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Press Kit

Verified show facts, bio, artist statement, CV, editorial image previews, publication-file instructions, and artist quotes are below and downloadable as a single PDF.

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Bio

Short bio (50 words)

Michael Hill is a Des Moines photographer whose Circular Light series uses glow-in-the-dark powder set in motion and captured in single long exposures. Hill is one of seven artists in In the Abstract at Olson-Larsen Galleries, on view July 31 through September 26, 2026.

Long bio (200 words)

Michael Hill is a photographer based in Des Moines, Iowa. He began his Circular Light series in his studio in January 2026, photographing glow-in-the-dark powder set in motion and captured in a single long exposure. Each image is unique, shaped by the placement of items, the platter's spin rate, the charge time, and the focus and exposure he pulls during the frame. The results are round, color-saturated abstractions, non-figurative and series-based, with related pieces that hang well together in groups of three, six, or nine.

Originally trained at Columbia College Chicago, Michael returned to Iowa and built a portfolio across portraiture, sports, events, nature, and fine art. Work from his Circular Light series is included in In the Abstract, a seven-artist group exhibition at Olson-Larsen Galleries in West Des Moines, on view July 31 through September 26, 2026. Michael is one of the seven participating artists. A prior work was placed through Moberg Gallery's corporate program in Des Moines.

Artist Statement

I began making these Circular Light photos in my studio in January 2026. I use glow-in-the-dark powder, set in motion and captured through a long exposure. Each photo is unique, with its own placement of items, platter spin rate, charge time, variable focus, and exposure. Experimentation, and a lot of obsessive repetition, has led to some unexpected and beautiful combinations.

Every image is a single frame from a Nikon Z8, shot at full resolution and finished in Lightroom for large-format archival printing. I have a lot of fun making these. I hope you enjoy them.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • Columbia College Chicago, BA Photography

Selected Exhibitions

  • 2026, In the Abstract, seven-artist group exhibition, Olson-Larsen Galleries, West Des Moines IA (July 31 through September 26)
  • 2025, Group show, Olson-Larsen Galleries, West Des Moines IA
  • 2024, Featured artist, Moberg Gallery corporate program, Des Moines IA

Selected Publications

Selected Gallery Activity

  • Olson-Larsen Galleries, West Des Moines IA (one of seven artists in In the Abstract, July 31 through September 26, 2026)
  • Moberg Gallery, Des Moines IA (past corporate program placement, 2024)

Editorial Image Set

Five hero images from the Circular Light series. Higher-resolution files are available on request for editorial use with credit, "Photo by Michael Hill, mhillphoto.com." Email mike@mhillphoto.com with the publication and the specific images you need.

Pull Quotes

"Each photo is unique, with its own placement of items, platter spin rate, charge time, variable focus, and exposure. Experimentation, and a lot of obsessive repetition, has led to some unexpected and beautiful combinations." Michael Hill, on the Circular Light series.
"I have a lot of fun making these. I hope you enjoy them." Michael Hill.

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