hellmich, and dozens if not hundreds of others.

Website: www.muskopf.org and www.classicbeautyproject.com

Instagram: classicbeautyproject

Linkedin: Todd Muskopf

Facebook: Classic Beauty Project

Youtube: @MuskopfPhotography

Image Credits
Credit: Muskopf Photography, LLC

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