Michael William-Paul

FILM DIRECTOR / PHOTOGRAPHER / ENTREPRENEUR 

ABOUT
A creative Director + Photographer, insightful business entrepreneur, and dedicated humanitarian. An  artist known for his exceptional vision and vast body of work.

self Portrait photograph

Michael William-Paul is an accomplished director and photographer renowned for his unique and genuine style. His images share a compelling emotional energy between the subjects and the audience. He has worked alongside prominent figures from the world of entertainment, notable fashion brands, revered world leaders, and dignitaries. A passionate advocate for emerging talent, he has played a pivotal role in fostering the success of rising artists in the creative landscape. With commissions from renowned individuals, governments, and businesses.

Michael’s fashion photography has graced the pages of esteemed global platforms, including Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Allure, Flare, Sports Illustrated, and The New York Times. His editorial work for Arise Magazine, which highlights African culture, was prominently selected to be  featured in the book “New African Fashion.” Furthermore, he has crafted captivating fashion films for renowned designers and brands, earning him a prestigious BFFA nomination nod for his collaborations with the legendary Japanese Designer Yumi Katsura.

His reputation and a diplomatic career in the United Nations resonates among a clientele of high-level government officials, opening doors to prestigious opportunities such as directing media for international forums and world summits, as well as undertaking commissioned portrait work on a global scale. Notably, Michael has captured iconic images of Heads of State, including the esteemed former President Barack Obama and The Amir of Qatar and his Wife.

Based in NYC & Miami he recently rebranded MWP Studios, and launched  AMA Talent as America’s Mother Agency.  He is the founder of OnScreenPromo offering solutions for brands and business’s to better navigate creative marketing tools into the future of AI.  

 

EARLY CAREER & LIFE

Michael’s passion for storytelling and photography was ignited during his time as a foreign exchange student in Eastern Europe and Russia, where he studied transitional economics in the late ’90s. Through bold risks, he captured his travels on film and camera, eventually transforming them into a documentary and internationally recognized photo exhibition. This pivotal moment catapulted his career as a daring and energetic artist, driven by a profound curiosity for people and a keen interpretation of culture within complex geopolitical and economic systems. Recognizing his exceptional work, Michael was invited as a distinguished young entrepreneur to the 8th World Summit in Belgium. It was during this summit that he garnered the attention of high-ranking officials at the United Nations and was later recruited to be stationed at the UN Headquarters in New York. This opportunity marked the beginning of his diplomatic tenure, serving as the official photographer and media liaison for various governments, commonwealths, and heads of state.

Building upon his early achievements, Michael attracted the attention of Hollywood producers, who recognized his talent and entrusted him with significant projects. His role as the official portrait photographer for Eve Ensler’s renowned ‘Vagina Monologues’ became a pivotal opportunity, leading to commissions covering North America’s esteemed Women’s Lecture Series, ‘Unique Lives & Experiences.’ Over an impressive ten-year period, he established a solid foundation for his ongoing collection of portraiture photography, featuring some of the world’s most distinguished and influential figures.

Focused primarily on producing and working as a director.  He has also spent time in front of the camera.  Co-starring in the popular internationally syndicated Canadian TV series “In Your Space” playing himself as the “handy man” in a 23 episodes.  He has also contributed to guest appearances for E Network Television Shows and VH1.   

His commitment to making a positive impact led him to serve as the panel Chair for the inaugural World Fashion Forum, held at the United Nations Headquarters on International Women’s Day. This historic event, attended by influential figures such as Pauline Brown, the acting President of LVMH at the time, and Carolyn Hardy, the former acting Director of UN Women, showcased his expertise and solidified his significant contributions to the world of fashion and its influence in politics and diplomacy. As the Fashion World Forum celebrates its 10th anniversary, his role and impact continue to resonate, embodying the enduring power of the event in shaping the industry’s future

His documented and distinguished credibility in the international community and throughout the United Nations has helped to shape a frontier of issues pertaining to advancing the previous Millennium Development Goals, and the post development agenda or the Global Goals for Sustainability.  As Founder of Universal Models for Peace (UMP), and the (MAP) Model Ambassador Program, his humanitarian projects continue to have a wide reach.
Recognized for his achievements and honored with the distinguished Zambrano Foundation Award “Defender of Democracy” which he accepted on behalf of his non profit group UMP in Feb. 2016 in Miami Florida during the Presidential High-Level Reception of the Cumbre Latino Americana Event.  He celebrated alongside other distinguished recipients former President of Mexico H.E. Vicente Fox, and the Mayor of Medellin Columbia Federico Gutierrez Zuluaga.

SERVICES

 

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

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