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In this episode, Dave Pearah talks with photographer Mike Killion about his journey from Great Lakes surf photography to capturing competitive shooting and firearm training, and how photo and video analysis help shooters improve performance
In this episode of Inside the Pew, Dave from Pewcentric sits down with photographer and videographer Mike Killion, founder of Mike Killion Photography. Mike shares how his creative career evolved from documenting Great Lakes surf culture to capturing competitive shooting events and firearm training.
Mike explains that photography has been part of his life for more than two decades. Early in his career he documented sports such as surfing, paintball, and endurance events, developing a deep understanding of athletic movement and action photography. That background naturally translated into photographing competitive shooting once he became more involved in the firearms community.
Today, Mike combines his passion for shooting sports with professional photography and videography. He captures dynamic images of competitions, training sessions, and firearm-related events while also producing high-end product photography and brand content.
One of Mike’s key strengths is understanding how shooters move during a stage. Because he participates in shooting sports himself, he knows where to position the camera, how to capture key moments safely, and how to tell the story of a match through images.
Mike also explains how photo and video analysis can help shooters improve performance. By reviewing body position, transitions, and movement, athletes can identify areas to refine and improve.
Through Pewcentric, Mike hopes to connect with competitive shooters, instructors, firearm brands, and training organizations who need high-quality visual content to document events, promote products, and analyze performance.
(0:00) you
(0:01) you
(0:06) Hey, Dave here from Pewcentric, the marketplace where firearms enthusiasts just like you discover unique gear, services, and training.
(0:13) Basically everything but the guns.
(0:15) Inside the Pew is our ongoing series of interviews with fascinating Pewcentric sellers.
(0:20) And today I'm joined by Mike Killion of Mike Killion Photography.
(0:23) Welcome, Mike.
(0:25) Thank you for having me, appreciate it.
(0:27) As always, we like to start at the beginning and we want to get a sense of your origin story and firearms and the connection to your new business in terms of photography.
(0:39) Yeah, I mean, I have an extensive background in kind of both, but really I took into the firearms industry more recently as an adult.
(0:48) As a kid, I grew up with a family from Minnesota that was all into hunting and shooting.
(0:52) I had a great grandpa that would go down to Arizona a lot and do a lot of different competitions and long distance stuff I think.
(0:59) So I was around it when I was a kid, but I never got into it until older.
(1:03) I was always interested in cameras and photography when I was a kid.
(1:06) My mom let me play with them forever.
(1:10) I got a video camera in sixth grade and would make little short videos with my friends all the time.
(1:18) Eventually I got into photography in high school and decided to pursue it as a career into college.
(1:36) I've been a photographer about 20 years or so.
(1:40) Through that time I've always taken my camera into the things I enjoy doing.
(1:44) The first was competitive paintball back in high school and college.
(1:49) I played almost every weekend.
(1:52) Shooting paintball guns made the transition into shooting sports pretty natural.
(2:05) Once I got my concealed carry license I transitioned into USPSA.
(2:12) That's how we met down at the Indiana sectional.
(2:21) I decided to bring my camera and capture something I love doing.
(2:27) I hoped to get into the industry, meet people, and give back to the community.
(2:31) Earlier in my career I documented surfing on Lake Michigan.
(2:38) That's actually where a lot of people know my work from.
(2:45) Surfing has taken a back seat recently with family and shooting sports.
(2:54) Now I focus more on archery, hunting, and USPSA competition.
(3:03) I want to continue documenting the hobbies and passions in my life.
(3:10) That includes shooting, hunting, trail running, and capturing moments with my kids.
(3:18) Photography has always been about capturing moments worth looking back on.
(3:25) More recently I've focused on improving as a competitive shooter while bringing my camera along.
(3:44) Dave and Mike review Mike's photography portfolio and social media work.
(4:01) Mike explains how he captures sequences of shooters to tell a story through multiple photos.
(4:40) He discusses photographing the Indiana Sectional match and capturing both staff day and match day.
(5:22) Bringing the camera to competitions allows him to document shooters and give back to the community.
(5:37) Many of Mike’s professional clients come from action sports brands such as Nike and Red Bull.
(6:02) He has worked on campaigns, sporting events, and outdoor sports photography.
(6:30) Mike's background includes documenting surfing culture across the Great Lakes.
(6:52) Dave asks what services Mike hopes to offer through Pewcentric.
(7:19) Mike explains he can document competitions, training sessions, and brand content.
(7:46) He also works with product photography for firearm brands and companies.
(8:26) Mike enjoys capturing stories through photography, especially adventure and outdoor experiences.
(9:04) He also offers services for individual shooters who want photos or video analysis of their training.
(9:17) Video analysis can help shooters improve body mechanics and performance.
(10:07) Dave explains that understanding the sport is critical when photographing shooting competitions.
(10:50) Mike agrees and says knowing the sport helps capture better images and tell stronger stories.
(11:14) Building relationships and understanding the environment leads to better photography results.
(11:37) Mike emphasizes that photography is about experience and storytelling, not just camera equipment.
(12:09) Dave thanks Mike for joining the conversation.
(12:13) Viewers can find Mike Killion Photography on Pewcentric.
(12:20) As always, please like and subscribe and we'll see you next time on Inside the Pew.
(12:27) Thanks from all of us at Pewcentric.
