SayntMykl.com is the photography site of Michael John Simpson, aka SayntMykl of Los Angeles, CA. The purpose and intent of this site is to provide a forum for the various genres of my photography.

I've had an interest in photography since I was very young, influenced by my father, an avid amateur photographer. I started off using my grandmother's old Brownie and later, a kodak 110 to photograph family trips.

My dad bought me my first and only 35mm SLR camera for Christmas when I was 16, one of the RICOH SLR series with a Pentax lens mount. The next summer, he signed me up for a one-day photography class at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Apart from that, I've never had any formal training in photographic technique; everything else has been self-taught through taking thousands of photos.

My senior year, with my new camera in tow, I became a photographer for my high school newspaper. My journalistic career was cut short when my camera was stolen at an amusement park during spring break.

I went for about 12 years without a decent camera. In 2000, I bought a FujiFilm MX-1200 and launched into digital photography. It became glued to my hip and I started shooting anything I could get in front of me: friends, family, pets, flowers, landscapes, wildlife, cars; literally ANYTHING!

After a couple of years of hauling the Fuji everywhere I went, it started to fall apart, so in 2003, I bought a Nikon Coolpix 2100 and have been hooked on Nikons ever since!

Since 2003, I've shot over 68,000 photos and I plan to never quit.

How do you say your name?
It's pronounced like Saint Michael. It was a nickname given to me by a friend about ten years ago. I decided to build my first website at that time, but many other permutations of "saintmichael.com" were already taken. I worked with a guy whose name was spelled "Mykl", so I borrowed that and by changing the i to y in Saint, SayntMykl.com was born.

How long have you been doing photography?
Since I was very young, as stated in my bio. I've been shooting professionally since 2003.

What cameras do you use?
All of the photos on this site have been taken with a Nikon D40x, or a Nikon Coolpix S600 (my newest!), 8400, L3, 2100. A few shots were taken with my LG enV (VX-9900) mobile 2.0 megapixel cameraphone.

I like your photos; may I use them on my website/album cover/poster/business media/etc?
I prefer that only the respective subjects of my photos are allowed to use my work in any way. I may consider making photos available for commercial purposes, provided that usage serves to maintain the artistic integrity of my work and to show respect to the models. If you feel your ideas meet these criteria, please feel free to contact me to discuss an arrangement.

From whom/where do you derive inspiration, or get your ideas?

• My father - I have many memories of a camera in his hand, and was always happy to sit and pour through photos and slides he'd taken over the years. He was always trying to instruct me on how to take better photos.
  
• Nature - I have always been fascinated by nature; as you can see, the majority of my photos are of nature.
  
• Media - I enjoy film, television, music and other media. I am heavily inspired by the visions of artistic film directors such as David Lynch and Tim Burton, muscic artists like The Cure, Robyn Hitchcock, Trent Reznor, and of course, David Bowie.
  
• Etc. - I also take inspiration form other photographers, artists and models I have worked with.
  

Will you take pictures of me?
Heck, yes! Quite probably. Please send me an email with attached photos no larger than 8"x6" @ 72dpi, or send a link to photographs of yourself online. Please note: I do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or appearance. You just have to be able to inspire me.

All written and photographic material on this site is the intellectual property of SAYNTMYKL.COM, and may not be copied or reproduced in any form, printed or electronic, without express written permission of SAYNTMYKL.COM. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in accordance with international copyright laws.

For ordering information, to send comments or just to say hi, please send email to mykl@sayntmykl.com.