We sat down with photographer, Michael Mundy, to talk about his work. Born and raised in New York City, Michael began his photographic journey in his late teens shooting rock bands in the East Village. He has shot for top magazines and clients around the world.
What is the biggest misnomer people have about photography? They have no idea how long it
takes to edit! The shoot is only part of the job!
Actually, shooting is a very personal thing for me. It's professional, but I have to be moved by my subjects. I have to feel something. I have to make a connection. I have to find something about the subject or room to fall in love with. If I'm in love with it, then it becomes something beautiful that I can engage with.
You work across several genres of photography, from interiors to fashion and portraiture. What do all of these have in common? I love beautiful things. It doesn't have to necessarily be a beautiful room or young woman it could be anything. I find the beauty no matter what in an object, a human, a room.
When shooting a portrait, what is your technique of getting "the picture"? How do you engage your subject? I always make myself as vulnerable as possible to make the person I'm shooting feel comfortable. I try to open up to them first, sharing something about myself. I never ask for something without offering something.
There's something about your work that comes across, like a sense of waiting or a calm politeness. I leave room for it—that moment or the person, or space—to exist. I don't try to put a stamp on it; I allow it to be what it is. I never try to make fun of things— or impose myself. I'm not about satire or comedy. I prefer things to be very pure— to leave things as they are. I also try to convey what I experience. If it's a beautiful afternoon, I try to bring that feeling into the picture.
What are the 3 things that you cannot live without when you travel on a job?
A white shirt
Passport, you never know when you’ll need it.
A great assistant!
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