_{‘Commitment leads to results, so make sure your goals are worthy.’}

^{Mentoring - The 30-second Elevator Pitch}

I mentor photographers and creatives who want clarity, confidence, and momentum in their work.

Whether you’re starting out, stuck, changing direction, or building something long-term, I help you cut through doubt, noise, and overthinking — and focus on what actually matters.

Sessions are practical, honest, and tailored to you. We can work on craft, direction, business, confidence, or long-term projects like books and exhibitions.

If you’re serious about your work and willing to show up, I’ll meet you there.

^{Mentoring - Longer Version, from the Heart

Sharing what I know and teaching my profession has always been
something I’m deeply passionate about.

It’s been over 30 years since I first picked up a camera. I
remember clearly how hard it was to begin — insecure, clueless, and
unsure how anyone ever got a break. I just knew I couldn’t spend
one more day working in bars and restaurants. So I persisted, trying
whatever I could to move forward.

A trip through Asia — where I essentially acted as if I
were a photojournalist — helped me realise this career was the
right fit. But the hardest part was still ahead: the constant voice
asking, Am I actually good enough for someone to pay me?

Truth is, I still hear that voice. What’s helped me push through
is having mentors — people who had already 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 largely disappeared.
Assistants are rarely hired anymore. The old meeting grounds —
labs, studios, the Australian Centre for Photography — are gone.
Those places where people learned, shared ideas, and cross-pollinated
have vanished. So how do we connect now? Instagram?

I could list where I’ve been, who I’ve shot for, and what
awards I’ve won — but I’m over that. What matters to me now is
helping people realise their vision. When someone finds clarity in
their work, it inspires others, and the story keeps moving forward.
Good karma.

Inspiration often hits hard one day, then disappears the next —
replaced by scrolling, doubt, or talking yourself out of everything
you were excited about. These days they call it Adult ADHD. Honestly?
I don’t know a single photographer who doesn’t live somewhere
between flashes of brilliance and complete distraction.

So how do you stay steady in a sea of competition, tech overwhelm,
and scroll fatigue? Especially when the people closest to you —
well-meaning friends — try to talk you out of it. It won’t
work. It’s too risky. AI will take your job. You can feel your
confidence shrinking.

I’ve been lucky to have mentors — some great, some terrible.
One moment from early in my career stuck with me. I was cold-calling
photographers, offering to work for free just to learn. I was 25. One
of them — I’ll call him 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 that 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.

If you choose to work with me, I’ll help you recognise the
little Georges out there — and show you 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 it done. 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.}

^{_{Who do I mentor?}}

^{I believe anyone with passion and perseverance can succeed well
beyond what they think is possible. My students are proof of this.

Sessions are available to people of all ages and backgrounds,
including:

High school, TAFE, or university students wanting to
understand the industry

Assistants transitioning to shooting independently

Business owners creating their own marketing materials

Photography enthusiasts moving from amateur to professional

Practicing photographers entering new markets or refining a
niche

Employees needing practical photography skills for their
workplace

Anyone developing an idea — a book, exhibition, or online
portfolio — they want to be proud of

I personalise all mentoring to suit your needs.}

^{_{So what will you learn?}}

^{I mentor you in the areas you want to focus on. Everyone has their
own voice — even in a saturated world, that voice can be refined
and strengthened.

My approach is practical, but also reflective. I enjoy digging
into why you’re doing what you’re doing, introducing
critical thought while nurturing your passion.

Topics may include:

Camera fundamentals, flash lighting, and balancing flash with
daylight

Digital and analogue formats: 35mm, medium format, large
format up to 10×8

Entering the industry through assisting

Building a sustainable photography business

Portfolio development for specific niches

Creating an online presence (including Instagram)

Marketing content for businesses

Agent representation vs self-representation

The psychology of portraiture and working with people

Long-term storytelling and project development

Editing your work — and learning what to leave out

Directing people

Publishing books and collaborating with authors

Exhibitions and grant applications

Finding and keeping clients

Understanding the ebbs and flows of freelance life}

^{_{What will your sessions look like?}}

^{After our introductory call, I may send a short questionnaire to
refine our focus. Either way, we’ll hit the ground running.

The more I understand about you, the easier it is to identify
what’s standing in your way — and map a clear path forward.}

^{_Availability}

^{Freelance life means my schedule can change week to week,
including occasional weekends. That said, I always make time for
mentoring. We’ll work together to find a time that suits us both.}

^_Pricing

^{Introductory Call — Free (10 minutes)
A no
obligation call to connect, discuss your goals, and identify where
support may help.

1-Hour Session — $285 + GST (Australians
only)
Focused, practical guidance. A written summary and
follow‑up links can be provided on request.

3 × 1-Hour Sessions — $775 + GST
Ideal
for structured progress with flexibility.

5 × 1-Hour Sessions — $1275 + GST
Best
for deeper exploration, accountability, and long-term clarity.

Payment is required in advance. Accepted methods: PayPal, Direct
Debit, Apple Pay, or Cash (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 for 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 on 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 storytelling, 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 sheep's 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
Martin’s 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)}

^{·martin

·mischkulnig}

·work
·mentoring
·contact

_{‘Commitment leads to results, so make sure your goals are worthy.’}

^{_{Who do I mentor?}}

^{_{So what will you learn?}}

^{_{What will your sessions look like?}}

^{_Availability}

^_Pricing

^{_Testimonials}

·martin ·mischkulnig

·work ·mentoring ·contact

‘Commitment leads to results, so make sure your goals are worthy.’

Who do I mentor?

So what will you learn?

What will your sessions look like?

Availability

Pricing

Testimonials

^{·martin

·mischkulnig}

·work
·mentoring
·contact

_{‘Commitment leads to results, so make sure your goals are worthy.’}

^{_{Who do I mentor?}}

^{_{So what will you learn?}}

^{_{What will your sessions look like?}}

^{_Availability}

^_Pricing

^{_Testimonials}