From Modeling to Production: Michael Patenaude's Journey (Including His $400 First Dates)
When Michael Patenaude first got into modeling, he wasn't in it for the art. In fact, he openly admits he was never passionate about modeling itself - it was the lifestyle it afforded him that kept him going for years. Eventually, as work began to slow down, he found himself at a crossroads. That's when he made the pivot from being in front of the camera to working behind the scenes.
1. The Modeling Years
During his modeling days, Michael spent countless hours doing e-commerce shoots - standing on concrete barefoot, changing outfits 30-40 (sometimes up to 70) times per day, and repeating the same poses over and over against white backgrounds. While grateful for the opportunities, he knew this wasn't his true calling. With more of a business mindset than a creative one, he began looking for his next step.
2. The Leap into Production
His older brother suggested production as a potential career path, and Michael jumped in headfirst. His first break came through a chance conversation during a Brooks Running shoot, where a stylist connected him with an opportunity in TV production. This led to his first gig - a five-week contract on "Love is Blind" Season 4 in Seattle. Though it was the lowest-paying gig ever, working 65 hours a week, it proved to be an invaluable experience.
The production world immediately clicked for Michael. Managing a team of eight people on set, he describes his role as putting together puzzle pieces - coordinating photographers, deadlines, and various moving parts to ensure everything runs smoothly. It was a chance to finally use his brain in a way that felt meaningful and challenging.
3. Life as a Photography Producer
Now, as a photography producer, Michael has found his groove. He works with a team he describes as "incredible," including his photographer and art director who have become like "big sisters" to him. Being the youngest on a team of seven women has created an interesting dynamic, but one he thoroughly enjoys.
The job keeps him on his toes - whether it's coordinating with hair and makeup artists, managing deadlines, or ensuring everything runs efficiently on set. While he admits to occasionally dropping the ball (like that time he left someone hanging on an email about availability), he's constantly looking for ways to improve and make processes more efficient.
4. The Famous $400 First Date
Outside of work, Michael's adventures in dating have become somewhat legendary. There was the memorable $390 first date (not quite $400, as he precisely points out) that involved multiple venues, including a fancy French seafood restaurant called Jacqueline in Southeast Portland. The night included everything from playing pool to spontaneously securing a hard-to-get reservation for a chef's tasting menu.
Then there was the attempted home-cooked dinner date where everything that could go wrong did - from a malfunctioning meat thermometer to overcooked pork chops and watery mushroom sauce. At least the garlic bread was a success!
5. The History Buff
When he's not on set or planning elaborate first dates, Michael dives deep into historical literature. His current fascination? Cold War spies. He's particularly intrigued by the stories of Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames, infamous double agents in the FBI and CIA. This interest in history, especially military history, was influenced by his father's 20-year Air Force career as a PJ (Para-rescue man).
His reading habits reflect his thorough nature - when he gets into a topic, he doesn't just read one book but multiple perspectives on the same subject. From Ruby Ridge to Waco and the Oklahoma City bombing, his historical interests often interconnect in fascinating ways.
6. Looking Forward
At 33, Michael feels he's finally found his calling in production. While he sometimes regrets not joining the military, he sees a future in his current field, possibly even moving into film production someday. His experience working on "Love is Blind" gave him a taste of larger productions, insight into life managing teams of 120+ people, and he's hungry for more.
Currently, he's focusing on several personal goals: improving his communication with family (especially with his parents in South Carolina and his brother in Pittsburgh), getting better at managing his finances (despite having a finance degree LOL), and considering taking up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to build more discipline and consistency in his life. (I aim to help him with this part)
7. Lessons Learned
Michael's journey from modeling to production showcases how following your gut can lead to unexpected but rewarding paths. While he admits to sometimes giving up easily on things, his commitment to his new career has remained strong. He's found that when working for others, he pushes himself harder than he might for himself alone - a realization that's helped him excel in his producer role.
The transition wasn't just about changing careers; it was about finding where his natural talents and interests truly lie. Now, instead of standing in front of the camera, he's the one making sure everything behind it runs smoothly - and he couldn't be happier about that change.
His story reminds us that sometimes the best career moves aren't the ones that pay the most initially, but the ones that challenge us and allow us to grow. Whether it's taking a pay cut for the right opportunity, spending (perhaps too much) on a memorable date, or diving into new interests, Michael's approach to life seems to be: if it feels right, go for it - just maybe keep the meat thermometer working if you're cooking dinner for someone special.