Contacts Photography

Moving portraits by Jason Loucas

2012-02-21T09:18:00.003+11:00

While on an assignment for Gourmet Traveller shooting portraits, the art department also asked if Jason would consider some content for the Gourmet Traveller Ipad App. The results are these moving portraits.

121BC

Westfield

Porteno

Shady Pines Saloon

Ruby Rose portrait by Damien Pleming for Sunday Magazine

2012-02-20T13:48:00.001+11:00

Jason Loucas for Tag Heuer

2012-02-14T11:59:00.002+11:00

Tag Heuer's "Time For Rebels" Exhibition is currently running in Geneva.
Jason Loucas was commissioned to shoot for this current Tag Heuer exhibition in Geneva.
"Time for Rebels" is a celebration of Tag Heuer's enduring spirit of rebellion. The Exhibition showcases men and women from around the world whom Tag Heuer considers Rebels for their acts, attitudes and what they stand for. The Rebels chosen for Australia are Jamie Durie, renowned landscape designer, author and product designer and Lydia Lassila, Olympic Gold Medalist Aerial Skier.

Steve Baccon has shot the latest Billabong campaign

2012-02-13T16:06:00.004+11:00

Damien Pleming's portrait of Dita Von Tesse

2012-02-13T11:52:00.001+11:00

Damien shot Dita Von Tesse for Lime Door brands through Style Council.

Jason Loucas for Gourmet Traveller

2012-02-10T10:18:00.002+11:00

Jason Loucas recently shot a series for Gourmet Traveller's BBQ issue (January 2012). Gourmet asks 42 chefs what they would bring to a BBQ.

Peter Doyle is making raspberry trifle, Matt Stone’s doing a quinoa and asparagus salad and Paul Wilson is whipping up homemade mustard.

Check out the story online.

David Homer Exhibition

2012-02-07T11:48:00.001+11:00

David Homer (one half of Debaser) is showing his personal work at Mart Gallery from the 16th of February. The exhibition, 23rd & Oxford, is the result of David's split life between his hometown of Sydney and New York city where he has fruitfully been spinning the multiple ARIA award winning studio Debaser's wares for the past two years. Using snap-shot style images taken with his iphone David has created ruggedly assembled photo collages. The final result is a series of choppy cityscapes that capture the moment to moment immediacy of city life both in Sydney and New York. David is not a photographer by trade, his background is in illustration and design. The slap-dash compositional style of photography and collage favor atmosphere and immediacy over technical wizardry and remind us of the creative possibilities that today's new technology inspires.

Damien Pleming for In The Black Magazine

2012-02-07T11:34:00.002+11:00

Damien has recently shot Bill Shorten for the cover of In The Black Magazine.

Damien Pleming for Sunday Magazine

2012-02-03T10:32:00.002+11:00

Damien recently shot two cover stories for Sunday Magazine:

Hugh Peachey for Hooked Fish and Chips

2012-01-30T10:13:00.000+11:00

Martin Mischkulnig for Paspaley Pearls

2012-01-23T09:58:00.007+11:00

Martin was back in Australia recently shooting for Paspaley Pearls. The images were later used in a story for Wish magazine.

"We spent 5 days flying (sea plane and helicopter) around the Kimberleys, looking over their whole pearling operation. The most amazing part was looking at the harvest, when they pour buckets of priceless pearls on a table and start to sort them out. They had a brief of what needed photographing but the style was left up to me and I had free reign over all of the landscape images, I directed the helicopters, boats and sea planes."
Martin.

Zahn Pithers has shot Mel B for the new Jenny Craig campaign

2012-01-09T09:35:00.006+11:00

Zahn Pithers has been shooting the latest campaign of Mel B for Jenny Craig. Mel lost 8kgs in 8 weeks. She's doing really well and is on the way to losing another 8.

"We shot at Mark Markson's (agent to the stars) house in Bellevue hill. We shot her in 4 different outfits both indoor and out. She was great to work with, she really knows what she wants and certainly doesn't muck around on set."
Zahn.

The shots are being used in-store, on web and in print throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Steve Baccon talking about his book 'Expressions' on the Today show

2011-12-19T10:17:00.003+11:00

Check out the interview on the Today Show

Photos from the launch of Steve Baccon's book 'Expressions'

2011-12-16T15:08:00.008+11:00

A great night and a wonderful book! Great idea for a Christmas present... hey hey!!

More snaps on our Facebook page.
Photography curtsey of Rey Estanislao Photography.

