FASHION & BEAUTY PHOTOGRAPHY May 2011

Born and raised in New York City, Alexander Hankoff's work reflects the unabashed, high energy and sophisticated environment he calls home.

As a graduate of both the International Center of Photography and the New York Film Academy, Alexander's unique vision is captured in both photography and motion pictures. The young artist's work has caught the eye of progressive clients such as Apple, Dior, Scion, MasterCard, Johnson & Johnson and The Gap, as well as many international fashion and beauty magazines.

Always looking to expand his vision into new and exciting mediums, Alexander is taking his work into the third dimension with a number of 3D projects slated for release in spring 2011.

Alexander currently lives in Williamsburg Brooklyn. He is represented in NY by ArtWing NY.

New Zealand-born photographer Charles Howells currently splits his time between Sydney, Auckland and Singapore, shooting beauty and fashion images for a range of international magazines and advertising clients.

A solid foundation in still life photography means Charles' advanced technical ability allows him the freedom to focus on the creativity of each shoot. His client list includes Karen magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Pilot and advertisers M.A.C, L’Oréal Paris, Johnson & Johnson and Unilever, to name just a few.

Visit Charles' website to see more of his work.

Retaining the genteel southern charm of his native Virginia, Christopher Logan discovered his passion at an early age. He graduated from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale with a degree in Photography, after which he moved to Milan where he worked for numerous fashion clients.

Christopher has served as the staff photographer for the leader in language learning software, Rosetta Stone. With over one million shutter clicks to his credit, his images are featured within the company's software and advertising materials. He also managed the photo department for the world's leader in family entertainment, Disney on Ice! and Disney Live!, as well as Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Most recently, Christopher joined forces with the anti-bullying campaign "It Gets Better" to shoot celebrity portraits for their cause. He has worked with numerous celebrities including Keri Hilson, Kat Deluna, Cher and Judith Light, and has worked on several look books for designers including Tyler Alexandra, daughter of the late Perry Ellis, for the launch of her luxury handbag line.

Christopher is a master of the lens, well versed in all genres of photography. His studio is located in Downtown Miami, where he produces and creates his signature fresh and clean imagery.

An extreme attention to detail, the ability to orchestrate large sets, the technical savvy to produce the most exquisite lighting schemes and a contagious sense of humour are just some of the assets Claudio Beier uses to consistently go above and beyond his clients' expectations.

After receiving a business degree in Brazil, where he worked in marketing and advertising, he decided to pursue a more creative career in the US. With the conclusion of the Hallmark Institute of Photography's intensive programme, where he graduated with the highest accolades, Claudio moved to Miami where he now shoots advertising, fashion, beauty and portrait photography.

Sao Paulo-born fashion photographer Fernando Mazza graduated in Social Communication from the Methodist University of Sao Paulo and went on to study Photography at the Escola Panamericana de Artes.

He spent time living in New York to complete a number of workshops at the International Center of Photography (ICP). Specialising in fashion photography, he completes his own post production and finishing work to ensure a complete identity across his images.

Fernando's clients include Reebok, Roca Wear, Carrefour, Zoomp Jeans, Handbook Fashion, Smirnoff, Harald, Itapoa Shoes, Hammerhead, Giacometti Agency, BBN Brazil, Metro, and many others.

Highly regarded Sydney-based photographer Henryk Lobaczewski shoots mainly fashion-advertising, beauty and editorial, but his has an expansive portfolio. A beautiful glossiness seems to permeate every section of his work, but it often contains touches that bring it back to the real world - a little imperfection, a little quirk. Looking at his images, it's hard to believe that he is entirely self-taught.

Advertising clients include Inika Cosmetics, Coco&rogers, Lorna Jane, Triumph Lingerie, Identity cut & colour, Toni & Guy, AKA Tognini's, Elio Moda, Westfield, Men's Health, Women's Health, Gary Yang Collection, as well as celebrity portraits such as Angus and Julia Stone and Mike Goldman.

Henryk is based between Sydney and New York and shoots for national and international clients worldwide.

Known for her highly developed aesthetic and technical skills, Michele Aboud's photography has a contemporary feel and is influenced by aspects of everyday life. Michele has distinguished herself through the medium of commercial photography, with her experience and ability to bring an advertising concept or commercial idea to life, winning her many international and national awards for excellence.

International campaigns include Visa with Liv Tyler, Lindt Chocolate, Ferrero Chocolate Italy, Toyota, Smeg Maldives, Singapore Airlines, Clarion Car Stereo Bozell Japan, Thai Airways, Nokia worldwide and Johnson & Johnson Asia and Australia.

Magazines include Interview USA, Vogue Australia, Harper's Bazaar Singapore and Australia, Elle Singapore, Mexico and Australia, OYSTER, Wired USA, Rolling Stone, Noise, Australia Style, Belle Magazine, Vogue Living Australia and Ambiente Germany.

25-year-old Nichol Brooklyn is an upcoming talent. As a photographer, stylist, art director and creative director based in Australia and Asia, she specialises in fashion, editorial, beauty, commercial and portraiture.

Nichol is a sharp shooter, an artist and a visionary. Photography and fashion is her visual playground, where her imagination and creativity run wild. Aside from this, she has a passion for life and beauty, and her work is a reflection of how she sees the world through her lens.

Nichol is currently looking for reps in Australia, Asia and Europe. Visit her website or contact her via email to see more of her work.

