We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Moloney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
FilterGrade came about as a way to help photographers, and then all creators, earn money online for their digital products. The idea is to build the simplest platform to sell online through a marketplace. We’re trying to reduce friction for influencers and creators looking to launch digital products quickly and just get a link that they can promote.

The thought process was really about how difficult it can be at times just to get a product live on the internet, so you can make money as quickly, and effortlessly as possible.

On the marketplace you can find millions of photo filters, presets, video templates, color grading LUTs, graphic design assets, and a lot of other cool digital products. The more that are added, the more valuable this platform becomes to buyers and sellers. The goal is to provide a sustainable income to millions of creatives around the world. So far we are making a dent, but there is a long way to go.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m really excited about my photography and videos taken around the world. Over the years I have visited a lot of different places and I want to continue doing this over time to capture moments and visuals from every continent and as many countries as possible. Some of my favorite photos are from Greece, France, St. John USVI, Puerto Rico, different states across the US, and Germany.

I learned a lot on this journey to becoming a professional photographer and filmmaker. It has not been easy and there have been lots of setbacks. One of the biggest lessons I learned was to be patient and understand that everything takes time. Every day is a chance to get better and to get your reps in. I’m trying to get as many reps as I possibly can. 24/7/365.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite spots in Boston all revolve around the water. I particularly love walking around Castle Island which is a walkway and path near the ocean and harbor. You can watch the planes come in and get your steps in. It’s magical during sunrise/sunset.

I also love walking and biking near the Charles River which is called the Esplanade. It’s a wonderful and busy area full of runners, walkers, skaters, bikers, and everybody else.

For food, you have to try the North End. It’s Boston’s Little Italy and is full of delicious and authentic Italian food. Later in the week, we can explore Southie and the South End. Both have great food scenes and Southie has bars if you want a little more fun and partying while you’re in Boston.

The museums are also worth seeing. I particularly love the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum.

Finally, you can’t forget about Fenway! Let’s go to a baseball game and enjoy the vibes of the stadium.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to take a moment to shoutout my family. My mom, dad, and brother have been instrumental in helping me on this journey as an entrepreneur and I really appreciate all the listening over the years. They really have consoled me at my worst times and supported me at my best.

I also want to specifically thank my friend Imani Grace King from South Carolina for her help in supporting our creative production company! She is a talented and kind soul and deserves the world.

Website: https://filtergrade.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmolo/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikejmoloney

Twitter: https://x.com/moloneymike

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@filtergrade

Other: https://moloneycreativeagency.com
https://psdfilm.com

Image Credits
All images by Matthew Moloney

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