Steve Baccon's book, 'Expressions', in the window at Ariel

2011-12-06T10:46:00.005+11:00

Steve Baccon's retrospective book, comprising of portraits from the last ten years, is set to launch tonight!!! It was very exciting to see it on display in the window at Ariel.

Share a Coke with Jon Bader

2011-12-05T09:51:00.005+11:00

Jon Bader has shot the new 'Share a Coke' campaign via Ogilvy & Mather Sydney. In the biggest change ever made to the iconic packaging Coke is releasing millions of bottles and cans printed with peoples names on them as a social invitation for consumers to find the names of friends and family and share a coke with them. 150 of the most popular Aussie names were chosen based on a multicultural cross-section of the population. The multimillion dollar summer campaign was designed to encourage Australians to connect with one another.

Lucie Austin, marketing director at Coca-Cola South Pacific, as quoted on Campaign Brief: "We are using the power of the first name in a playful and social way to remind people of those in their lives they may have lost touch with. We've put names on Coca-Cola bottles so consumers will have fun finding their friends and family members' names and then enjoy sharing a Coke together."

A mural Debaser did at the EMI headquarters

2011-11-29T10:49:00.001+11:00

New work from design and illustrator team Debaser

2011-11-28T14:10:00.002+11:00

Hugh Peachey's TVC for Piping Hot

2011-11-22T12:22:00.000+11:00

The TVC was shot in Torquay, Victoria in the middle of winter. The average temperature was about 10 degrees! The Director was David Retchman from Sydney.

Jason Loucas for Harold Park

2011-11-21T10:01:00.001+11:00

New cookbook shot by Jason Loucas

2011-11-18T10:31:00.001+11:00

Released by Allen and Unwin, Designed by Andrew Hoyne, and shot by Jason Loucas.
Kitchen Coquette is a cookbook that will make you smile. It will feed ten hungry friends, the man of your dreams, your lovely gran; even providing a bite to eat for all those inspired in-between moments.

Jason Loucas for Baxters Relish

2011-11-17T10:50:00.007+11:00

Baxters Relish are introducing their famous relishes and chutneys to the Foodservice industry.
The shoot was to highlight the various relishes with a modern approach.
Styled by the Food Director of Gourmet Traveller Emma Knowels.

Jason Loucas for Think Brick

2011-11-08T12:05:00.002+11:00

"I was approached by David Hutton at Sodus to help out concept a shoot for his new client Think Brick. Think Brick wanted an outside/inside feel showing off their products, bricks. We decided on this location and I thought the best way to approach it would be to shoot it using the technique of HDR (High Dynamic Range Imaging). This would allow for detail in the shadows of the interior and hold the highlights of the exterior."
Jason Loucas

Hungry Jacks new look shot by Janyon

2011-11-07T10:46:00.004+11:00

Hungry Jacks hit the news (and Gruen World) recently as the the first Australian fast food franchise to conform to the new legislation of displaying kilojoule value alongside price point for each of their menu items.

Clemenger BBDO senior creative Baz Baker and AD Sarah Parris wanted to break from the usual menuboard style and boost the food values by showcasing the hero items in an editorially inspired style alongside the fresh ingredients that go into the preparation of the items.

They got Janyon involved in the process from early on and together created a look and feel that's refreshingly different from the run-of-the-mill menuboard photography. His food experience in quick service restaurants (QSR) and love of food editorial made this the ideal challenge for that skill set.
After a mammoth shoot involving prop stylist Leesa O'Reilly and co-styled by Jan Edwards, and the unflappable food stylist Ben Masters, this team felt like family by the end of the project.

Jon Bader picks up a Honerable Mention at the 5th Annual Photography Masters Cup

2011-11-04T10:00:00.002+11:00

While the rest of us were sipping champagne and betting on the Melbourne Cup Jon was presented the with the Masters Cup - Honorable Mention - in the category of Food at the Nomination & Winners Photoshow. Jon was recognised by an international jury of industry leaders including Hasted Hunt Kraeutler in New York, Brancolini Grimaldi, David & Goliath, Simon Studer Art Associates, Stills Gallery, and Christie's in London.
The awards Creative Director, Basil O'Brien has praised Jon for the incredible achievement of being "selected among the best from the 13,321 entries... Jon's Oxheart, an exceptional image entered in the Food category, represents contemporary colour photography at its finest, and we're pleased to present him with the title of Honorable Mention."
Check out the rest of the winners the Colour Awards website.

