KIDS PHOTOGRAPHY Feb 2012

Featured in this Spotlight is a range of recently completed editorial and campaign work from Hamburg-based people and kids photographer Alexandra Klever.

• Himbeer Magazine - Alex not only shot but also art directed this playful kids’ editorial for Himbeer Magazine, just released in Germany. "Outdoors going indoors in a way that only kids can do." 
• Indochine lookbook - Alex created this wonderful little story photographing babies with ethnic backgrounds for a lookbook for Berlin designer project InternationalWardrobe. 'Indochine 2011' is the name of the collection and it is a combination of vintage clothing collected from east Asian countries.

Anna Bussolotto, based in Padova, has steadily developed her photographic style, her pictures featuring great spontaneity even in posed shoots. 

Anna specialises in fashion and advertising photography of children, working closely with Style Piccoli ed., RCS and My Holiday Magazine. Her work is recognisable not only for the clarity of her images but also for her extraordinary ability to interact with children so as to bring out the best in them, without losing their instinctive natural reactions.

Anna shoots both in the studio and on location, collaborating with a wide variety of baby models that she selects through periodic casting. She also photographs newborns for baby care advertising.

Anthony began mentally creating images at an early age, but it wasn’t until a skateboard accident in high school that he began to commit those images to film. His first submission was on the photo editor's desk at Skateboarder Magazine by the time the stitches and casts came off.

At first, he specialised in still life work, but found himself photographing kids more and more: "I have been fortunate to have some pretty diverse clients over the years, and that has allowed me to satisfy my passion for shooting a wide range of subjects, from kids to portraits to products. A strong influence in my work is a sense of wonder, which I keep in shape as the parent of a son who constantly amazes me."

Anthony believes the key to a successful shoot is solid preparation, keeping yourself open to collaboration, and above all, having a sense of humor.

He has lived on the westside of Los Angeles his entire life, and he has also traveled the world, spending a considerable amount of time in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the South Pacific.

"I still skate the occasional empty pool - only now, I wear a helmet."

Specialising in lifestyle, kids and advertising photography, Catherine Gailloud is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. She is a people photographer whose clients appreciate her professional approach, something she learned from spending 15 years in San Francisco where she studied at the Academy of Art University from where she received a BFA and then an MFA in photography.

Catherine has worked for many years as a photographer for different advertising agencies and design studios and has had the opportunity to travel on assignments throughout the United States, South America and Europe.

Clients include Logitech, Pathé Cinema, Swisscom, Sunrise, BCV, Switcher, HP, Femina, Edelweiss, Edipresse, Migros, COOP, Valser, Retraites Populaires,  Swatch, Loterie Romande, and many more.

David Handley is a renowned and award-winning photographer who has specialised in photographing children and babies for the last 12 years.

He shoots regularly for commercial and editorial clients worldwide such as Ralph Lauren, Boden, M&S and Next.

He is known for his ability to capture the naturalness of his subjects, as well as his compositional aptitude and knowledge of natural and studio lighting.

David collaborates with a team who regularly works with children and as a collective provides a child friendly and fun working environment.

Gary creates exceptional visual content across print and digital media for a global client base, personally committed to producing innovative work that is creatively led. The unique style of photography is focused on lifestyle that is bright, airy and natural-looking to portray real life situations in a variety of environments.

The  services extend to delivering full media solutions from the production of still and motion photography, with expertise in creative direction, technical proficiency and production management. Handling briefs with a considered approach, Gary is able to develop ideas, direct the visualisations, offer effective solutions that achieve successful final realisations, delivered on time and within budget.

High-profile commissions and collaborations are broad based and used in an abundance of media and across all platforms. Ultimately markets that demand images with high visual quality, fantastic composition and subtle light, that evoke a genuine emotional response.

Ian Boddy photographs children of all ages, from newborns to teens for editorial, design, retail and advertising clients in the UK and abroad.

Ian is represented in the UK by Zara Ronchi.

Visit his website for updates and recent work.

