Michael Wayne Portman

Michael Wayne Portman Sr., devoted husband, father and grandfather, fiercely loyal son, brother and friend, and esteemed architectural photographer, passed away on June 14, 2026, at his home in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 79 years old.

Born January 11, 1947, in Atlanta, Michael was the son of renowned architect and developer John Calvin Portman Jr. and Joan "Jan" Portman. He grew up in the city his family would help transform.

Michael graduated from The Lovett School in Atlanta, where his senior yearbook captured him better than anyone could have predicted: "To meet him is an experience, and to know him is an adventure." It proved true for the rest of his life. He went on to study architecture at the University of Tennessee and industrial management at Georgia Tech, before earning a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Georgia State University.

Michael began his career in property management, serving first as building manager and later as general manager of Peachtree Center, the 18.9 million square foot mixed-use landmark in downtown Atlanta. He went on to join Portman Development in a new business development role, before devoting himself fully to a deeper calling: architectural photography, where he found his truest passion and his proudest accomplishment. The striking images that fill Portman's websites and portfolios today exist because of his eye and his patience; he would wait for hours in a single spot, often perched in precarious positions atop buildings most people wouldn't dare attempt, all in pursuit of the perfect shot. For eighteen years, Michael served as lead photographer for John Portman and Associates and Portman Holdings, and his work extended to projects by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Antoine Predock, the European Landscape Architecture Network, and many other distinguished firms. He was a member of the Photographic Society of America and the Aperture Foundation.

Known to family and friends by an affectionate collection of nicknames, Jody and Deke among them, Michael was unapologetically himself and

fiercely loyal to those he loved. He was a humble man, the kind who never needed credit but was always, reliably there the moment you actually needed him. Away from the camera, he was a gifted tennis and golf player and an ardent sports fan, devoted in particular to the Tennessee Volunteers, the Braves, and the Falcons; his favorite pastime was sitting on the couch watching these games with his loving wife, Kate, and their beloved dog, Josie, nuzzled beside them. He was also a huge music fan, which earned him yet another nickname: Old Rocker. He loved seeing live music with family and friends, and he had a special ringtone song picked out for those close to him. Back in the day, he would regularly sing Emerson, Lake & Palmer's "Lucky Man" to his daughter Nicole on the drive to school: what a lucky man he was.

Michael is survived by his devoted wife, Kate Portman; his son, Michael Portman Jr. and daughter-in-law, Brady; his daughter, Nicole Portman; and his grandchildren, Wayne and Ryan Portman. He is also survived by his siblings Jeff Portman, Jana Portman Simmons, and Jarel Portman, and by countless friends and extended family members fortunate to have known him. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Calvin Portman Jr. and Joan "Jan" Portman; his brother Jae Portman; and his brother John Calvin "Jack" Portman III. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Michael’s honor to a charity of your choice.