Contacts team effort for Abbots Village bakery

2011-10-31T09:55:00.004+11:00

Photograher Janyon and food stylist Sally Parker recently teamed up for this shoot for DDB. DDB wanted a specific look for their client George Weston Foods brand Abbotts Village Bakery. They wished to promote their seasonal loaves range with images to incorporate the produce, colours and moods of the seasons. Art director Steve Thurlby liked the character and mood of the images he saw in Janyon's portfolio and used them as direct reference to sell the look and feel on to the client.
Naturally it made sense that they then asked J to do the shoot.
"Its always nice to be chosen for a campaign purely on the merit of the work in the book, when so often its other factors that end up being the decider."
Janyon

Sally Parker - Lamboutique

2011-10-17T15:33:00.002+11:00

"It was a long but fascinating day as a top fashion photographer, Vogue model and florist and I combined forces for a stunning looking range of shots. Both the lamb and the model had their own ‘make-up’ artists! "
Sally Parker

Hugh Hamilton's portarit of Rove is EVERYWHERE!!!!

2011-10-14T10:39:00.003+11:00

"Despite a reputation as being a bit difficult, Rove turned out to be the consummate professional, turning it on for the cameras so well that Foxtel snapped the images up to promote Rove's new LA show....."
Hugh Hamilton

I don't think there would be a single person in Sydney who has not seen Hugh Hamilton's portrait of Rove by now!

BUSTIN'

2011-10-11T09:29:00.006+11:00

"The idea behind the shoot was to to capture these young hip hop dancers in action. Using hi sync flash and the fast shutter speed of the Hasselblad to freeze the motion and accentuate the deep blue colour of the sky.

I wanted to use action and bright colours to create images that really pop.

I knew it would be a fun and technically challenging shoot.

It was a really great day, everyone had a lot of fun as you can see in the behind the scenes video. All the dancers were really professional and put a lot of effort into getting the shot. It was a real team effort!

As you can see, we were also blessed by the weather gods."
Zahn Pithers

Zahn Pithers "Bustin" behind the scenes photoshoot from zahnpithers on Vimeo.

Sally Parker's inspired work for Selector magazine

2011-10-07T10:38:00.003+11:00

I asked stylist Sally Parker to give us an insight into this beautiful shoot she did for Selector magazine recently. Here's what she said:

"This was a lovely shoot to work on. Selector Magazine is such stunning mag with high production values. For this job we were shooting unusual but delicious Korean food, and the team was relaxed and fun.

My brief was very open. Christian Lawler, the art director from Selector Magazine gave me the colour palate he wanted and asked for delicate flowers to be incorporated, but the rest was up to me. I went to a number of florists to source the flowers and finally found the beautiful ‘dancing lady’ orchids which seemed perfect even though they aren’t Korean. I had the background made to match the colour palate. Luckily I had a week up my sleeve for that. I had so many wonderful props but many we didn’t use as we found that, as is so often the case, ‘less is more’. I would like to have done more shots to use them!

When styling for this job I did a fair amount of research into authentic Korean food presentation. I looked at cookbooks, travel and art books and websites. I also went to Korean and Japanese food stores. Northbridge is wonderful for Japanese food and cooking gear, and I discovered a great Korean store in Fairfield with so many varieties of kimchi (pickled cabbage or radish). Research is a favourite part of my job and so interesting. However regarding the styling, I generally aim for overall effect and beauty, rather than trying exactly recreate the authentic style. Korean food is quite rustic and can be heavy, so it was a bit of a challenge to make it appear lighter and more ‘Spring’ like.

Our lunch was amazing but we did have lots of kimchi left over as the recipe used 4kg of cabbage. Enough to feed a small army of photographers, art directors and stylists!"

Damien Pleming working with the animals

2011-10-07T10:09:00.001+11:00

"This job was a collaboration between Purina and the Animal welfare League Australia. I've never had so many visiters dropping into the studio to say hi. Not to me but the cats and dogs! I have always love animals too so it was a great job. I actually wanted to take one of the dogs home but my wife is about to give birth to our 2nd child so I think I will be kept busy enough!"
Damien Pleming

Hugh Peachey's success at the Glossy Awards

2011-10-04T09:36:00.007+11:00

Ambra's Clio Sealed Section, shot by Hugh Peachey, has won in the fashion section at the 2011 Glossy Awards. I asked Hugh to give us an insight into the shoot and the work he does with Ambra, here's what he said:
"For starters I think it's worth mentioning that I do all of Levante's and Ambra's stocking, legging and Lingerie photography, for their pack shots and advertising campaigns. Have been doing it for over 2 years now. So it didn't really challenge me in a different way because I am used to shooting legs...tough job hey :)
The inspiration came from a short film clip I shot called blacklight (check out the film on Hugh's site). It's a style I don't get to shoot as often as I would like but yes, I'm into the dark, moody and sexy ascetics of this shoot."

