Nancy Gallardo was born in Venezuela, and studied Arts at the Universidad Central de Venezuela. She was introduced to the fashion industry while working as a model.

Today, she takes her inspiration from the passion she sees in people's faces, as well as playing with colour. She tells us that she is also inspired by film, painting, photography, fashion, people and nature.

She has worked with magazines including Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, Flair, GQ, You Magazine, Zink and InStyle.

She has collaborated on fashion shows for Fendi, Missoni, Roberto Cavalli, Etro, Extè, Armani, Versace, Ferrè, Valentino, Rocco Barocco, Ralph Lauren, Marithè and Francois Girbaud.

Nancy is currently based in Milan but tells us she takes pleasure in travelling and working all over the world.

Recent campaigns and catalogues completed by fashion photographer Crescenzo Mazza:

• Campaign and catalogue for Takeshy Kurosawa spring/summer 2007
• In Miami, shooting for Bee Band spring/summer 2007 campaign
• Shooting in Sorrento for Giorgia & Johns campaign spring/summer 2007
• Kids campaign for Armont & Blain in Miami at The Everglades National Park

Julia Krahn's work includes advertising and fashion editorials. She tells us she is currently expanding her work, concentrating especially on kids photography.

In the last year, she shot editorials/covers for Mood magazine, Collezioni and Junior.

Her most recent campaigns include

• Yoga - drink
• Audi - accessories
• Fila - eyewear
• Sting - eyewear
• Special Day and Glitter - kidswear
• Atlantique and DJ swimwear

Julia also continues to realise her own art projects, with her latest solo exhibition running from March to May at the Galleria d'Arte Magrorocca in Milan.

Since it was launched in 1995, Axis has worked in exhibition architecture, analysis and planning - with a focus on three main areas: exhibition design, graphic design and interior design.

The company tests global design solutions, providing a service that integrates all elements of communication to express a clear, single message.

Constant research into aesthetically pleasing solutions that are realistic from a structural and logistic point of view with a high visual appeal, is what Axis aims for... creating 'a final product that strictly adheres to the client's initial brief and plan'.

Welcome to the very first edition of Showcase Milan to coincide with the launch of our brand new Milan directory at www.productionparadise.com.

Two forthcoming Milan events that we would like to mention:

Io e Gli Altri by Elliott Erwitt - at the International Centre for Photography, Forma until 17 June. This exhibition, dedicated to Elliott Erwitt, includes 80 portraits and self-portraits from the artist's career.

Online fashion magazine Iconique launches the Iconique Societás Excellence in Fashion Photography Awards with the aim of shining the international spotlight onto the best contemporary fashion photographers. Deadline for entries is 15 June 2007. See our feature below for further details.

Our selected photo is shot by Julia Krahn.

A multipurpose space for use as a location for photo shoots, videos, events and presentations, artmouse offers:

• rent-a-location
• search location
• concept and production fitting out exhibitions
• event coordination
• rental of furniture, materials
• concept web, graphic, brand image, brochure, etc.
• rent technologic equipments and audio/video/lights assistance
• style food
• catering

Franco Chimenti has been shooting advertising, architecture, interiors and still life since the 80s.

In collaboration with major agencies, studios, companies and magazines operating in these sectors, Franco shoots advertising campaigns, catalogues and editorials, alternating his commercial and personal work.

He says that he 'is attentive and curious to put himself to the test in different sectors', and uses digital and film but 'the quality of film is unparalleled in terms of quality and performance.'

Clients include Black & Decker, Briko, Cassina, De Padova, Dubin, Ermenegildo Zegna, Flos, Frank Muller, Lema, Living Divani, Natuzzi, Pomellato, Riva Cantieri, Technogym, Wella and Zanussi.

Located downtown of Milan, Matteo Tranchellini Studio operates at the national and international level developing top-level projects. The studio's professionalism, experience and skills are available to photographers and advertising agencies.

Photo post-production includes not only the ability to master techniques but is also synonymous with style and creativity - integral aspects of developing excellent jobs.

The studio also specialises in mattepaint for movie production: 3D, digital cromalin, scanner imacon and all technology used is state-of-the-art.

Major clients include McCann Erickson, Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis, Leo Burnett, Gucci, Pirelli, Maserati, Heineken, Algida, Barilla and Vodafone.

SCL is a production and service company based in Milan and Cagliari (Sardinia) since 1998. The company offers support for planning and managing commercials, photo shoots, films, video clips, documentaries and events.

The experience developed through collaborations with more than 50 production companies, agencies and brands such as Armani, Film Master Group, The Bank, Alfa Romeo, Ducati, Diesel, Vodafone, allows SCL to offer 'quick and reliable answers to every production requirement and budget'.

Online fashion magazine Iconique.com and creative agency and think tank Societás launch the 'Iconique Societás Excellence in Fashion Photography Awards' to bring the international spotlight onto the best contemporary fashion photographers.

Both up-and-coming and established professional fashion photographers from every generation and country are invited to submit an original fashion editorial, which encapsulates the theme 'Fête des Fleurs' (Party of Flowers).

The judging panel includes winning art director Marc Atlan, hat couturier Louis Mariette, fashion designer Arkadius, McCann's Head of Global Brand Innovation, Justin Champney, Iconique founder Joost van Gorsel and Co-founder of the awards, Melissa Sterry, CEO of Societás.