Grand of the Grand winner

Join Mauro Cantelmi (Cosmos Grand of the Grand winner 2020) interview !

We are trully honored to have our Grand of the Grand winner Mauro Cantelmi who not only took the biggest title for our competition finale last year but also walked away with a whooping 5000eur +1000eurgrand prize money,join us for our inauragural interview for our newest content.

1)First of all, can you tell you a little about your background & how you started photography?

I started photography at the age of 14 with my first photo i ever took won me an award in a major student comp in Melbourne.By the age of 15 i had my own dark room at home and from that day I knew i found what i wanted to do for the rest of my life.

2)You are a wedding photographer for 25 years, 25 years!! Pretty insane and I would say a fantastic milestone! What is your secret and motivation that keeps you going in this industry?

I photographed my first wedding at the age of 19 after working part time as photographic colour printer for a wedding studio since that day i have never looked back.My motivation is simple “ keep pushing boundaries and keep reinventing new ideas and you won’t get bored”

Other motivators are my customs who demand fresh and exciting ideas.

- Winning awards every year is a major motivator knowing i can keep up with the worlds best

-The fear of knowing that if i don’t do something new someone else will

-The smile of my customers faces when they pick up there albums

-Power of photography is another,the fact of knowing i can create an image in my brain and then perfectly produce it on paper for others to see is addictive.

-Passion for your art is also one of the most important.

3)How do you describe you photography style and also signature work?

I describe my work as Avante garde,bold and story telling,away from the normal, sometimes i feel my work has a fashion feel to it.

4)You’re very well known for your whimsical wedding style with insane props and set ups, which sets you apart from your competitors. Can you share with us how you nail it every time in a hectic & crazy packed wedding day schedule?

Yes you are correct in saying a wedding is hectic, so its important to know your limitations on the day understanding how much time you have and adapting your style accordingly is very important.Second is having a great team around you, on the day i have 2 assistants and props person who meets us on location.

I nail each specific hero shots by going through in my head prior to the wedding day all the scenarios, being pre prepared is everything and communicating this to your assistants is also very important.

5)Not only did you win Cosmos’ Grand of the Grand award, but you’re also Grand Master of WPPI, AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year and also Overall Wedding winner with SWPP of UK. Can you share what are the differences and advantages on how Cosmos Awards provided and benefited the entrants Q4 compared to the other competitions/associations?

Please note i have never won any major AIPP award.( Funny isn’t it)

The advantages of cosmos award is the fact it is new, because of this its able to take the best factors of each good comp around the world rolled into one!! Most importantly it makes these factors it own and very unique.

Also

- I can tell the founders are very experienced photographers themselves

- Have 3 comps throughout the year helps with testing new ideas

-I have also noticed that the judges are a great diverse group of people and if I’m not mistaken each judge has at least 15 years experience.

-Also attracts the best photographers around the world entering because of great prize money which no other comp has.

6)Who are the photographer(s) who inspired you and influenced you the most throughout your career?

In my earlier stages of photography Henri Cartier-Bresson was a major influence because of he’s natural style and ability to capture people in a genuine moment.

In the middle of my career Anton Corbijn was a major influence ever since i saw the front cover of U2 Joshua tree and the fact he had the ability to go from photography to film.

These days life in general is my influence everyone from Katie Perry to Andy Warhol though to Karl Langerfeld.

7)We know you have associate photographers who’s under Dezine that have won many awards too. How do you train and nurture them to be established photographers under your wing?

I have 4 major factors that create a dezine by mauro photographer

-They must have passion for their art.

-They must assist me for a minimum of 2 years before shooting for the studio.

-Have a common understanding that we are only as good as our last wedding.

-Ability to be a peoples photographer.

8)Any plans for you or your company in the coming 3-5 years?

Not really at the moment Covid has ruined everything! Im concentrating on how to survive at the moment.

9)Can you share your tips and advice for up and coming wedding photographers who just got into this industry? A word or two from you would absolutely help them grow faster in their journey!

Whats very important when starting in a new industry is gaining experience, this is best done by assisting photographers who are already well established for a minimum of 2 years this will give them enough tools to have a basic understanding of the art. Then the art sales and marketing is just as important when you consider that we only spend 1/3 of our time shooting and the rest running a business.

How to grow faster

- Create 4 new ideas or concepts on every wedding you shoot this allows you to not become complacent.

- Self worth is very important understanding how much to change the customer will allow you longevity in the industry.

-Staying passionate about your art is very important do this by entering competitions.

-Surround yourself with likeminded people in your industry.

Thanks again for having Mauro for this splendid interview and sharing his invaluable knowledge and suggestions to all our Cosmos members.