Photographer Friedrun West studied fashion and textile design in Vienna as well as painting and graphic design at the University of Applied Arts. She started her professional career as a self-employed graphic artist then switched to advertising photography. She owns Vienna’s biggest photo studio but still prefers to take photos on location. She especially loves digital artwork, from the original photo right through to the final print.

Friedrun has created a lot of photo artwork for packaging clients and has generated an extensive fruit and plant archive for her product images.

"Digitally, everything is possible.“

digitalkameraverleih offers the most comprehensive Pentax 645D medium format system for rent in Europe, and has just recently added the long awaited DA 645 25mm f/4 ultra-wide-angle lens to its line-up. This lens is built to exacting optical and mechanical standards with dust-proof and weather-resistant construction and a unique pull-out polarizing filter.

One of the most anticipated cameras in 2012 is certainly the Canon EOS 5D Mark III with its much improved AF system and better low-light capabilities. digitalkameraverleih is the first company in Austria to offer the 5D Mark III for rent. Other new rental equipment includes the latest versions of Canon's 300mm f/2.8 telephoto and 14mm f/2.8 ultra-wide-angle lenses.

A very welcome tool for on-location work is the Profoto BatPac power supply. It is a high capacity power source that can be used for flash lights as well as electrical devices such as computers, wind machines and more.

Jakob Polacsek (1976) studied communications at the University of Vienna. After graduating in 2003, he worked in various media related branches including journalism, film and advertising. As of 2005 his professional focus narrowed down to photography.

Be it editorial or advertising, Jakob's main subject is people which is where his strength lies. Excellent communication skills together with a keen eye for composition and detail allow him to consistently get the shot. His work has been published in magazines and campaigns around the world.

Clients include Sony, Samsung, 3, Adidas Eyewear, Redbull, Uniqa, NY Times and Brand Eins.

Visit his website for more information.

Rotfilter is a leading Vienna-based post production and CGI company specialising in creating and refining photographic imagery across advertising, fashion and art. 

Latest work featured in this Showcase includes:

• Manner confectionery from Austrian conglomerate Josef Manner & Comp AG. Together with lead agency Demner, Merlicek und Bergmann, Rotfilter created a unique collage style.
• Münze Österreich, internationally renowned for its know-how in precious metal processing and coin production, is a global player in the international minting industry. JWT Vienna created the idea for this shoot together with a top still life photographer and CGI rendering from Rotfilter.
• Casinos Austria is a leading national and international gaming company with numerous locations in Austria and abroad. To be stylish, modern and up-to-date were the main goals for agency Lowe GGK Vienna for the new campaign, with Rotfilter building a 3D casino room.
• Wiener Blut, the Austrian fragrance house, creates novel perfumes based on original themes and recipes of 19th-century Vienna. Together with founder Alexander Lauber, art director Alexander Wiederin and photographer Günter Parth, Rotfilter created a stylish and exclusive world.

Christian Maislinger was born 1974 in Austria and his first passion was sports, especially the 110m hurdles. During his career as a professional athlete, he discovered his love for photography. In 1998 he began as an assistant at a well-established studio in Salzburg. At that time he focused on analogue art photography and worked for international artists and galleries such as Thaddaeus Ropac.

Christian currently runs his own studio in Salzburg and shoots advertising campaigns as well as fashion and lifestyle editorials for international clients and magazines. He recently photographed campaigns for Jette Joop, Lagermax , the "Voice of Germany” finalist Sharron Levy for Sprizzero, and a British campaign for Paul Green shoes.

Christian is currently looking for an agency.

Welcome to Showcase Vienna, brought to you by Production Paradise. We present the very best of the Austrian capital's visual media industry, with much more information available in our dedicated Photo and Film directories.

Be sure to check our featured events:

• The Vienna Festival for Fashion & Photography (29th May - 6th June) will present contemporary trends from Austrian and international designers. Numerous fashion shows and exhibitions on fashion photography and the magazine industry are spread across the city. The Austrian Fashion Awards will also be part of the event.
• VIS Vienna Independent Shorts WIEN, 6th - 10th June, Austria's leading short film festival.

Our cover image was shot by Norbert Kniat.

Wagner Productions provides production services for photography and moving image shoots. 

The company works on shoots in Austria, the Alpine Region, and also throughout Europe. Wagner Productions is equally comfortable shooting in Alpine environments, snow-bound locations, remote landscapes or urban settings. 

Productions include shoots with photographers such as Christian Schmidt, Emir Haveric, Erik Chmil, Mats Cordt, Tom Mennemann, Frithjof Ohm, Josh Olins and Stephane Sednaoui.

"Pictures awaken one's desires and dreams, they enliven texts and explain content. Our focus is communication with the help of illustration and photography. For our clients, we visualize the tangible and intangible content. For publishers, advertising agencies, marketing departments, lawyers and hospitals we make visuals for packaging, print media, walls, digital media, traditional advertising, characters, exhibition stands, animations and movies. We offer comprehensive advice on style and aesthetics, technique, colour, line management, lighting, casting and location."

Founded by Caroline Seidler in 2004, the company has received numerous awards including CCA, ADC Europe, Cannes Festival, Binder Award, International Advertising Festival of New York, Lürzers, Novum, Freistil, Poster4tomorrow and the Children and Youth Book Prize of the City of Vienna.

"In 2012 we have dedicated portfolios to these themes; we call these the 'wish portfolios.'" Caroline Seidler, CEO.

Clients include design studios, advertising agencies, publishing companies, direct clients including lawyers, management consultants, banks and insurance firms, as well as trading and industrial companies.

Sergej Benedetter is an internationally renowned make-up artist, hair stylist and luminary between art and fashion. Born in Russia in 1969, Sergej moved to Vienna in the early 90s with nothing but his creativity. He soon became a make-up artist and hair stylist for top models around the globe, and also began working on prestigious photo productions. These jobs brought him permanent engagements in cities such as Milan, Paris, Tokyo, London, Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Sergej's talent has been in great demand worldwide for over 15 years, working for international clients such as Harper´s Bazaar, Vogue and Madame Figaro. His vision has been well received across a variety of different genres as he was among the first to seriously explore the area between styling and art.

He has participated in fashion shows all over the globe and has worked for international clients such as Mercedes, Villeroy&Boch, Adidas and many more. As of 2009, Sergej has been official head of hair and make-up for MQ Vienna Fashion Week. Recently, he has worked on photo production and castings for Great Length, L'Oréal and Schwarzkopf, and for fashion shows by Schwarzkopf and L'Oréal with various star coiffeurs.

"Sweet dreams, smart minds, clear visions are Leitmotiv for the stories that pictures should tell In food, life, fashion or advertising." 

Matej Fišer makes contemporary food concepts, not just images. From molecular gastronomy to all the classics, inventive food designers and young chefs - all graduates of Le Cordon Bleu - assist in helping the studio to complete projects across food, fashion and advertising photography.

A fusion of styles, emotions and techniques are the essence of images that contain a flair for life.