Michael's profile
Michael Wriston is a street portrait and long-exposure photographer based in Baltimore, Maryland, who uses his lens to explore the world and his place within it. His work is deeply rooted in a love for Baltimore—a city whose energy, culture, and spirit inspire him to document its unique character within the broader American landscape.
For nearly twenty years, long-exposure photography has been a cornerstone of his practice. Working night shifts early in his career introduced him to the way streetlights transform familiar scenes into something surreal and dreamlike. This perspective draws him to capture Baltimore at night, where abstraction and emotion take precedence. His images aim to reframe how people see the city, inviting viewers to look beyond its surface and find beauty in its layers.
Although street photography often demands an extroverted approach, he has embraced environmental street portraiture as a way to connect more meaningfully with Baltimore's residents. Each portrait seeks to amplify the subject's presence and individuality, creating space for their voices and stories to emerge authentically. Rather than narrating their experiences, his goal is to foster collaboration, allowing their identities to shine through the images.
Michael is also the author of Ten Minute Exposure, a weekly photography newsletter featuring essays from the intersection of photography and temporality.
When not behind the camera, he co-hosts Baltimore Photo Book Meet-Ups and photography print swaps at the Pratt Library, events that celebrate the power of the medium to bring people together. He and his wife, Cait, share a love of photography books, passing this passion on to their children—a testament to how photography continues to shape not just his work, but his life.
