Herewith, the Studio Manager Questionnaire: Bryan McNulty…

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Bryan McNulty, studio manager for Nino Muñoz, with Nino's dogs Hunter (left) and Milo.

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Stockland Martel Blog: How did you hear about this job, and when did you start?
Bryan McNulty: I ran into a friend (and current SM employee) coming off the subway who told me about the position, and I started this past March.

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SMB: What were you doing before?
BM: In reality, just going through the motions. I studio managed for an editorial shooter, whose work focused on portraiture and interiors. I was also shooting on my own and working at a restaurant. I had always wanted to be part of the high-end commercial photography world and, at the time, was taking (very small) steps in that direction.

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SMB: What are your primary responsibilities?
BM: I manage the day-to-day business, and provide an objective sounding board for Nino’s creative energy. What I tell my friends and family is that I handle the general workflow of a job from start to finish – everything in between the moment dates are put on the calendar, thru production, image management, billing and, finally, filing the job folder as “complete.” In short, I try not to mess things up.
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SMB: What’s the most unusual thing you’ve had to do?
BM: I don’t know if this is good or not, but I’ve yet to do anything I felt was unusual in this business. [knock on wood] I figure what’s unusual is the people you have to deal with.

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SMB: What’s been the greatest highlight so far?
BM: Beyond the daily protein shakes and occasional avocado and olive oil on toast? The moment I walked into the studio I knew I was part of something special. Nino’s incredibly talented and this experience has not only been timely in my professional development, but also a driving inspiration for my personal work.

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SMB: A good job is one where the person can grow and learn. What have you learned since going to work for Nino?
BM: That at the end of the day, we’re just taking pretty pictures—knowing that this is my career path, how can I not smile? In this business, particularly, you have to check your ego at the door and simply do the work. It’s about personality management and having consistent self-discipline. Nino makes this part of the job look effortless.

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SMB: Nino is friends with Gisele Bundchen, who is also his longtime muse. Do you get to hang out with Gisele?
BM: Nino’s longtime collaboration with Gisele is special, and the work they have and are creating together is currently being woven into the fabric of the fashion and beauty world. I can’t lie…it’s exciting to be a part of..

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Photo by Bryan McNulty.

Photo by Bryan McNulty.

Photo by Bryan McNulty.

Photo by Bryan McNulty.

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SMB: What is your creative passion—are you a photographer, artist, musician, maker of artisanal cheese, etc.?
BM: I love photography, and my work focuses on movement—from the artistry of acrobats and dancers, to the ebbs and flows of daily life. For me, photography is about a moment and what story that moment tells. My website is lostartiststudios.com.

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SMB: Thank you, Bryan!

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Previous Studio Manager Questionnaires:

• Eric White, of Roxanne Lowit Photographs

• Rachel Goldman, of Art Streiber Photography

• Meghan McNeer, of Liz Von Hoene Photography

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What’s it like to work for Roxanne Lowit? Eric White, new media manager for the famed fashion photographer, gives us the inside scoop in this edition of the Studio Manager Questionnaire (which I adapted to accommodate his high-tech title)…
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How did you hear about this job, and when did you start?

I heard about the job through a friend that suggested I apply this past August, less than a week later I was sitting in my leopard chair, working side by side with one of my idols.

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What were you doing previously?

Prior to working with Roxanne, I worked as an intern at an online magazine and freelance retouched.

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What are your primary responsibilities as new media manager?

Work it: Eric White at Roxanne Lowit's Manhattan studio.

Any photo requests, retouching requests, graphic design and layout work, as well as archive management and film scanning that comes to the studio goes through me. I also assist Roxanne in any capacity I can with daily tasks, from backstage to lunch orders. I love that every day is something different. Being exposed to such an amazing archive of work has been like flipping through the pages of fashion’s yearbooks.

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What new media/social networking platforms do you use on Roxanne’s behalf (Facebook, a blog, Twitter, etc.?)? And can you talk a bit about how you use them to promote her work?

In our office we recognize the need to take advantage of all the new tools that evolving media has to offer. We see each new platform as an opportunity to reach a new audience with Roxanne’s work. We are currently connected on Facebook as well as our blog, Roxannelowit.tumblr.com. With these sites, I can instantly share her photos, videos, slideshows, press coverage, invitations, and announcements with the click of a button. This interconnectivity drastically streamlines the PR side of my job. Keeping in close contact with her audience has proven to be well worth the time.
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What’s the most unusual thing you’ve had to do?

