mike mabes
Mike Mabes, born in the U.S., left the States at an early age to spend his childhood growing up in the south of Spain. South America was his next stop, where he went to live in the Central Valley of Chile in Santiago. This is where he first realized his passion for photography.
He first started taking photographs as research for his sociology studies. The images that he shot depicted the intricacies of humankind by demonstrating many different cultural and social contrasts. After finishing his studies, Mike returned to the United States to live in New York City and to enroll in the New York Film Academy.
Assisting photographers such as Jessica Craig-Martin and Jack Pierson has given Mike insight into the business aspect of photography and the time he spent with them helped him to understand his unique style. Mike takes pride in using conventional techniques of photography to capture his images and exclusively uses a vintage Rolleiflex camera, like the one his Grandfather had.
Mike then left New York for a bit and traveled through Eastern Europe, Central and South America. On these photographic journeys he developed a stronger understanding of travel photography and how to use this as a tool to communicate new discoveries and understandings.
Mike receives great inspiration by documenting, with an observer’s eye, the reality of the times we live in and the very different cultures that either mesh or collide around the world.
Mike Mabes has presented photographs in solo exhibitions in Santiago and Berlin. He now resides and takes photographs in Brooklyn, New York.
artist’s statement
Mike Mabes spends his days with a camera under his arm. He seeks beauty in every day life; in the landscapes and memorable faces. His approach to photography is quite varied, but beauty is the common denominator for his imagery.
“I love playing with what life has to offer.” Pictorially there is so much to work with, real life, no stages just the raw reality of it all, understand it and present that to the viewer.
