Interview: Mark 'The Cobrasnake' Hunter

Mark 'The Cobrasnake' Hunter is a very successful LA party photographer, vintage clothing peddler (see The Cobra Shop), globe trotter, and all round nice guy. He'll be in the country documenting the night this Friday at CAN'T SAY for Miss Libertines 5th Birthday Bash, teaming up with live band Nantes (Syd) + DJs Tranter, Indian Summer, Glass Mirrors, DJ Lotion and residents spinning tunes all night in the front room. We recently checked in with Mark to have a chat about what he's up to at the moment.

Check out all of Cobrasnake's photos at his website

More details on Miss Libertine's 5th Birthday Party at Can't Say HERE

PS: You seem like a man who leads a pretty interesting life, how did you get into taking pictures all over the world?

CS: Once upon a time I was this nerdy Jewish kid. I road my bike nearly 20 miles each day just to intern for my fave street artist, Shepard Ferry. I was fascinated by the way he took what he loved and made it into a business. That inspired me to do the same. I was out shooting his work and running errands for him. Around that time I also got invites to all these underground partys and events. You know, the who’s who and the what’s what. Since I lived so far away I didn’t have anywhere to put my work bag, one faithful night I was at some rager and reached into my man purse to pull out a piece of gum but instead I pulled out my camera and the rest is history.

You seem to be over here quite a bit, Australia must be a bit of a second home. Why do you like us so much?

I love to be Down Under. I’m a former Eagle Scout so by nature, I love nature and exotic things like koala bears.

You’ll be our guest photographer at CAN'T SAY on November 4^th, how do you like Australian punters? Are they welcoming?

I love photographing all sorts of people. It keeps in interesting for me, I just hope none of them try to break my camera.

What’s your favourite travel destination outside of LA? Any traveller’s tips?

Aside from Australia at my number 1 travel destination, I love taking my family and team to Hawaii. I always swore I would never go there for work but I recently had the opportunity to shoot the lovely little bundle of dynamite Miss Charlotte Free for one of my favourite lines, Wildfox and I could not turn it down. In the end it ended up to be more fun than work anyway.

Wildfox Swim shoot Anja Konstantinova

Your PolaroidScene page was one of the first real nightlife photo blogs - tell us about that. How do you think the game has changed since it started?

I almost forgot about polaroidscene that was so 2003... I never really cared about being one of the first, it was pretty exciting for me to be documenting this culture.. I think it’s all fair game now and no matter where it all goes I will forever be glad to say that I was one of the pioneers! YeeeeHaw!

LA is your hometown, what’s your favourite spot to take photos?

Don’t get me wrong, I love taking party pics, you know that. But recently found the most fun is a one on one photo shoot for my online store, The Cobra Shop. I love using LA as a back drop to photograph our Vintage clothes at classic locations like The Fountain where Cher realises she loves Josh in Clueless, the place on Muholland Drive where the car crashes, the Bus Stop bench on Hollywood Blvd where Traci Lords, Christina Applegate and Shannen Doherty get zapped by an alien and all that’s left is their retainers in that movie Nowhere.

How would you describe the increasing affordability of camera equipment affecting photography as an art form?

The more the merrier! I love a good bargain and a good art show

Living at night must be difficult; do you get time do anything between 9 and 5? What’s a regular day for you?

I will sleep when I die. I think the biggest misconception about myself is that I’m up all night and sleep all day. If I’m out shooting till 5am, I still like to get up before 11am, go on a hiking, thrifting, juicing and TCOB.

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers today?

Don’t dream it, be it! Also don’t let some nasty comment on you Tumblr page get you down. If I did that, I wouldn’t be on my way to Australia to take pictures of your beautiful faces today!

5 Blogs you’re frequenting at the moment?

My BFF

The Selby

Fashion Toast

Johnnysbird

I'm Boy Crazy (Is funny and always helps me discover what a girl really wants)

Street Boners

Niki Takesh