‘Commitment leads to results, so make sure you goals are worthy’.
Sharing what I know and teaching my profession has always been something I’m passionate about.
It’s been over 30 years since I first picked up a camera. I remember clearly how hard it was to begin — I was insecure and clueless, but I knew I couldn’t spend one more day working in bars and restaurants. So I persisted, trying whatever I could to get a break.
It took a trip through Asia, where I ‘acted as if’ I was a photojournalist, to realise this career was the perfect fit for me. But the hardest part was still to come — the constant voice in my head asking, “Am I actually good enough for someone to pay me?”
Truth is, I still hear that voice. But what’s helped me push through is having mentors — people who’ve been there, done it, and believed in me even when I didn’t. A mentor is often the only thing standing between giving up and staying the course.
Doctors, musicians, even presidents and prime ministers all have mentors. But in photography, that culture has all but disappeared. Assistants are rarely hired anymore. The old meeting grounds — the labs, the studios, the Australian Centre for Photography — are gone. These spaces where people could learn, share, cross-pollinate ideas… they’ve vanished. So how do we connect now? Instagram? Really?
I could rattle off where I’ve been, who I’ve shot for, what awards I’ve won. But honestly, I’m over that. What I care about now is helping people realise their vision — because when they do, they inspire others, and the story keeps spreading. Good karma.
From my own experience, I know inspiration often strikes hard one day, but by the next, I’m scrolling through lunch options or talking myself out of everything I was excited about. These days, they call that Adult ADHD. But honestly? I don’t know a single photographer who doesn’t live somewhere between pure genius and total space cadet.
So how do you stay steady in a sea of competition, tech overwhelm, and scroll fatigue? Especially when the people closest to you — your well-meaning friends — try to talk you out of it? “It won’t work,” they say. “It’s too risky.” “AI will take your job.” I can already feel your confidence shrinking.
I’ve been lucky to have mentors — some great, some terrible. One of the most memorable moments of my early career came when I was cold-calling photographers, offering to work for free, just to learn. I was 25. One of them, I won’t name him, but I’ll call him George, or maybe that is his real name), Anyway ‘George’ told me I was too old to be an assistant, and that I should have started after high school. “Maybe you should stay in hospitality,” he said. “People always need to eat.”
Well, FUCK YOU! George.
People like you don’t get to decide who believes in their dreams. George became my anti-mentor — the voice I worked to prove wrong. He was with me through 20 years of teaching at the Australian Centre for Photography, through months with no income, through starting over in Europe, and again in Australia. And if you decide to pursue your vision with my help, I’ll show you how to recognise all the little Georges out there — and how to use them as fuel.
(And yes, I still have George’s number if you’d like to hear from a Naysayer.)
I’m not saying you have to choose me as your mentor. I’m saying: choose someone.
Don’t wait. Get that shit done now. Life is short.
I'm based on Sydney’s North Shore (AEST/GMT+10) and happy to meet in person or online via Zoom or Google Meet.
Let me know how I can help.
It’s been over 30 years since I first picked up a camera. I remember clearly how hard it was to begin — I was insecure and clueless, but I knew I couldn’t spend one more day working in bars and restaurants. So I persisted, trying whatever I could to get a break.
It took a trip through Asia, where I ‘acted as if’ I was a photojournalist, to realise this career was the perfect fit for me. But the hardest part was still to come — the constant voice in my head asking, “Am I actually good enough for someone to pay me?”
Truth is, I still hear that voice. But what’s helped me push through is having mentors — people who’ve been there, done it, and believed in me even when I didn’t. A mentor is often the only thing standing between giving up and staying the course.
Doctors, musicians, even presidents and prime ministers all have mentors. But in photography, that culture has all but disappeared. Assistants are rarely hired anymore. The old meeting grounds — the labs, the studios, the Australian Centre for Photography — are gone. These spaces where people could learn, share, cross-pollinate ideas… they’ve vanished. So how do we connect now? Instagram? Really?
I could rattle off where I’ve been, who I’ve shot for, what awards I’ve won. But honestly, I’m over that. What I care about now is helping people realise their vision — because when they do, they inspire others, and the story keeps spreading. Good karma.
