Cliff Mautner Photography

Featured on the [b] school blog!

It was a great honor this week to be featured on my friend and colleague Becker's [b] school blog.  The [b] school is a great resource for photographers and it was really flattering to be asked to contribute.  The video below is my interview with Becker where he asks me about how I've developed a style of shooting with harsh light to create texture, dimension, and mood. We also talked about how I work to build relationships with venues and other wedding professionals.  Becker, a Southern California Photographer is one of the brightest, most innovative people I know. His new [b] school is really a phenomenal resource for photographers. Stop on by the [b] school to check it out  - and you can also watch the video interview below.  Thanks, [b]!

2.9.08- Erin and Scott- Park Hyatt at the Bellevue- Philadelphia PA

When I first began working with Erin and Scott, we weren't sure if Scott would be able to come in to the country! Scott is from the U.K., and our wonderful government made it real difficult on Scott to get across the pond, but it all worked out in the end. This was an awesome day, with a ton of great light and a dynamic couple. I really love a few if these images and here's a few from the day. As usual, the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue did a wonderful job.

D3, 14-24 2.8- I LOVE this lens. Sharpest zoom I've ever used

D3, 28mm 1.4, ISO 3200. NO FLASH

1.7.08- Imaging USA and Digital Wedding Forum Conventions-Tampa FLA

What a week! Wednesday, I returned home after a whirlwind of speaking in Tampa Florida. I was honored to speak at the Professional Photographers of America's Imaging USA convention. Over 9000 photographers from all over the world gathered to learn, share, and party! PPA asked me to do a platform presentation for their members. My seminar entitled "Standing out from the Crowd", drew standing room only crowds at 7am!!! I was stunned at the attendance and I was equally stunned that I was awake for it! I had a blast and the crowd was terrific. What a tremendous experience.

In addition to that seminar, I also represented the Nikon Corporation and spoke Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday on their tradeshow stage. I've been a spokesperson for Nikon for the past few years. It's honestly the biggest honor of my career to represent them. I was joined by the one and only Joe McNally and the amazing wildlife photographer Ron McGill.

I was also honored to speak for the Digital Wedding Forum's 4th annual convention which was held 8 miles from Imaging USA. My seminar there was entitled "Hot Sun, Cool Images". It was a lecture and a demonstration on how to capture images in incredibly difficult lighting conditions.

I did three seminars on Monday! 7am, I was on the stage for PPA, 12noon on the stage for Nikon, and 2pm for the Digital Wedding Forum, and I squeezed in 2 mentor sessions to help other photographers as well!  Lets just say that martinis were inhaled by day's end.

Of course, a little bit of fun should be mixed in. I had a blast with some great friends. It was great to see Marcus Bell, Jeff and Julia Woods, Steve and Jen Bebb, Ryan Joseph, Parker Pfister, Joe Buissink, Susan Stripling, Michael Schuhmann, Greg Gibson, and so many others. Special thanks to my buddy from Nikon, Mike Corrado, for a terrific dinner Sunday evening.

My next speaking gig will be in Las Vegas at WPPI. I'll be a print judge for the Photojournalism competition and I'll be doing a master class on "Demystifying Flash". That seminar is sold out already.

Special thanks to my great friend Susan Stripling for capturing these while I was speaking for Nikon

Special thanks to David DiRentis for these photos. These were shot while teaching my Digital Wedding Forum Seminar on Monday afternoon.

9.21.07 I've got a new toy!!!!

While I'm not one to blog too much about personal stuff, I can't hold back my excitement about the fact that I'm the first wedding or portrait photographer in the country to have Nikon's newest flagship camera- The D3. I'll be speaking for Nikon at their tradeshow booth at Photoplus Expo in New York.

I'm humbled, truly, to be sharing a stage at Photoplus with legendary photographers Dave Black and Joe McNally. Dave's techniques for painting with light have amazed me for some time. Joe McNally, in my opinion, just might be the best all around photographer on the planet. I'll also be joined by Rosanne Penella, who is a wonderful  travel photographer. I'm not sure if there's a country she hasn't been to and her work is awesome. Nikon will also have Tony Corbell on hand. Tony is a legendary photographer and educator and terrific all around guy. He's been a leading teacher of light for decades. If you want to see some truly phenomenal work, take a peak at their sites.

Anyway, being the technogeek that I am, I'm incredibly stoked to test drive this camera for Nikon. I just hope I'm able to produce some worthy images for them. I've had it for 24 hours now and I have to say, I truly believe it will live up to it's hype. I'll be posting some images on my blog early next week and I plan on testing the highly touted high ISO performance of this baby. As for my initial handling of the D3, I can honestly say that it's the most responsive camera I've every had in my hands. I was skeptical when they told me it would focus faster than the D2xs, but sure enough, it does. I'll post a more thorough impression after I put it to a real world test this weekend!!  If anyone is interested in learning more about his camera, this is a good site. Here's me acting like an absolute idiot while holding my new toy seconds after I opened the box!