Nico Iliev is a New York based photographer specialising in editorial fashion, hair and beauty. Known for his easy-going personality, versatility and insatiable creative curiosity, he offers a bespoke and goal-oriented, yet explorational approach to interpret his client's vision. A contributing trend-spotter to a global research consultancy network, Nico's aesthetic reflects current cultural trends through imagery leaning towards the iconic and timeless.

Nico's editorial work has earned him credits in W Magazine, Elle, Nylon, MODA, FLATT, Grazia, Gotham, The Hamptons Magazine and the New York Times. Current fashion clients include MPatmos, Leroy&Perry, Eugenia Kim, Victor De Souza and Reco Jeans. His hair and beauty work for REDKEN has made him a breakout go-to photographer for the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA).

Paulo Vainer began his career in 1978 as an assistant to photographer Bob Wolfenson. In 1981 he went to New York City to work with Steve Bronstein, and upon returning to Brazil he assisted photographer Andreas Heiniger before starting his own career as a photographer at Abril Publishing House Studios. In 1990, Paulo set up his own studio and has since worked to become one of the leading fashion and advertising photographers in Brazil.

Simultaneously, in 1991 he began working as a DOP with directors Ricardo Van Steen, Walter Salles and Andrucha Waddington. With this valuable experience, Paulo quickly began his career as a film director, working for major ad agencies throughout Brazil.

In 2004 he launched his first feature as a DOP, 'Noel - O Poeta da Vila' (Ricardo Van Steen). Alongside his commercial work, Paulo has taken part in several collective and solo exhibitions at MASP, Galeria Luiza Strina and Galeria Vermelho.

Renato del Valle was born in Sao Paulo and studied film and photography. During his studies, he won a scholarship to Germany before moving to Chile where he developed his professional photography and digital post production work.

Renato's 14 years of experience in professional photography, creating advertising campaigns, fashion imagery and portraiture whilst developing wide-ranging technical skills in lighting and post production have given him the opportunity to work with leading agencies and media publishing both in Chile and around the world.

Shirin Ourmutchi is based in Berlin and Hamburg and has worked for seven years as a freelance photographer shooting fashion, beauty and people.

Shirin shoots editorials, campaigns, celebrities and portraits. Her clients include magazines and designers Grazia, Dior Cosmetics, Freundin, Für Sie, Bams, Icon, Style and the Family Tunes, and Berlin Fashion Designers.

Her latest project was to create cover images for Für Sie magazine in Cape Town, as well as a range of people shots for Freundin magazine.

The art of story-telling is an important element in Shirin's work. She loves to create inspiring environments and is always looking for the magic moment.

Simon Pais is a Chilean-born self-taught photographer. From a young age he developed a great interest in drawing, especially female faces and bodies. As a teenager he was introduced by friends to digital cameras, a move that enabled him to go further into portraiture and retouching.

His professional career began in 2006 at the age of 19. He has already shot numerous covers, one of which won him a place in fashion where he is now highly regarded within the Chilean industry.

Spectacular Studios is not only a successful artist representation agency but a thriving platform of creativity in the heart of Stockholm.

Representing some of the best creatives worldwide is only a fraction of the agency's strength. Getting their hands dirty in the production process from start to finish is where the team holds its real power.

Spectacular Studios recently focused its efforts and resources on establishing a platform for hair and beauty. Whyy Studio is headed by Maria Oldenstedt, one of the agency and Sweden's leading hair stylists and make-up artists.

New York-based photographer Steve Reganato has been working in the photographic industry for over 15 years, specialising in editorial, portraiture and fashion. He is known for his clean studio imagery and strong lighting technique.

Most recently, Steve has been doing more work on location and enjoys the challenges of new and interesting environments. Lately, he has been sought out to shoot images of musicians and other rising talent from both management agencies and magazines.

Working outside of the mainstream, Steve's images have appeared in Fashionisto, Nuovo Magazine, Rising Magazine, Fanstaticsmag, and others.

International photographer Tracey Morris is most accredited for her captivating work in the fashion industry. Based in both New York and Los Angeles, she has shot for high fashion, beauty and celebrity clients around the world.

Tracey graduated with a BA in Photography from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. Over the past 10 years she has continued to thrive, leaving an impressive mark on the world with her iconic images.

Tracey’s passion in life is her photography. Her remarkable ability for composition comes from within, and she lives for emotion and movement that she captures in each and every image.

Buenos Aires based photographer Urko Suaya specialises in fashion and advertising photography for brands such as Paruolo, Isadora, Ayres and Rebel Models, as well as many other leading Argentinean fashion brands.

With more than 20 years in the industry, Urko is one of Argentina's most prestigious photographers. Urko’s photography has it's own unique style, which reflects his personality and his eye for fashion also permeates his works.

In this feature Urko Suaya presents his best collections of work.

Please check his website for more information.

Yu Tsai’s talent and rapport with women are just a few reasons why celebrites flock to work with him. His roster features a number of prestige faces, including Anne Hathaway, James Franco, Janet Jackson, and many more.

Tsai is a “go-to” name for Flaunt, and his editorial work has led to bigger and better things, including high-profile campaigns for Guess, Bebe, Apple, Lexus, Free Soul Italy, Vince Camuto, BCBG, and others.

Yu Tsai is represented by Opus.