If you ask anyone I grew up with (rural upstate New York) they would probably tell you everything I do is unusual. I think maybe making life size masks of World Famous Bob’s face for a shoot might rank pretty high for me.

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What’s been the greatest highlight so far?

Two moments come to mind, walking into Milk Gallery on the day of her opening for the Backstage Dior exhibition was one of those “this is it” moments. It was like I had stepped into a world that I had thought I would only see on TV and in magazines. I was truly inspired to see that hard work really does pay off.

Being backstage with Roxanne was another one of those moments. Since being here, I’ve been fortunate enough to observer Diane von Furstenberg and Pierre Cardin (HUGE heroes of mine) in a setting that very few people get to. Being surrounded by their art, and to simply shake their hands almost sent me over the top.

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Rate how stressful your job is on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most agita-inducing.

Truly depends on the day, the hour, and the minute you are asking about. Some moments are a 1/10 other are a 59/10. Luckily most days don’t break a 7.

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What is your creative passion—are you a photographer, artist, musician, maker of artisanal cheese, etc.? Tell us about it, and please include photos or a link to your work.

My passion is photography; I eat, breathe, and sleep, with a camera pressed against my face. My grandmother bought me my first camera when I was 6. Shortly after she decided that was a terrible idea when the next day I handed back to her all ten of the rolls of film she had given me, ready to be developed. I still thrive on the anticipation of seeing what I’ve shot, brings me right back to being 6 years old with my plastic point-and-shoot.

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Photos by Eric White.

Photos by Eric White.

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My portfolio can be viewed at: NICECLEANWHITE.COM.

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Thank you, Eric!

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How did you hear about this job?
It’s hard to believe, but I actually found the job listing on Craigslist!

I had been toying with the idea of graduate school but decided that I ultimately wanted real-world, in-the-thick-of-it experience. Working for an editorial photographer and immersing myself in the LA network really appealed to me. So I began checking all of my job resources and calling any and all contacts on a loop. I was very lucky to come across Art’s posting right at the perfect time. I responded to the post not knowing that it was Art and was pleasantly surprised at my interview.

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What are your primary responsibilities?
Organization! I handle post-production, marketing, syndication, and a medley of management tasks. On the surface, we have a small operation, but there is a lot of traffic and much to juggle. Being the point person for post-production means I am the liaison between the client and Art’s amazing retoucher. We always want to make sure that we plan ahead, know our image deadlines, expedite orders, and try to stay on budget.

We strive to keep the website up to date and interesting. I have developed my eye when it comes to helping choose and sequence portfolio and Web imagery. Everything is selected and paced for a reason. The only downside is now I probably spend way too much time assembling my own photo albums.

There is also a little bit of everything, from overseeing interns, fielding fine-art requests, submitting images for syndication, and maintaining the film and digital archives down to be being the point of contact at the office.

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What’s the most unusual thing you’ve had to do as part of your job?
As busy as we are here, I luckily don’t get thrown the “Order 200 cupcakes for the subject, have them here now, and by the way, the bakery is already closed” type of requests.

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Being aware of your budgets, having the ability to articulate your ideas to clients, keeping your office organized, and having a business sense really helps yield success as an artist.

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Rate how stressful your job is on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most agita-inducing.
For the most part, it doesn’t get too stressful. I’ve worked with Art for a while, so we have many systems in place to help keep everything organized and streamlined… We rarely have panic moments of not being able to find something or cross-reference information. Quick deadlines, low budgets, or back-to-back shoots can create heavy workloads. Having patience and being able to prioritize helps during those times. It also goes through waves, depending on Art’s shooting schedule but always winds up working out.

Art’s yellow Labrador, Jones, is a good buddy/distraction to have around when things get a little hectic.

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What’s one thing that you’ve learned from doing this job that you didn’t expect to learn.

That FileMaker Pro is a lifesaver.

I set out to learn more about this field and have really received a comprehensive education over the past five years. Sometimes it takes many cooks in the kitchen… We work with an incredible team of producers, reps, assistants, set designers, stylists, retouchers, digital techs, etc., whom all come together to make everything run smoothly and professionally.