Damien Pleming and the remains of bad men...

2011-09-30T09:37:00.009+10:00

"I was very honoured to recently be involved in producing an intriguing story about Ned Kelly's remains, which was run in Good Weekend Magazine. It was an incredible experience being present with the bones of Ned and to meet the team of specialists who have studied various aspects of his life and death.
To this day, nobody knows the location of Ned Kelly's real skull. The skull I photographed, believed to be his, until now, is thought to actually belong to Frederick Deeming...A murderer from the same period as Ned who is speculated to be Jack the Ripper."
Damien Pleming

Damien Pleming and Akira Isogawa

2011-09-27T10:53:00.004+10:00

"I recently had the pleasure of photographing Akira Isogawa at the Australian Ballet Studios in Melbourne for Qantas Magazine.
Akira designed the costumes for Graeme Murphy's current production of 'Romeo and Juliet'. It was also fantastic directing Senior Artist, Juliet Burnett whilst she transformed a piece of fabric into fluid motion!"
Damien Pleming

SUCCESS for our two Hughs at the International Photography Awards

2011-09-23T10:57:00.006+10:00

Hugh Peachey received an honerable mention in the Professional Self Promotion category for his Red Army shot. Hugh originally did the shoot for his entry into the This Is Red exhibition we did last November.

Two works by Hugh Hamilton received honorable mentions. His LA Roller Derby series received a mention in the Professional Sports category, and the Achieve It campaign he shot in Sydney was mentioned in the Professional Advertising category.

Janyon for Allianz

2011-09-16T10:01:00.005+10:00

Janyon shot off the back of the recent Allianz TVC. Here is what he has to say about the shoot:

"I can't take too much credit as all the cool stuff was done by Animal Logic and Electric Art retoucher Inness Robbins. The challenge for me was to shoot the plates to comp around the elements which didn't exist yet, and were to be created by Animal Logic. Obviously this was all done in the tight time constraints of TVC still shooting, but that goes without saying.."

Steve Baccon's Jeanswest shoot has gone live

2011-09-05T10:34:00.002+10:00

Check out more on the Jeanswest website.

Steve Baccon's work for Westpac

2011-08-30T15:45:00.001+10:00

Who's seen Steve on TV???

2011-08-29T16:49:00.005+10:00

While traveling around Australia shooting off the back of the Westpac TVC somehow photographer/surf lover Steve Baccon managed to creep into the commercial himself!

New work by Zahn Pithers

2011-08-29T16:32:00.003+10:00

Andrew Rochford doctor for Jenny Craig
Still life for Martin Bray Pro Make-up Range

Hugh Hamilton for Good Weekend Magazine

2011-08-26T11:42:00.005+10:00

Hugh Hamilton has been busy in LA. He has recently shot two covers for Good Weekend magazine. One featuring Aussie talk show host Rove McManus, and the other Tom Kuntz aka the man behind the HILARIOUS Old Spice add.

Jason Loucas for Austrade

2011-08-22T09:40:00.003+10:00

Jason has just completed a 2 week shoot with Austrade creating a library of Photographs aimed at promoting the major exports of Australian Food.
The project involved going to cattle stations, sheep farms, orchards and also a series of produce and plated dishes.

Many thanks to Freya Campbell at Austrade.

Hugh Hamilton for the NY Times

2011-08-19T10:15:00.003+10:00

Hugh Hamilton recently shot Meir Doron, left, and Joseph Gelman who have written a book about Arnon Milchan - millionaire spy come Hollywood producer. The story, New Book Tells Tale of Israeli Agent at Home in Hollywood, appeared in the NY Times July 17th.

A good wrap for the Bayer campaign shot by Hugh Peachey

2011-08-15T11:47:00.006+10:00

Bayer campaign shot by Hugh Peachey on Campaign Brief.

Hugh Peachey for CLiO

2011-08-15T10:06:00.002+10:00

Janyon's shoot for NRMA's "We'll look after your babay" campaign

2011-07-26T15:01:00.004+10:00

When confronted with the inevitable "So what do you do?" conversation with a non -industry person, I'm accustomed to getting blank looks when I say I'm an Advertising Photographer. Clearly that info doesn't sink in entirely as the next question is typically "Photographer? Oh so babies and family portraits 'n stuff?" NO!
Although since taking on a cast of nine month olds for the follow up print campaign for NRMA's "We'll look after your Baby" I would now have to admit to shooting the odd baby.

