Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Kantner.
Hi Mary, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
At the age of maybe 13, I picked up my dad’s digital camera and started shooting photos of my dog, blades of grass, random things around my house. Over time, I begun shooting photos of friends and family members. Before phones, before Instagram, I had no idea that you could make a career doing this sort of thing. I grew up in a (used to be) small mountain town in Montana and always imagined Los Angeles as this imaginary place where movie stars lived. There was no way I could relate to it and therefore, no way I could ever live there. Growing up in small towns, you’re somewhat taught to hate cities — especially materialistic, overly sunny cities like LA.
It wasn’t until I began shooting photography full time as my job that I knew I had something special. And that I could do this. And then the pandemic hit. I was stuck in lockdown like everyone else. Living alone in Missoula, MT, not even allowed to go to the grocery store. During that time, I truly found who I was. I taught myself guitar, I released the pressure of producing, of hustling, of *having* to be someone or make the perfect content or book as many weddings or portrait shoots that I could because: rent. It was paradise, honestly. I fell in love with reading, making playlists, with writing, and with my dreams all over again. I started a photojournalism project titled OUR (which I’m still working on), I found an old 35mm film camera my sister had given me in high school and finally figured out how to use it. I fell in love with my art again. With music. With fashion. With story-telling. And once again, I was reminded that I was meant for big things.
So I moved to West Hollywood. Mid-pandemic, with nothing but a feeling. And I’ve been here ever since. I became inspired by the Hollywood Hills, by Laurel Canyon, by Joni Mitchell, Harry Styles and other artists. My creativity is almost too loud some days, and it’s been tough to find my footing. But I am excited for what’s to come.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course not. Finding my creative voice here has been extremely rocky, to be honest. I’ve wavered back and forth, up, down and sideways about what the hell I’m doing here. If this place is really *me*. Before I even started shooting photography full-time, I was a barista for five years. Making maybe enough to pay rent. Still living in Montana, my mind wrapped around relationships and potential relationships. After that, I worked as a server for two years. I then applied for a tech company to escape the service industry. I worked there for literally six months and couldn’t take it. I quit one month before COVID hit. I decided I was going to try to do photography full-time the best I could. I felt terrified, inspired, confused, excited, empowered, and like I might be making a huge mistake. The pandemic was a relief from those feelings. From working 2-3 jobs and focused on anyone but me to being able to sit in a rocking chair, listen to records and watch the snowfall.
The uncertainty and the quiet allowed me to listen to myself for the first time in maybe ever. In high school, I never knew who I was, I didn’t love school, I only loved choir and whoever I was crushing on at the time. By the time I went to college (in my hometown, by the way), everyone seemed to have it figured out. I switched majors three times before settling into Sociology as my major because it was the easiest thing to me. I graduated and still have yet to use my degree. Being surrounded by people who have passions, who have the one thing they know they want to do — I felt lost. Still do. Being multi-passionate is one of the scariest things. But it leads you in so many beautiful directions that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My passion is people. Telling stories, seeing their true selves, documenting them exactly as they are *right now*. People inspire me and for that reason, I am known for my portraiture. I have done a lot of boudoir photography as well. It’s raw and soft and honest. I don’t retouch anyone because why would I want to change what’s already perfect? Film is progressively becoming more a part of my journey and my focus. There is something about the grain, about the raw qualities that film has, the skill to manually focus, to figure out the light just right, etc. The chance, the lack of control. It feels good to me and I feel my best self when shooting film. I’ve recently dove into artist/concert photography on film and it’s a challenge but I’m loving it. I’d say what sets me apart is the connection I form with my subject(s). My ability to light up and immediately connect with who I’m shooting. I’m a big fan of candid, raw, honest emotion and I love being able to make someone feel something. I love showing people how I see them. Or showing them something they would’ve overlooked otherwise.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the opportunities, I love the different kinds of people, I love the different geographic environments. Everything is changing constantly and I work well with that. I am a very documentary-like photographer and it is inspiring to me to see so much around me that can be seen in a beautiful way and worth remembering. It is also so special to be in a place where some of the most iconic and historical figures I admire became who they are.
The hustle culture is poison. I recently started reading a book titled White Noise by Don Delillo. It is so important to not get caught up in the hustle culture, the materialistic side of the city, the noise. Everyone is out here trying to “make it”. And while at first, this was inspiring to me, I quickly became sick. I felt as though the comparison, the constant need to be “on” and the toxic positivity quickly became a sickness I couldn’t shake. I am just trying to listen to my heart and trust my instincts to stay on a genuine path that I believe in, even when quick and destructive opportunities are waved in my face.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@marykantnerphoto.com
- Website: www.marykantnerphoto.com
- Instagram: @marykantnerphoto & @marykantner (personal)
- Twitter: @marykantner
Image Credits
Personal photo by Haley Busch (@hal3_)
