Photographer Mark Mahaney, known for working with clients like Nike and Time magazine, talks about his recent cover shoot for Time featuring Martin Scorsese. He discusses using reference materials in photography, the pros and cons of sharing work in progress during a shoot, and the balance between compensation and personal satisfaction in jobs. He also shares insights on family support, transitioning to full-time photography, building relationships, and the importance of personal projects in honing skills.
Being an assistant provides valuable skills and insights, allowing photographers to learn from professionals and build relationships.
Balancing budget and creative satisfaction is crucial in commercial photography to ensure both fair compensation and quality work.
Post-processing plays a significant role in realizing a photographer's vision, allowing for refinement and adding a personal touch.
Setting oneself apart in a saturated industry requires finding a unique voice and creating a consistent body of work.
Deep dives
Assisting and Learning from a Portrait Photographer
Mark Mahaney starts his photography journey by working as an assistant for portrait photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. He values the experience and learning opportunities as an assistant and develops a close relationship with Timothy, who becomes a mentor figure. Mark emphasizes the importance of being an assistant, gaining practical skills, learning to handle different situations, and observing how professionals interact with clients and subjects.
Balancing Budget and Quality of Work
Mark understands the significance of budget in commercial photography but believes that it should not compromise the quality of the work. He looks for jobs that meet his criteria of both adequate compensation and the opportunity to produce content he is happy with. Mark emphasizes the need to be a good business person, clearly communicate, pour oneself into each project, and deliver the best possible photographs while maintaining a positive and professional approach to client discussions.
Continuous Growth and Post-Process Exploration
Mark's satisfaction with a shoot is not immediate, as he acknowledges the importance of the post-process in realizing the full potential of his images. He constantly revisits previous work and revamps images through post-production, allowing him to inject his style and ensure the desired final outcome. Mark considers post-processing as an opportunity to perfect the images, enhance details, and evoke a specific feeling, often resulting in a significant difference between the raw files and the final product.
Building a Personal Brand and Setting Yourself Apart
Mark emphasizes the necessity of setting oneself apart in a saturated industry and finding a personal voice as a photographer. He draws inspiration from various sources, avoids emulating others' work, and focuses on creating a unique narrative within his images. Mark believes that following trends can lead to unintentional appropriation, and instead, he aims to develop a recognizable style that distinguishes his photographs. He gives importance to being inspired by the past, honing his craft, and creating a consistent body of work.
The importance of communication and asking for help
The podcast episode discusses the importance of being a good communicator in the photography industry. The speaker emphasizes the need for clear communication and the willingness to ask for help. They share personal experiences of how effective communication and seeking assistance from others have played a significant role in their career.
Documenting the polar night in Alaska
The podcast delves into the photographer's experience of documenting the polar night in Alaska. They highlight the challenges of shooting in extreme weather conditions and share their approach to capturing the unique environment during this period of extended darkness. The photographer also reflects on the intention behind the images and the inclusion of a controversial portrait in the project.
Reflections on the industry and plans for the future
The episode concludes with the photographer expressing their concerns about the current state of the photography industry, particularly in commercial projects. They discuss the dysfunction they have observed and express their desire to create their own creative studio to pursue work that aligns with their artistic vision. The speaker reflects on the importance of taking a step back and reevaluating one's approach to work in order to seek better ways of doing things.
On today's podcast I speak to photographer Mark Mahaney. Mark has worked with clients such as Nike, Levi's,Google, Time magazine, and GQ to name a few. In this episode I speak to Mark about his recent cover shoot for Time magazine where he photographed Martin Scorsese. I also speak to Mark about his time working as a photo assistant, how he approaches his business, and much much more.
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www.markmahaney.com
@mahaney_mark
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