The shoot involved getting the little'uns to assume a neutral all-fours position to mimic a car while capturing just the right expression. Sounds simple enough.....except these little beings were just dying to get up and walk.

These outtakes look like little Ella is demonstrating yoga poses.

And here is one of the final ads.

Zahn Pithers for Panadol's online marketing campaign

2011-07-22T11:25:00.004+10:00

Panadol commissioned Zahn to shoot these clean and elegant portraits purely for their Facebook page. Its amazing how much time and effort goes into online marketing and social media now-a-days!

Hugh Peachey shot the latest campaign for Origin

2011-07-19T10:01:00.005+10:00

Agency: DDB
Art Director: Jake Barrows
Copy Writer: Crystal Fong

Janyon's photographs awarded at AIPP cannon APPAs

2011-07-11T15:04:00.008+10:00

Janyon picked up a silver and silver distinction for his entries into the recent AIPP Canon Australian Professional Photography Awards.

The silver went to this portrait of his father:

And the silver distinction to his portrait of Garth Wood:

Hugh Peachey for TAC

2011-07-11T14:51:00.005+10:00

Hugh shot these portraits off the back of the TVC for the TAC campaign called "Blood Oath" for Grey in Melbourne.

Sally Parker for Asian Home Gourmet

2011-07-11T14:36:00.001+10:00

Funny – A personal project by Damien Pleming

2011-07-11T11:47:00.022+10:00

Fiona O'Loughin

"This series was born of a need for me to express who I am through my photography. Humor and laughter are characteristics I inherited from my father and older siblings. I love to see the funny side of life and believe there is great therapy in a good laugh.
The ideas behind these photos had been floating around in my head for many years. They ended up making so much noise, I had to get them out! With the help of some fantastic subjects and crew members, I've been able to bring these conceptual dreams to life.
Matching my ideas with comedians was the first step. While most of the concepts were already formed, others sprung to life by watching particular comedians, and marrying them with a visual image. For instance, I have great respect for Fiona O'Loughin. She is a woman who has had a very public battle with alcoholism and has managed to incorporate her battle into her humor. Experiencing her performance led me to creating the shot of her bathing in Kahlua and milk. I love the comedy of things that don't belong together. For example, the character Mick Molly plays, dressed as a jokey riding a donkey.
The ability to play a convincing character is an important trait for the performer in each of these photos. I think they have all done a fantastic job in this regard.
As well as a beautiful, simple portrait which truly conveys a person's identity, I'm into theatrical, dramatic photography. Photography is about storytelling and generally the story is told in one frame. That's the photographer's challenge!
As a former actor, having worked with some great directors, I am able to use that experience to draw what I need from my subjects. Sometimes this involves me playing various characters myself from behind the camera to encourage the person in front of it!
I'm not sure when this series will finish, I still have so many ideas to shoot and so many amazing comedians to work with."
Damien Pleming

Mick Molly

The Umbilical Brothers

Akmal Saleh

Tape Worm Monstor shot by Hugh Peachey for Bayer

2011-06-20T10:12:00.009+10:00

Hugh Peachey recently shot this campaign for Bayer's animal health care product Advocate. It was a real team effort with producer Penni working around the clock to track down the correct species of tape worms... who knew there were so many varieties... The fact that there are so few tape worm specialists is not as suprising but eventually Penni found the right Tape Worm Guy who could supply the worms for the shoot.
Hugh worked with retouchers Toby & Pete to create the tape worm monster seen in the ads. The results are appropriately gross.

Janyon for ING

2011-06-14T09:47:00.002+10:00

It is always a challenge shooting alongside the filming of a TVC. Where normally the photographer controls the shoot, on TV filset the photographer has to conform to the schedule and hierarchy of the TV shoot, grabbing the smallest opportunity (as in seconds to minutes) to get the shots the brief calls for. Add to this the historical animosity of the film crew as they get their jobs done, and the overburdened talent who would rather take a break than get a lens in their face for the three hundredth time that day, and the chance of getting a bonus shot from a TVC day is slim.

However when Janyon was shooting a print brief alongside the filming of the current ING TVC, he and AD Ben Pearce saw this cool barbershop near the the location and thought "that might be a nice shot". When a ten minute window between filming presented itself, a quick negotiation with said barber and some very fast lighting and ten frames of shooting resulted in an image that the agency could present as a bonus to the client.

Client loved the image and decided to run it.

Doesn't happen often... But great when it does!