Working with Art has also hit home that tapping into the left side of your brain is important. Being aware of your budgets, having the ability to articulate your ideas to clients, keeping your office organized, and having a business sense really helps yield success as an artist.

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Please take a photo inside the studio and send it to us.

Art Streiber's studio.

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Do you have a photo blog, and if you do, what’s the address so we can bookmark it?
No, but I should do that.

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If you are also a photographer, please send us one example of your work. (If you’re not a photographer but would like to share a photo or mp3 or some other form of media that you’ve created, please feel welcome to do so.)
Finding time to paint and to take my own photographs can be challenging for me.
I’ve been on a mission to paint more and am currently working with mixing different mediums. India ink is my new favorite tool.

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Painting by Rachel Goldman.

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I’ve also been taking my Stereo Holga on every vacation—the 3D slides are magical.

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Thanks, Rachel!

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Meghan McNeer, the studio manager for Liz Von Hoene,
on making good playlists, drinking shocking
amounts of coffee, and having a “vocational mullet”

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How did you hear about this job?
I met one of Liz’s old camera assistants through a friend of a friend and was his assistant for two years, slowly working my way into the family by taking freelance jobs with one of her producers and prop stylists. I toyed with moving to New York (quite an original idea, I know). Then her studio manager was going freelance just managing her books and she needed someone new so I just slid right in – she made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.

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What are your primary responsibilities?
Running her studio – making sure everything is in order with the space and equipment. I also manage some fabulous interns, who help me keep everything organized. Ultimately, just making life easier for Liz. That involves all different types of  things – booking flights, helping with treatments, responding to emails, creating pages for her portfolios, finding new music for her to listen so she doesn’t go insane from the same playlist over and over again. Recently, I have started traveling some with her, which I love, because then I can hands on guarantee she has everything she needs and working in unusual locations with wonderful people.

Strangely I’m doing all the things I loved doing from all my previous jobs and not really anything I don’t enjoy doing. I feel like I am in my element which is amazing – coming to a job every day that is my safe haven, where I can just do what I love and am surrounded by amazingly creative people that inspire me is so good it almost feels illegal. I think I took a bullet for someone in a former life and earned some really good karma.

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What’s the most unusual thing you’ve had to do as part of your job?
I had to get an autographed copy of Harry Potter for her daughter within a matter of hours…I jest.

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Rate how stressful your job is on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most agita-inducing.
I think that is somewhat subjective person by person and how much you put of yourself into the job – I get stressed out from time to time because I want everything to be just right for her. But nothing is in anyway agitating to me so I would rate that a 1, it can definitely be stressful at times because of how busy Liz is, but that’s just part of the job. I didn’t sign up for a cake walk and can honestly say I function best multitasking, so I try to take the stress in stride and remain calm. Liz and I always try to remind ourselves in times of high stress that no one’s life is on the line. The best thing for me during those stressful times is shocking amount of coffee and good music.

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What’s one thing that you’ve learned from doing this job that you didn’t expect to learn?
How much I could enjoy a job, doing things I love with people I love. I was talking to my dad about this just this morning in fact. Within the crews that Liz and other photographers that I have worked with, a little family forms. You become friends with your assistants, art directors, stylists, makeup artists, etc etc and are loyal to them. Which makes sense, if you are working long hours you want it to be with creative minds that you get along well with.

It’s business in the front, party in the back (a vocational mullet if you will) – you work all day and then go out to dinner with the same crew. I just love that. Liz would be one of my first confidants if something crazy happens in my personal life yet she is also the person who inspires me most professionally.

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Please take a photo inside the studio and send it to us.

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Inside Big Studio, Liz Von Hoene's studio in Atlanta.

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Do you have a photo blog, and if you do, what’s the address so we can bookmark it?

Big Studio’s blog: http://bigstudio.tumblr.com/
Mine: http://eggsandears.tumblr.com/

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If you are also a photographer, please send us one example of your work. (If you’re not a photographer but would like to share a photo or mp3 or some other form of media that you’ve created, please feel welcome to do so.)

I am, I am! I recently was lucky enough to have a piece (in a show with Liz) at Gallery 151 [in New York City].

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Photo by Meghan McNeer.

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