Born in Japan, Isamu Sawa (or ‘Issey’ to his friends) immigrated to Australia in 1982 and began his professional photography career in 1996. Based in Melbourne, he is one of Australia’s most in-demand advertising photographers, specialising in cars and having shot numerous national campaigns for clients including GM Holden, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, Subaru, Mazda, Nissan, BMW, Mini, Toyota and Mitsubishi. His other commercial clients include Jack Daniel’s, Lindeman's, Penfolds, Domaine Chandon, Harrolds and more.

As a major career highlight, in 2014 Issey was commissioned to photograph a one-off Mercedes-Benz SL-Class along with French couturier Jean Paul Gaultier, who designed the unique vehicle with his signature blue stripes as part of his exhibition The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.

Issey is represented by one of Australia’s leading creative management agencies Hart & Co. and together can provide full in-house production services.