From my own experience, I know inspiration often strikes hard one day, but by the next, I’m scrolling through lunch options or talking myself out of everything I was excited about. These days, they call that Adult ADHD. But honestly? I don’t know a single photographer who doesn’t live somewhere between pure genius and total space cadet.
So how do you stay steady in a sea of competition, tech overwhelm, and scroll fatigue? Especially when the people closest to you — your well-meaning friends — try to talk you out of it? “It won’t work,” they say. “It’s too risky.” “AI will take your job.” I can already feel your confidence shrinking.
I’ve been lucky to have mentors — some great, some terrible. One of the most memorable moments of my early career came when I was cold-calling photographers, offering to work for free, just to learn. I was 25. One of them, I won’t name him, but I’ll call him George, or maybe that is his real name), Anyway ‘George’ told me I was too old to be an assistant, and that I should have started after high school. “Maybe you should stay in hospitality,” he said. “People always need to eat.”
Well, FUCK YOU! George.
People like you don’t get to decide who believes in their dreams. George became my anti-mentor — the voice I worked to prove wrong. He was with me through 20 years of teaching at the Australian Centre for Photography, through months with no income, through starting over in Europe, and again in Australia. And if you decide to pursue your vision with my help, I’ll show you how to recognise all the little Georges out there — and how to use them as fuel.
(And yes, I still have George’s number if you’d like to hear from a Naysayer.)
I’m not saying you have to choose me as your mentor. I’m saying: choose someone.
Don’t wait. Get that shit done now. Life is short.
I'm based on Sydney’s North Shore (AEST/GMT+10) and happy to meet in person or online via Zoom or Google Meet.
Let me know how I can help.
Who do I mentor?
I believe that anybody with passion and perseverance can succeed well beyond what they believe they can. My students are proof of this. Just ask them.
Sessions are available to people of all ages and backgrounds -
- Students from high school, TAFE college or University, looking to understand the industry
- Assistants looking to make the transition to shooting for themselves.
- Business owners who want to create their own marketing materials
- Photography enthusiasts wanting to transition from amateur to professional
- Practicing photographers looking to enter new markets or focus on a niche.
- Employees who need to understand basic photography for their companies benefit.
- Anyone who has an idea they believe needs developing and furthering into something to be proud of, be it an exhibition, book or online portfolio.
I will personalise the information and teaching to suit your needs.
So what will you learn?
I will mentor you in any area you want to focus on, everybody has their own voice which, even in a world saturated with images, your talent can be nurtured and polished.
My teachings are practical but also insightful, my passion is to find your voice and focus it to find your success whatever that means to you. I really enjoy digging to find the core of why you are doing what you are, to introduce critical thought as well as nurture your own passion.
My advice can span these topics but can also encompass your own thoughts and ideas.
- Basic Camera functionality, lighting with flash and balancing flash to daylight
- Using digital and analogue cameras from 35mm, medium format and large format up to 10” x 8” field cameras
- Advice of how to step into the industry by first becoming an assistant
- Developing a ‘business machine’ to be your core focus of your income in photography
- Starting or refining your portfolio to target your particular photography niche
- Creating an online presence through instagram
- Advice for businesses wishing to create their own marketing content
- Advice on having an agent vs self representation
- The psychology of getting good portraits and finding suitable backgrounds.
- Starting a serious body of work involving short and long-term storytelling
- How to edit your work, the importance of what to leave out
- How to direct people
- How to publish a book and entice an author to collaborate
- Starting an exhibition and searching for suitable grants
- How to gain clients and keep them
- Understanding the ebbs and flows of freelancing and using them to your advantage.
What will your session look like?
After our initial introductory call, if I have further questions I may email you a questionnaire which will help us to refine our focus, regardless we will hit the ground running. The more I know about you the better I can get to see the blocks in the way of you getting to where you want to be. Anything is achievable if you can see a clear path forward.
My availability
Being a freelance photographer can mean that one week I have little time and another week more time, I also sometimes work on weekends. Saying that I am always able to find time for my mentoring, it’s best that we work out our schedules together to find the best timing that suits.