The Lighting and Skillset Bootcamp- October Bootcamp SOLD OUT!! Accepting Registrants for April 2010

NOW REGISTERING FOR THE SPRING BOOTCAMP- April 20th-April 22nd in Haddonfield NJ. This workshop is now open for registration.

For those interested please call the studio @ 856-428-4268 for information and registration.

I'm amazed at the growth and the international response of the Lighting and Skillset Bootcamp. Attendees are traveling from all over the world. My most recent August Bootcamp was graced with students from California, Great Britain, Peru, and a U.S. contingency from coast to coast. The upcoming fall bootcamp has quite an international flavor as well.  Please call us with any questions. Thanks to all those former students who've spread the word!! 

During the past few years since I've been doing workshops and seminars, the most common denominator for all of my students has been the need to develop their own style.  After 26 years of shooting I've come to believe the only way to accomplish this is to become one with your camera.  Seeing with your mind's eye is a lot different than just looking through your viewfinder.  In order to accomplish the former, a photographer's skillset must be first and foremost before they can begin developing their own style.

The goal of this workshop is for every photographer in attendance to drastically improve their skills and give them the confidence to go after their own style. 

The workshop will feature:

-  Various technical aspects and a deeper understanding of your gear.
-  A multitude of creative flash techniques.
-  Lighting your subjects from noon to midnight.
-  Live bridal shoots on location in Philadelphia.
-  Individual hands-on instruction during shoots.
-  Techniques in capturing the essence of our clients.

Other topics covered will be:

-  Client interaction and relationships.
-  Sales presentation skills including a mock presentation.
-  Building a referral base through vendor/partner relationships.
-  Client retention.
-  Workflow from capture to proof.

This two-and-a-half-day workshop will take place at my new studio in Haddonfield, New Jersey on October 27th, 28th, and half day on the 29th, with an opening reception in the evening of October 26th for those who can attend.  The workshop will begin at 9am and go until we drop on the 27th and 28th and will end midday on the 29th.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided all three days.  Reasonably priced hotel accommodations are within moments of the studio and a referral list can be provided upon request. 

Tuition is $1,700 and attendance will be limited for more individual attention.

$850 is due upon registration and the balance will be due three weeks prior to the workshop.

Here's a few comments on my work, seminars, and workshops.

American PHOTO Magazine-"one of the top ten wedding photographers in the world"

WPPI- Cliff Mautner is "one of the top photographers and educators in the world"

Marcus Bell-"“Cliff is a pure craftsman with the lens and exhibits an amazing eye to capture the perfect moment.  Cliff has been able to turn these rare talents into an incredible business with a solid vision for the future.   A workshop with Cliff would fast track you to the big time.”

Joe Buissink-"Cliff sees light like nobody I've ever met"

Ray Prevost-"It amazes me when I hear new photographers complain about the bad locations and the lousy lighting they have to work with at weddings. What that tells me is that they need to learn the skills that are part of this profession. I can think of no better person to teach you to "deal with it" than Cliff Mautner. He does more than just deal with "bad light", he makes it into good light by using it to add drama and interest in his images. Even guys like me, who know where to find the good light, can learn how to do something other than run for the shade. I've learned much from Mr. Mautner.

COMMENTS FROM ATTENDEES:

"I also attended last weeks workshop and it's hard to put into words what a life changing experience it was. The whole concept of "good" light is out the window, Cliff shows us how to make any light "good light". As he say's as a wedding photographer your job is to catch the moments and you can't always afford to wait until the light is just right. He made shooting in direct midday sun not only ok but artistic, and beautiful. My confidence is way up from this, and I had several "aha" moments. Cliff obviously truly cared about each and everyone of us getting it. We got the feeling that he would have stayed with us all night until we got it if need be. He was very concerned with all of us having a great experience and took care of every detail of the workshop. He was a complete open book, and a very humble guy considering the huge talent and sucess he is. We even got to sit in on a real wedding inquiry meeting to see exactly how he conducts those."

"Cliff Mautner is beyond amazing. As a wedding photographer for the last 5 years, I learned more with cliff at this workshop in 3 days than I did in 5 years on my own. He will teach you how to see in ways you never even imagined. Turning the worst light into the most incredible advantage. I am so blown away that if Cliff ever offered another class, I would attend it even at double the price I paid. The quality of my work has taken a leap from where I was and my confidence is 10x what it was. I really believe I know what to do in any lighting challenge. I can't say enough other than to be at this class will give you an almost unfair advantage."

"Also, I don't think I've ever gone to a workshop or seminar where the host put so much effort into making sure EVERYONE'S needs were met. He left no stone unturned and logistically, the studio, the material, the food, drinks and everything else was fantastic.
As far as the content goes, he hit everything you could imagine. The class audience consisted of all levels of experience. From 25+ year professionals to people who are looking to take their hobby to the next level. From my conversations with my workshopmates, everyone felt they got their monies worth and a whole lot more."

For more information and to register please contact the studio at 609.560.0877 or via email.