Jon Bader for Kelloggs

2011-05-25T16:01:00.001+10:00

Martin Mischkulnig steps out...

2011-05-23T12:25:00.006+10:00

Martin Mischkulnig was sent on a walk around the Garden House Apartments in Carlton, Melbourne. His aim was to capture the landscape at each step.

352 STEPS

395 STEPS

Take a look at the rest of Martin's journey here: The Garden House

Damien Pleming - Living the dream

2011-05-23T11:29:00.009+10:00

"Growing up footy was my life. The real footy that is, AFL!! I had a taste of the big time in 1995 when I completed pre-season and played 2 games with the Sydney Swans reserves. Typical sob story though, bodgy knee finished that dream and started another.
So when this job shooting the AFL presenters of Channel 10 came up it was a great chance to get amongst footy again. I've gotta say I do love it when the 1st game of the season comes around.
Cheer Cheer the red and the white!!!"
Damien Pleming.

Luke Darcy

Andrew Maher

Kelli Underwood

Matthew Lloyd

Michael Christian and Chris Grant

Malcolm Blight

Damien Pleming - The Making of Melanie's Dress

2011-05-23T10:38:00.004+10:00

This story was based around the dress that Jason Grech and Harry Georgiou spent 120 hours making for Melanie Vallejo of Chanel 7's Winners and Losers to wear to the Logies.

The National Portrait Gallery purchases work by Hugh Hamilton

2011-05-23T09:24:00.003+10:00

The National Portrait Gallery has purchased Hugh Hamilton's portrait of Nobel Prize Winner Dr Elizabeth Blackburn for their permanent collection.

Wood from the Hood a la Janyon

2011-05-18T14:40:00.001+10:00

"I undertook a personal project to do a portrait of Garth Wood (aka Wood from the Hood). Garth is a bit of a bleeder, that is he cuts above the eye easily and his opponents know this is his Achilles heel.

Myself and MUA Michelle Dube thought this would make for an interesting subject and with Michelle's effort we managed to get some time with Australia's most promising middleweight boxer.

The former Rabbitoh's player grew up tough on the (then) mean streets of Redfern, and quit footy to focus on boxing. He won Fox's "the Contender" and shortly after this shoot he went on to knock out Anthony "the Man" Mundine in December 2010.

After shooting some broody and bloody portraits, I wanted to get an opponents POV image that captured the energy and power of a punch from this man. I wondered how scary it must be to receive that right hook in the kisser. I'm sure Mundine knows.... I love the fact that this image puts you there in the ring and you can almost smell the sweat and the lights and the aggression.

As a human being, Garth came across calm and softly spoken, and was a pleasure to work with, but even if he wasn't its not like he was going to get any lip from me."
Janyon

Steve Baccon for Jeanswest

2011-05-17T13:36:00.008+10:00

Jason Loucas - Biota Dining

2011-05-16T15:29:00.004+10:00

Jason is currently working on a project with James Viles at his new restaurant Biota Dining in Bowral.

Dream team: Jon Bader photography | Sally Parker styling

2011-05-16T15:11:00.003+10:00

For Meat and Livestock Australia with BMF

New work by food stylist Sally Parker

2011-05-16T14:09:00.010+10:00

Weight Watchers magazine
Simply Chicken feature:

Weight Watchers magazine
Vietnamese feature:

New packaging for White Wings biscuits:

A bit of fun by Hugh Peachey

2011-05-16T12:34:00.002+10:00

For Ambra

Martin Mischkulnig's book "Smalltown"

2011-05-16T12:02:00.005+10:00

Mischkulnig has said he “set out to document the feeling and quality of what small-town Australia is. I don’t believe that Australians have comfortably settled into their environment and from this I sense a yearning for place”.

The result is a beautiful book filled with images of Australian landscapes that will seem outlandish to most Australians. Journalist Alan Attwood points out these are not images of Australia that we see in mainstream media accompanied by signing children in NapiSan white outfits (www.walkleys.com). Here is a collection of photos pointing out the marks people have left on remote landscapes. Mischkulnig's expert eye for detail picks out those marks which are most at odds with the natural surrounds - a loan McDonald's sign acts as a foreign flag post whose yellow and red is unnatural amongst the drab colours of the desolate landscape.

Mischkulnig's images are accompanied by an essay by celebrated novelist Tim Winton.

Martin Mischkulnig's book Smalltown will be available on Amazon as of the 1st of June.

Hugh Hamilton's LA Roller Derby

2011-05-16T09:57:00.016+10:00

boy these girls have some tattoos....

