REPUBLISH of our interview with long time DWF Pro Member and DWF U Live speaker Cliff Mautner.
DWF – Let’s start off with a little bio, tell us a little bit about yourself.
CLIFF - Originally from NYC, I spent most of my youth growing up in Central NJ. I wound up in the Philadelphia area while attending college. I graduated with an undergrad degree in Law/Justice, which preps you for absolutely nothing! I picked up my first camera at age 7 during a family vacation in Washington D.C. I bugged the crap out of my parents until they bought me a little toy camera for $1.00. I was hooked. I began shooting professionally during college at age 19 for a small, weekly newspaper. The Philadelphia Inquirer hired me 2 years later, and I shot 6000 assignments in my 15 year career there. I loved photojournalism. Now, I love weddings just as much, if not more after about 700 of them. I typically shoot 50-60 per year, and i don’t see myself slowing down for a while. Teaching has also become a huge passion, and I’ve had some amazing opportunities on that front. I can’t possibly imagine what I’d do if I weren’t a photographer. I don’t think the world needs another Jewish lawyer, that’s for sure! On the personal front, I’m a dad, first and foremost. I live in my studio- an old converted church- with my amazing 12 year old daughters.
DWF – How did you become a wedding photographer?
CLIFF - Well, the truth is, I kinda went kicking and screaming into this business. Wedding photography was probably the last genre on my mind. But, then, after 15 years with the Philadelphia Inquirer, the newspaper union felt the need to shake things up, and I got caught in the number crunch game and was laid off. I did what most out of work photojournalist do- shoot anything and everything they can in order to stay afloat. I shot a boatload of editorial and commercial work, but also shot a few weddings for a local Philly studio. I quickly figured out that I should do it myself. 11 years and 700 or so weddings later, I’m still incredibly passionate about what I do. It was a pretty natural transition for me, but I really had to search for a style. Coming from the PJ world, initially I felt the need to just document the day with a very hands off- detached approach. Over the past few years, I think I’ve evolved into a photographer, not just a photojournalist. Wedding photography has helped me become better, and I really believe I’m continuing to improve
DWF- Who or what inspires you as an artist?
CLIFF - Those who have heard me speak know that I don’t really follow other wedding shooters. I don’t peruse photoblogs or websites. I have tremendous respect for many, not the least of which are Parker Pfister, Marcus Bell, Greg Gibson, Susan Stripling, Yervant, Jerry Ghionis, Joe Buissink, Ben Chrisman, and so many others too numerous to mention. However, I’m a huge believer in gaining inspiration from other art forms. Films, for example, are huge for me. The Godfather, Scorsese’s stuff , Jim Jarmusch’s films, many things directed by Clint Eastwood, and I can’t forget Spielberg. I was blown away with the photography in Schindler’s list. Vogue, Elle, and so many other great magazines are inspiring as well. The great works of Chagall, Monet, and Mattisse blow me away with their use of light and texture. Any art form that utilizes great light and unique, simple composition strikes a cord with me. However, when it comes down to it, from a photographic standpoint, it boils down to my clients. We’re only as good as they are, really. We’re capturing the moments they give us. If I can call upon my own style to capture them in great light and unique composition, that’s what keeps me going from wedding to wedding and that’s what keeps me inspired.
DWF- If we needed a photographer today why would we book you? What makes you unique?
CLIFF - It’s really twofold. Without fear of sounding self serving, I’d have to say my skillset, and my passion for what I do. I’m incredibly proud of the fact that I can produce a high level work week in and week out. My background and experience enables me to adapt, anticipate, and react to whatever situation we encounter- be it photographically or otherwise. This business, and the craft in general, isn’t about 30 of our best pictures on a website. It’s about a level of professionalism that allows us to exceed client expectations no matter what we face. Dull subjects, harsh light, bad light, no light- NO EXCUSES. I’m my own worst critic. My goal, year after year, is to make one or two images per year that really touch ME. That’s a lofty goal. The byproduct is that I never let up. I bring an intensity with me that never allows me to be satisfied my last wedding because we’re only as good as our next. This, in turn, will produce a level of consistency that I can be proud of. My clients understand that I’m going to do everything I can to produce my best work every time I shoot.
DWF- If you had to pick a favorite “Tool of the Trade” what would it be? and why?
CLIFF - Hershey’s almond bars, of course. Gotta have a few in the bag. This is such a tough question. The tools we have now are so much more sophisticated than just a few short years ago. When Nikon put the D3 in my hands, it changed everything. The rules changes. Not only could I make pictures I could never make before, but I think about making pictures I could never think about making before. Between the amazing cameras we all have, and the phenomenal glass we shoot through, everyone is on an equal playing field because we can all buy the same gear. So, I’m going to say that my favorite tool is light. That’s what photography is, plain and simple. I love being able to use light to create texture, dimension, and mood. Light really is everything and it’s the most important tool for any of us. The use of light is a great way to separate yourself from the crowd.
DWF – Care to share your favorite photographs?
CLIFF -
(See Larger Versions Below)
DWF – How about some final words to live by?
CLIFF - It’s crowded out there- more so than ever. Go out and find your style. However, the only way to develop a style of your own is to make the technical elements and fundamentals of photography completely instinctive. You can’t think about this stuff. It has to come to you without processing it. That’s the only way you can create. If you’re so hung up on exposure values, lens selection, focusing, and all of that other nonsense, you’re not thinking about composing an image. Nail down your skillset before you nail down your fancy blog, social networking, or sales techniques. Walk before you run. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Location – Philadelphia
Business Name – Cliff Mautner Photography
Websites - www.cmphotography.com
Blog - cliffmautner.typepad.com
Interested in learning more? Cliff will be presenting an in-depth 8 hour long session at DWF U Live San Diego. Click for more details
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8 Comments at "DWF U Live Speaker Cliff Mautner"
Great interview !
I have always admired Cliff’s work and this just reminds us the path to great images is not just buying more gear, or wondering how to use every feature and function but to concentrate on the viewfinder.
Mike.
I’ve attended Cliff’s workshop and I can attest to Cliff’s passion to teach. If every teacher I’ve had in my life was just a little like Cliff, I’d probably have a few PHDs. His work is inspiring and his persona is so down to earth. Cheers Cliff and hope to bump into you at WPPI!
I also attended Cliff’s workshop and became a huge fan of him. He is an amazing photographer, passionate teacher and wonderful person! I learned so much from his workshop and became to feel much more comfortable about what I’m doing as a photographer.
Flew from Peru to attend Cliff´s workshop.
Best decision ever!
I hope I can attend Cliff’s workshop soon. Definitely top on my list. It amazes me how interesting Cliff’s work is without any of the trendy post stuff. I like that work too. I love Parker’s work but we’ll look back in 20 years and say “Parker genre ’00. I don’t think that’ll happen with Cliff. There’s just a few wedding photographers who transcend the genre and Cliff is one of them. He just takes great pictures and happens to be at a wedding when he does it. I try & steal his ideas and make them my own. I keep a folder in Lightroom of his work and I take time once or twice a month to add and study more of his work.
Thanks for setting the bar this high Cliff!
[...] wedding photographers on the planet has it’s perks! Nikon shooter and DWF convention speaker Cliff Mautner has posted a hands on review of the NEW Nikkor 70-200mm VR lens and he’s very clearly [...]
Hi Cliff, your photos are great, I just love your job.
My favorite class from WPPI 09 was Cliff’s! He is incredible at what he does.
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