John Athimaritis is based in Athens and works as a professional photographer specialised in portraiture and kids fashion. John's studio is a ground-floor loft located in the lively and artistic neighbourhood of Gazi in the centre of Athens. The studio enjoys plenty of daylight and features a fully equipped kitchen. Ideal for portraiture, fashion, food, still life or art events, clientele include fashion designers, gourmet magazines, actors, musicians and dancers. 

In cooperation with a trusted network of professionals John provides worldwide services, photo retouching and content creation in both English and Greek.

Check the website to see more of his work.

Milan-based photographer Lorenzo Scaccini specialises in kids images and is currently working with advertising agencies and fashion magazines.

Although based out of his Milan studio, he often travels abroad to shoot for clients including Datch, Dolce&Gabbana,Gucci, Ray-Ban, Versace, Vogue Bambini, Collezioni Bambini, and many others.

Visit his website for more information.

Milan-based professional freelance photographer Mariacristina Vimercati specialises in portraits, fashion (men and kids), reportage and advertising photography.

Recent projects include:

• Sportweek Magazine 2011
• 70/70 Horovitz NYC, Offucina Eclectic Arts 2011.
• Uno Stradivari per la Gente - Villa Gnecchi Ruscone 2011.
• Domus Magazine.
• Inter Abbonamenti season tickets.
• Verve International Review.
• Lavazza Espression.
• Décor Living Magazine.
• Geox Respira global campaign, S/S 09, F/W 08/09.

Clients and publications include Lavazza, Geox Respira, Ferrero, Inter Abbonamenti, Max Mara, Elle Italia, Casa Vogue, Uomo Vogue, UOMO (ed. Futura), DDN Design International,GB Progetti (ed.Progetti), Verve Magazine, Io Donna (Rizzoli), Max (Rizzoli), Capital (Rizzoli), and Sportweek (Rizzoli).

Marcus Renken is a Hamburg-based fashion photographer with a special affinity for kids. While many collegues find co-operation with children hard and stressful, Marcus is still curious and excited to find the keys to trust, "the essential ingredient to getting your models to feel free and be themselves," he says.

In recent years Marcus has woked for a large number of catalogues including Jako-o, Fitz, Steiff, Otto, Bonprix, Tchibo, Whoopy, Stummer and Mills Fashion. He travels a lot but also likes to shoot from his daylight studio in Hamburg, particularly because many jobs now include elements of graphic and post production.

Marcus has the talent to shoot both with available light to achieve pure images, even under extreme conditions, and also from mobile light sources for an artificial look. "Light is always the most important thing for a photographer," Marcus says. "Regardless whether it's natural or electric, you need to feel it before you you can deal with it."

Matt Harris is an award-winning London-based photographer who specialises in working with kids and people.

Matt has been very busy over the last few months shooting images in the UK, Canada, Mongolia, Guatemala and Cuba.

Clients have included Lilliput Fashion, Maui Jim sunglasses, Sweetwater Travel, Flora margarine and a number of pharmaceutical brands.

See more of Matt's work at his website.

Matt is represented in the UK by Sharon Brandman.

Nina W. Melton is dedicated to kids fashion photography and has had a wonderful 2011 working for great editorial clients in Miami and Barcelona.

She also shot the latest catalogue and campaign 'Vuelta al Cole' for Spain's largest department store El Corte Inglés, as well as the upcoming summer campaign for Boboli. She is currently planning a trip to Miami to shoot for a range of different clients.

Nina is now represented by Traska Photographers in Hamburg.

Photographer Steve Mason brings 25 years experience delivering creative solutions to some of the world's largest advertising and branding providers. 

His creative goal is to always give back more than expected while delivering the unexpected. His personal goal is to make clients look good and to have fun doing it.

Specialising in lifestyle and active lifestyle photography, Steve's authentic and emotional images capture life in a relaxed and enjoyable way. His photography with children has produced some of his best work and he always seeks out opportunities to create more.

Visit his website to see additional examples of his work or email Steve directly.