Jason Loucas

2011-05-16T09:53:00.003+10:00

"Last week I was in central Queensland working on a commercial project for an Australian Energy company. After a long day shoot we headed back to Chinchilla through a road that divides the cotton fields. We stopped to take a look at the sunset and I took a few snaps."

Achievit! campaigne shot by Hugh Hamilton

2011-04-12T10:56:00.013+10:00

Hugh Hamilton flew out from LA to shoot the latest campaign for INova's weight loss shakes - Acheivit! All the talent were shot rigged up and floating in the air suggesting feelings of weightlessness.

Here's what Hugh had to say about the shoot:

"Apart from the actual shoot we did the whole thing over the internet. Cast it, quoted it, retouched it. I only came to Sydney to sit in a studio. We actually didn't have locked in layouts, but rather a series of scenarios- we shot every scenario with each talent and then worked out which was going to work best for the final images.
The talent were fantastic and worked really hard - its much harder than it looks being strung up on those wires (thats me in the red shirt finding out the hard way) and it would be so much more difficult with the extra pounds these guys are carrying! The riggers (Spider Monkey Constructions) were quite concerned about the amount of weight were going to be lifting but in the end it went off very smoothly and he was just what I wanted.
I was really looking for the kind of big guy who would surprise us with his co-ordination. I had this image from the old movie The Hustler in which Jackie Gleason (as Minnesota Fats) had the elegance of a dancer in spite of being, well, really fat. Lucinda ( the female talent) too, had the grace of a ballerina up there on the wire.
Once the day was done I spent Thursday and Friday shooting the background plates, briefed the wonderful Claudia Fitzpatrick about the retouching on Saturday and I was back to Los Angeles first thing Sunday morning! Then the emails went back and forth until we were all happy...."

And here are the final results plus some behind the scenes shots - Look out for Hugh hanging out in the red t-shirt.

Hugh hanging about

Contacts Welcomes Martin Mischkulnig!!

2011-04-05T12:40:00.004+10:00

To see more of Martin's work check out his website.

The Agent AKA The Photographers Rep

2011-03-08T09:36:00.005+11:00

Zahn sent me this link last week. It's an interesting read - looks at the relevance of The Agent from The Art Director's point of view.

A Photo Editor: The Agent AKA The Photographers Rep

Matt Reed for Australian Creative Magazine

2011-02-21T11:33:00.010+11:00

Matt recently shot a series of portraits of Australian and New Zrealand's top 20 most powerful people in advertising for Australian Creative Magazine.

Saying that Matt "shot the series" is actually a bit of a joke. In fact he got each of the advertising heavyweights to take a self portrait. Here are a few examples:

Dulux campaign shot by Hugh Peachey

2011-02-16T16:09:00.005+11:00

Hugh shot this with BBDO in Melbourne.
The little people were about 2 inches tall and hand painted!

Welcome Penni!

2011-02-15T16:11:00.005+11:00

Contacts would like to welcome senior producer Penni Glencross to their production team which includes Mark Gardiner, Ash Woods and Corina Slack.

With a degree in visual arts, Penni dived into the world of photographic assisting before beginning her career as a professional photographer in Sydney. Whilst shooting and producing her own magazine features, corporate and advertising campaigns, Penni discovered her talent and passion of photographic production.

For the past eight years she has produced both national and international campaigns for some of Australias leading photographers.

Whether producing a small still life studio production or guiding a large team on a major location, car or people shoot, Penni is in her element and brings a sense of calm and care to every shoot.

She has also dabbled in the world of presenting working on getupgo tv, run photographic workshops for children through the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and tried to quench her hunger for 4pm sweet time... we have chocolate on board in case she hasn't managed to!

Jason Loucas for Swire Hotels

2011-02-15T14:53:00.007+11:00

Late last year Jason was commissioned by Swire Hotels to photograph their Hong Kong hotel “The Upper House”. It was a one week shoot, then they moved on to Beijing to shoot “The Opposite House”.

Here are a few shots from the shoot.

George Seper for Taste.com

2011-02-09T11:26:00.003+11:00

NSW Gov anti binge drinking campaign TVC stills shot by Janyon

2011-02-07T17:02:00.004+11:00

Janyon worked on on this NSW Government anti binge drinking campaign for Geroge Patts Y and R with creatives David Joubert and Baart Pawlak.

Eamon Sullivan and exploding pool shot by Zahn Pithers

2011-02-07T15:49:00.009+11:00

This image was one from a series taken for One HD's upcoming swim season.