Pricing
Introductory Call — Free (10 minutes)
This no-obligation call gives us a chance to connect, discuss your goals, and identify where you may need the most support.
To book, please email your availability to mail@martinmischkulnig.com and I’ll respond within 24–48 hours to coordinate a suitable time.
1-Hour Mentoring Session — $285 + GST
(GST payable for Australians only)If you're looking for clear advice, direction, or want to dive into any of the topics listed above, this one-hour session is ideal.
Following our initial call, we’ll begin with the focus areas we’ve defined together.
If requested, I’ll provide a written summary and relevant follow-up links within 2–3 days after the session.
3 x 1-Hour Sessions — $775 + GST
(GST payable for Australians only)This is a great option if you're already clear about your goals and want to make steady, focused progress.
After our intro call and a short questionnaire, we'll outline a plan for the three sessions — though we’ll remain flexible if new ideas emerge along the way.
A detailed summary with links and notes will be delivered 2–3 days after our final session.
5 x 1-Hour Sessions — $1275 + GST
(GST payable for Australians only)Recommended for those still exploring direction, with multiple paths or creative ideas to develop.
After our intro call and questionnaire, we’ll map out a personalised plan to work through across the five sessions.
This format allows for accountability, check-ins, and deeper exploration. By the end, you'll have the clarity and momentum to move confidently toward your goal.
A final summary with follow-up links will be provided within 2–3 days after the last session.
Payment is required in advance
Accepted methods: PayPal, Direct Debit, or in-person via Apple Pay or Cash (for local clients).
Testimonials
“During 2020 I decided to embark on a big project, specifically to write/photograph a book about designers in lutruwita /Tasmania. I contacted Martin to help me update my photography skills and to guide me in building the conceptual foundations for the work.
My mentorship with Martin was just what I needed to kickstart the project. His feedback was honest and constructive. I committed to showing him new work every time we met and this kept the momentum of the project going in its early stages.
Martin shared with me his professional knowledge in editing, camera settings and also in dealing with the human element. This was very valuable because his advice was spot-on and completely tailored to my project. He was able to help with the conceptual aspect of the book and also help me to think about a pathway of how to eventually publish. I got so much out of our mentoring sessions, it was during these sessions that we created the fundamental foundation from which I still work. He was absolutely amazing and I very highly recommend him.”
Ivett Dodd
After an initial rejection and her taking careful note of the feedback, Ivett has recently been awarded a government grant worth $30,000 to produce her dream book project.
Update: July 1, 2024. Ivett has received a further $42,000 Australia Council Grant to extend this project further into an exhibition.
“I met Martin through The Australian Centre for Photography and have stayed in touch wth him ever since. I highly recommend Martin as someone to work with over a long-term project. As a commercial photographer, as well as someone with a successful track record for realising long-term personal projects, Martin’s guidance is based on significant practical experience, a passion for story telling, and a keen understanding of the importance of visual impact.”
Robert McRobbie
(Rob still works his corporate job but continues to be passionate about photography and his projects, he’s a wolf in sheeps clothing)
“I found Martin’s class on ‘Projects and Stories’ to be exactly what I needed to further my book project. The class was very informative and instructional in how to create, fund, print and publish a personal book or gallery project. If you appreciate a straightforward approach to learning then I can highly recommend Martins’ mentoring and classes.”
Rob Annesley.
Rob surprised himself and ended up staging an exhibition and publishing a book by obtaining a grant from his local council, it was a huge success
Update: 2022: Rob published his second book titled ‘The Underworld’ with Fuji Film making a featurette film about his practice in making this book. He is continually travelling to work on his passion.
“Martin is so giving with his advice as a mentor. He shared his experience with me openly to help me move further along in my photography practice than I ever would have on my own. His mentoring has since guided me in how I approach any photography project.”
Kwok Aun Tan
(Kwok continues to post amazing images on Instagram (#kwokaun), he produces literally tons of fine street images which anyone would be proud of producing, he doesn’t stop and he’s constantly evolving and refining his style)
