September of 2019, I attended the Spring-Summer 2020 New York Fashion Week. It was my first time doing fashion week for my magazine and it was as overwhelming as it was delightful. My anxiety wouldn’t allow me to introduce myself to the many models and celebrities in attendance, but I was determined to meet a particular photographer and his colorful friends. I called out to the small group and when Stephen J. Mihalchik turned around, I was pleased to see that he was wearing a Metallica t-shirt. I had something with which to start a conversation (yay). But, it was his guests whose clothing first caught my attention.

We all spoke for a bit about the show and all of the amazing designs that we had seen. He invited me to a photoshoot that he was doing with the recording artist with him, suggesting that I interview her for Kingdomz X. I had never been to a shoot before, so of course, I was game.

Seeing the New York City native work in his Chinatown studio was fascinating. I marveled at all the equipment on tables and the floor and the way Stephen moved about, trying to get the best shots of his subject. I managed to interview the singer while she changed clothes and posed for the shots. The entire experience was enlightening. I learned that night that photography is not at all as easy as I had previously thought. It’s a lot of work. But Stephen is dedicated to his craft and its that dedication that has made him a success.

You and I met at a New York Fashion Week event, but you’re not just a fashion photographer. What kind of photographer did you set out to be when you began? Was it fashion?

Yes. Outside the iconic Spring Studio.

When I started out I always knew I wanted to be a fashion/celebrity photographer. I started off doing landscape photography but inside I knew something more magical was in my future. I still love doing landscape photos and that alone has evolved into property and real estate photography. I find that type of photography very relaxing but fashion/celebrity photography is what drives me.

Do you remember your first camera? Did you start off with, maybe, a disposable camera?

Yes! I do. It was a Mini 110 mm film Spy Camera from a Burger King happy meal in the early 1980s. It was one of my favorite Burger Kings up in Peekskill, New York. The photos from the camera were horrible but something was triggered in me and it stayed with me ever since.

What kind of equipment are you working with these days, and do you have a particular go-to camera?

I now only use Canon mirrorless cameras. My go-to camera is a Canon R5.

You introduced me to some interesting people, the evening that we met. Who are some of the most interesting people you’ve met in your career?

Very hard question. I find everyone I work with to be very interesting in their own way. I have had priceless experiences with some of the most well-known people in the world. Moments I keep in my heart and those moments are forever locked away. This is an impossible question to answer because of the range of outstanding experiences I’ve had. But I shot everything from fashion models to the art of bondage. Everyday people to celebrities. I’ve been in life-threatening situations. I’ve seen so much stuff you just hear about in movies. It’s unreal. That’s why it’s hard to select a few specific people.

Did you ever, at some point, have a “holy shit” moment when you knew that you had arrived? That you had finally become a ‘real’ photographer?

Yes and that moment came very very recently. Keep in mind… I am nowhere close to where I want to be. I have such larger goals. But I was recently talking to a fellow artist and there was a second where I thought about the beginning of my path in contrast to where I'm at now and my mind was blown. It’s good to appreciate and be thankful for your progress but you must always be a student of your craft and stay hungry.

What are some of the challenges you faced during your journey towards being a pro photographer?

The biggest challenge was not knowing anyone or what to do in the industry. I learned how to use a pro camera from one book. Everything else was YouTube. I knew no one. At all. I also started this journey later in life. I was forty when I started my business. This whole fashion and entertainment world has been going on for decades and there are thousands and thousands of photographers out there. So what makes me different? That’s where I had the most challenges. It wasn’t until I realized it was most important to be myself. Be the one that stands out. Be the one that has fun with this gift. Be the one that makes everyone happy and feel special while on set. Be the one that knows everyone in the business. Be the one that moves like water among this ride I’m on.

It seems to me that you have a particular style, which, when I first started to have an appreciation for photography, I thought was amazing. The fact that photographers, like painters, can (and do) have recognizable styles. Have you noticed that you have a style of your own?

One of my favorite things to do is research whoever or whatever it is i’m shooting beforehand then make sure I deliver something unlike they ever had. I love straying towards the darker side of models and/or brands. You’ll see a lot of heavy dark shadows in most of my work unless the client specifically details otherwise. I love to capture emotion as well. When I connect with my subject the results are always amazing.

I know you must have had quite a few exciting photoshoots, is there any that stand out in particular? Something unexpected?

One of my favorite photoshoots was a recent shoot with rapper Styles P and his wife Adjua Styles. I have been a fan of his music for years. I had to try not to geek out. (laughter) It was a beautiful shoot and such an honor getting to know him and his wife.

Do you favor a specific type of photoshoot, i.e. studio, location, red carpet, etc?

I love doing location shoots. Every location is so different and I always discover new ideas and friends. The more challenging it is to shoot at the location the better. Not only does it sharpen my blade it also expands my portfolio for my customers. They know they are hiring someone who can perform (shoot) anywhere or anything.

What would you say the best thing about being a photographer is?

The absolute best thing about being a photographer is meeting new people and experiencing many different unique situations with those people. That is the true payoff. To be part of these people’s lives at a time they need to expand their own brand or personality footprint. I love giving someone a piece of my artistic view.

To schedule a session with Stephen or see more of his work, follow this link to his website. Follow Stephen’s updates on Instagram.