The images were shot in an Olympic swimming pool. Pyrotechnics specialists ran gas lines underneath the surface of the water and carefully controlled the explosions. Olympic swimmers Libby Trickett and Eamon Sullivan had to swim and dive in and around the exploding pool. They were a bit nervous about it at first but eventually warmed up to the idea.

The shoot wrapped at 4.30 in the morning.

Two time World Cup winner Andrew Symonds - Portrait by Zahn Pithers

2011-02-07T15:37:00.003+11:00

Qantas magazine cover shot by Jason Loucas

2011-02-02T15:02:00.002+11:00

See more of Jason's work here and here.

Elgin James shot by Hugh Hamilton for the NY Times

2011-01-20T09:26:00.012+11:00

Hugh shares a bit about Elgin and what it's like shooting for the NY Times:

"Adopted and raised by quaker marijuana farmers, Elgin James turned vegan at the age of eleven after seeing an animal slaughtered on the family farm. He ran away from home at 17 and wound up homeless on the streets. He joined a gang in Boston called FSA (two of the letters stand for well, you can guess), notorious for avoiding alcohol and drugs but also for preying on and stealing from other drug dealing gangs. Somehow he managed to pull himself up from this background and make his way to the Sundance labs to write and direct his first feature film, Little Birds which debuts at this year's Sundance festival.

The New York Times always sends you out with the instruction "to make it look like LA" which I guess means palm trees and sunshine, but Elgin had a minder attached who wouldn't let me leave the vicinity of the cafe...a shame, since we were only a mile or so from the Griffith Observatory which has awesome views of LA and which is of course, iconically LA having been featured in movies beyond count. So in and out of the cafe we were.

I became obsessed with his tattoos since they were literary quotes from people such as John Steinbeck and Arthur Rimbaud. I didn't realise the shot where I had him show me the arm tattoos looks very like he's about to be handcuffed. I'm kind of glad they didn't use that one since it must be noted that Elgin pleaded guilty last year to a charge of extortion in relation to his gang activities. He is actually awaiting sentence at this time."

Read the article in the NY Times.

Fresh as.

2011-01-19T13:59:00.004+11:00

Shot by Zahn Pithers

New work from Janyon

2011-01-18T14:56:00.007+11:00

See more of Janyon's work here

Ronan Keeting for HOG the Harley Davidson magazine - shot by Matt Reed

2011-01-17T10:26:00.010+11:00

Welcom Jason Furnari!!!

2011-01-12T10:41:00.009+11:00

2011 welcomes Jason Furnari to Contacts. Jason has recently moved over from London where he shot for Rolls-Royce. He specializes in car photography and on top of that takes breathtaking landscape shots. Look forward to working with you Jason!

To see more of Jason's work take a look at a selection on the Contacts site and on Jason's website.

Building an Alliance to Aid Films by Blacks shot by Hugh Hamilton for NY Times

2011-01-11T12:46:00.004+11:00

Hugh Hamilton for The New York Times

Ava DuVernay at a screening of her film “I Will Follow,” which will be the first to benefit from a campaign to widen the distribution of black-themed films.

More at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/08/movies/08urban.html?_r=1&hpw

Hugh Hamilton's portrait of James Caan for the New York Times

2011-01-10T09:30:00.005+11:00

Read the article here.

Check out what Hugh says about the shoot on his blog.

This month's cover of Condé Nast Traveller photographed by Jason Loucas

2011-01-10T09:23:00.004+11:00

What Is Red exhibition

2010-12-17T14:15:00.013+11:00

What is red?

For me the answer is always wine, and if the exhibition title had been What Is White? I'm afraid the answer would be the same.

The What is Red exhibition was a showcase of the Contacts' photographers/associated talents' responses to the colour red and I am glad to say they were much more interesting then mine!

Take a look at what they came up with:

Jeremy wrote an interesting piece about shooting these for the exhibition on his blog.
Take a look:
http://jeremyparkphotographer.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/red-exhibition/

Behinde the scenes, Denim & Thread Motion Poster shoot with Alex Weltlinger

2010-12-16T09:38:00.002+11:00

Behind the Scenes, Denim and Thread Motion Poster shoot from Alex Weltlinger on Vimeo.

A selection from the Contacts agency card

2010-12-15T15:24:00.001+11:00

24 Hours at Milawa Cheese Company photography by Jon Bader

2010-12-15T10:48:00.003+11:00

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-14T15:57:00.001+11:00

Jeremy Park's ice addict image selected for ACP's Adland exhibition

2010-12-14T15:18:00.002+11:00