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Article in the Oakland Business Review
By: Laurie Ryba
Monte Nagler
Monte Nagler Photography LLC
Many dream of chucking the daily grind of the office and turning their hobby into a successful business. Farmington Hills resident Monte Nagler is here to show it can be done.
At 42, he sold his two muffler shops to see if he could make a living as a fine arts photographer. Specializing in architecture and cultural settings, his photographic works have won many awards and are found in numerous public and private collections ranging from Compuware Corp. to the Detroit Institute of Arts. He has built his business by 1,000 percent since its inception in 1984.
Nagler also is a noted writer and teacher of photography and the author of three books.
Q.: How did you decide to make a go of it with photography?
A.: My first job after attending University of Michigan was at Ford as a product planner. I quit to go into my own business and bought two Midas Muffler shops.
I stumbled into photography at age 30 as a hobby. I became very involved in camera clubs and entered a lot of contests. I started teaching adult education classes and wrote a “how to” column for the Observer-Eccentric.
In 1979, I was accepted into a two week workshop to Yosemite with photographer Ansel Adams and during that trip I decided this is what I really wanted to do. I never did enjoy the muffler business. So I sold the shops, took a chance and continued on with photography doing even more exhibits and teaching.
Q.: Where is your studio?
A.: I work out of my house. My wife, who handles sales and marketing, has a part-time secretary and I have a part-time photography assistant. My studio also houses my extensive collection of original photos by famous photographers.
I’ve always enjoyed studying the history of photography and would become familiar with the work of up-and-coming photographers. Whenever I had an extra $100, I’d buy one of their photos. It is very inspiring to be surrounded by them.
Q.: How is your business set up?
A.: There are three divisions. The fine arts side includes exhibits I do, galas and sales from agents and interior decorators who represent me.
The second, which is really catching on, is “photos for healing” sold to hospitals, dental offices and medical facilities. I’ve done a lot of research on the art of healing and how to relax patients through photography. At Henry Ford Hospital, I did an entire wall mural heading to the MRI room. Hospital administrators tell me they are seeing patients have shorter hospital stays and fewer medications.
Last is the recognition program in which I work with companies, such as Whirlpool, who reward their top achievers with trips, which include a photo of the trip location taken by me.
Q.: What’s next for you?
A.: I have a trip to Vancouver and Seattle coming up for the annual meeting of Camera Craftsman of America. I may go to Texas in April for wildflower season for a hospital there interested in buying pictures from the local area. Next month, I start teaching my classes at the Birmingham Community House, Schoolcraft College and Brighton High School.
I am finishing a coffee table book that I am collaborating on with local novelist Loren Estleman, who writes novels that take place in Detroit area. I am taking photos of the landmarks that appear in his stories, such as the Monroe nuclear plant or Comerica Park, to run with an excerpt from his book. No two days are alike.
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