Meet Photographer Mark Katzman

Aug 12

Meet Photographer Mark Katzman

Photo by Mark Katzman for California Almonds

We have another wickedly talented photographer to share with you today: the always amazing Mark Katzman. Mark started photography when he was just in elementary school and spent most of his childhood in the darkroom in his house. His big break came almost accidentally, when he photographed supermodel Cheryl Tiegs during a photoshoot. With those photos, he became the photo editor of his high school newspaper, with a classmate who went on to be a writer at the New York Times and sent Mark some assignments with the paper in 1986.

Since then, Mark has gone on to photograph for major clients like AT&T, Jack Daniels, Ritz-Carlton, the US Marines, FedEx, and Lowe's and has won some awards along the way. He is also passionate about photogravure, a historical photographic process, and works on preserving it at his Art of the Photogravure website.

We recently worked with Mark on a shoot for FedEx and he was wonderful to work with. Read on to learn more about the magnificent Mark Katzman.

Photo by Mark Katzman for Princess Cruises

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR ART AND HOW YOU GOT INVOLVED WITH COMMERCIAL WORK AND PHOTOGRAPHY?

In third grade my family moved into a house that had a darkroom. My father started using it and I tagged along. Developing pictures of friends on the elementary school playground became my thing. After college, I was aimless so one day I picked up the Yellow Pages (look it up kids) and called every photographer in the city asking if I could sweep their floors for free. One said ok. Three years later we became partners and opened a studio together.

Photo by Mark Katzman for Nordic Tourism Collective

WHAT WAS A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?

The toughest part of this industry is getting the first big break. Mine came when a friend from high school became a reporter for the New York Times and talked them into giving me an assignment. That opened a lot of doors.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE SET TO WORK ON AND WHY?

Hard to pick one, but the magnificent ballroom of Catherine Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia is up there. My crew and I basically had to work covertly pretending we were there as guests to see an intimate classical concert—it was sublime and unnerving. I guess my favorite sets are not sets at all but real, spectacular places. Makes it easy.

WHAT IS ONE OF THE PROUDEST MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

Making the last payment for putting three kids through college; The CA Photography Annual cover; The publication of Fires, Fuel, and the Fate of 3 Billion (Oxford University Press) addressing the issue of global energy poverty. There are a lot. I am lucky.

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER THINGS YOU ENJOY WHEN YOU AREN’T ON SET?

After so many years on the road, I enjoy simplicity. Being with my family and friends. Keeping healthy. Collecting photography. And cocktail hour (or two) - definitely cocktail hour.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING ON SET?

Synergy. Crew is family. Each set is different because typically crews are different. I find amazing synergy when everyone on set is great at what they do, hard workers and most importantly are focused on the task at hand. Working together like that creates synergy—like a group ‘mission’—and this synergy is bonding and brings people close together, even if only for one shoot. It’s a great vibe when it happens.

WHAT DOES #PONYUP MEAN TO YOU?

Ha! Well I always took Pony Up to mean put your money where your mouth is - or pay your share, etc. But in the context of Plaid Pony, perhaps it means you will pay up with the expertise, reliability, skill and fun that you bring to a project.

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
I have been shooting like crazy for FedEx. They are amazing. Also making a video for the Library of Congress about the work I collect - so fun stuff.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR FANS MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Well first of all, that would require that I have fans. But if I did, they may not know that early in my career I only shot still life. I proudly claimed in an interview I shoot “anything that does not move.”

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU PROVIDE FOR FUTURE PHOTOGRAPHER?

Oh boy. This is a tough one. I am cynical and have a lot of opinions. First is, don’t do it if you don’t live and breath photography. If you do live and breathe photography, try to find a path for your work that balances your unique voice with a style and subject matter that consumer brands want. In other words - make sure your work has a paying audience. Then just work your ass off, take chances, market, form personal relationships with clients, and hope you get a few lucky breaks. Oh, and be prepared to fight for work your entire career and never feel secure as the industry changes faster than you can say ’cheese'. Besides that - piece of cake!