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MOC: How did you get started in photography? Denis Montalbetti: Gay and I met through cycling; we bicycled across Canada fresh out of high school. That’s when I first picked up a camera. I went on to university to study forestry engineering, and joined the photography club. I found myself spending more time taking pictures than attending classes.
After a formal education, I assisted Jim Allen, one of Toronto’s top photographers, and then took a job with a portrait studio in South Africa. My first love was fashion photography and I realized that if I wanted to stay in this business, I had to go out on my own. I left Cape Town for Vancouver, and with very little money, set up a photography studio in 1983. It worked from the word go.
Gay Campbell: I was a hair and makeup artist; we went into business together. And got married!
MOC: What a team! How long did you assist? DM: About a year. When I started to see the same jobs come in again, I got bored. I needed to be inspired, so I stopped assisting and opened my own business.
MOC: Do you take on assistants? M+C: Yes, we do, and we expect them to perform. Attentiveness and speed are important qualities. They have to know the technical details of how to handle professional equipment. For those just starting out, this knowledge can be gained working as a second assistant.
MOC: Are you teaching photography? M+C: We spoke at universities in Australia. Since arriving in New York we’ve been busy establishing ourselves. We’re mentoring students here in the States who have approached us.
MOC: Any advice for students? M+C: Listen to the uniqueness inside of you and follow its urges. Believing in yourself and your personal vision is the best path to success and satisfaction. If you can get work assisting the best in the industry, then do it.
