Michael Daft’s serious interest in photography began in college as a photographer for The Maneater, the University of Missouri student newspaper. During his college years and after he has photographed wherever and whenever possible.
In 2008 his first solo exhibition, titled “Three Historic Parks” was sponsored by his employer, Barnes-Jewish Hospital through their Arts + Healthcare Program. His work was included in the BJC annual calendar, and is included in their corporate collection. Since 2008 his work has appeared in more than 50 juried and non-juried exhibitions, including at St. Louis Artists’ Guild, Art St. Louis, The Foundry, Framations Art Gallery, The Scenic Regional Gallery at Hermann MO, Meramec Community College, and The Sheldon Art Galleries. In 2021 he had a solo show “Color and Light” at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild.
He worked as a photographer for B-Raines Construction and Roofing, Campbell House Museum, Hayward Baker Geotechnical Construction, and Magic Chef Mansion LLC.
He was privileged to do production theater photography for Strut and Fret Productions, Citilites Theatre, New Line Theatre, Hydeware Theatre, Metro Theater Company, and West End Players Guild.
He has given back to his neighborhood by being the photographer for more than a dozen Grand South Grand and Compton Heights house tours, and provided photo restoration for the Compton Hill Water Tower Foundation.
He is a top contributor to the online photo group “The Monochromist”.
An eclectic photographer, his mantra is that he photographs “anything that moves … or anything that doesn’t”. Michael has volunteered as an associate curator at IPHF since it came to St. Louis in 2013.