AMERICAN SOUTHWEST PHOTOGRAPHERS Apr 2013

Blair Bunting's impact on the photography and advertising communities has been immense. Widely recognised for his vibrant and unique imagery and lighting, his advertising clientele includes Pepsi, General Motors, Adidas, Discovery Networks, British Petroleum, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship series.

Additionally, Blair has worked with numerous movie and television personalities, professional athletes and high profile politicians. His editorial and portraiture work has appeared in countless national and international newspapers and magazines such as The New York Times, Business Week, Cosmopolitan, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN Magazine.

David Stoker creates characters. Whether professional talent or a person off the street, he crafts an environment for them, coaxes just the right expression and makes a story come to life - a story that’s full of atmosphere and curiosity.

A former art director, David brings his agency experience to help push the creativity and conceptual strength of his images. He understands first hand the dynamics between client, agency and the desire to produce great work that's both commercial and artistic.

David's work has been recognised in Communication Arts Photo Annual, Communication Arts Fresh online, Graphis 100 Best in Photography, PDN’s Photo Annual, Luezer's Archive, and the International Photography Awards (IPAs).

Douglas Merriam travels extensively on assignment, capturing the essence of place, people and cuisine. He splits his time between Portland, Maine and Santa Fe, New Mexico, travelling everywhere in-between shooting food, farms, travel and lifestyle for magazines, ad agencies, and cookbook publishers.

His passion is anything food related, ranging from food on the vine to the people who grow and cook it, as well as following the journey of food to plate.

When not on assignment he can be found growing his own food and cooking it with his wife and daughter in their tiny kitchen.

Grant Heaton has been around cameras and images his entire life. His dad gave him his first camera, an Ansco, when he was eight years old, which he still has to this day. In a professional career with 30 years' experience, Grant still finds beauty in a simple still life or a sweet smile beautifully given. Whether shooting on location or in the studio, he works comfortably with clients, crew and friends, having an enjoyable experience with all.

Iain Bagwell: English. Sexy English accent! Keen Eye. Quick. Calm attitude. Somewhat opinionated.

Passionate foody! Obsessed with pork and beating last marathon time. All day soccer with the boys and expert tennis player. Very healthy guy! Wonderful and loving Dad, hates flying but well on the way to second million miles, has to be in seat 3A and keep the Heineken flowing.

Best meal - Rabbit and lobster in a heavy cream brandy sauce (the original surf and turf) in Barcelona with friends...lasted eight hours - laughter, cocktails and friends.

Clients include Martha Stewart, Food & Wine, Publix, Sunset, Delta Airlines, Kraft Foods, Cooking Light, Southern Living, Weight Watchers, American Airlines and Pfizer.

Specialties include emotional food photography, fun food shoot tricks and gourmet cook.

Iain is represented by Quitze Nelson, Dallas, TX. and Denver, CO. 214-660-0887.

Jeff Heger is one of those detail guys. He loves it when the last shot on a Friday afternoon, after a week's worth of photography with a massive travel schedule, comes together.

He says: "The people are great, products all work, the security guard lets us shoot, and magic happens. The client loves the images and we all go have a great dinner."

Jeff has travelled the planet shooting for Fortune 500 firms for over 25 years. He has worked on every continent except Antarctica (although he did shoot within 500 miles of its shores). Clients like the fact that nothing fazes him on location. He stays on time and on budget, and clients really like the fact that he brings back more useable images than they thought possible.

John Parrish has the "best smile - ever!" and is experienced enough to play with light. He manages to find the personality, the whimsy and the signature in a piece of beautifully crafted design. With a huge heart and camping whenever/wherever, his two daughters are his world. "Healthy, happy and wise! Best friend!"

Specialties include

• Juggler, balls, bowling pins, projects.
• Biking Hotter than Hell in August.
• Lighting on set - Spectacular.
• Amazing client relationships.
• Lively lunch time conversations.

John is represented by Quitze Nelson, Dallas, TX and Denver, CO. 214-660-0887.

Ken Ross is an independent commercial photographer based in Los Angeles, California, who specialises in travel, location, people and corporate photography. Educated in the US and Switzerland, Ken began his photography career while residing in Sydney, Australia in 1985.

Ken has photographed over 90 countries - his eventual goal is to photograph 101. His photographs have also appeared in many books published in the US and Europe, including his own book project, 'Real Taste of Life'. In 2008, his work was exhibited in the US, the Philippines, Japan and Mexico.

His client list includes Visa, American Express, Apple, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Cartier, Sony, Condé Nast, Geo Magazine, Newsweek, Stern, Der Spiegel, Frommers and Fodors.

Kyle Dreier's wife would describe him as “sensitive, creative, considerate, mildly handsome.”

His three boys say he is “tall, strong, old, silly.”

Specialties include dumpster diving, entertaining ideas, thinking while sleeping.

Favorite food - anything baked but with a particular weakness to pies or anything with "chocolate" in the name.

Favorite day: pie for breakfast, wander the town hand in hand with his love Amy and a mocha, catch a movie (and likely another slice of pie), and then retreat with his three boys for some good ol' fashion wrestling and root beer floats.

Kyle is represented by Quitze Nelson, Dallas, TX and Denver, CO. 214-660-0887.

Mark Maziarz specialises in environmental portraiture of an evocative nature, highlighting his subjects' nature while retaining depth and backstory in the image. Mark values research and a personal involvement with the subject and client as an integral part of his photographic approach.

His unique shooting process with a large hand-built camera results in a flattering portrait style that's been described as introspective, painterly and “vintage modern.” His work has been used in annual reports, consumer and trade magazines, and by music and entertainment partners.

Originally from Chicago, Mark has lived in the mountains of Park City, Utah for over 22 years. His easy-going demeanour, prompt response times, and glowing client reviews make him a top choice among creative directors, photo editors, art directors, and private clients.

"Energy. Voracious reader. Passion for the Arts. History buff. Guitar - addicted. Weekend Warrior. Snow ski/board enthusiast - can't tell you where...I’d have to kill you. Baseball, basketball, lacrosse. Parsons School of Photography. Painter. Jazz, Rock & Rap. Transportation - bicycle, always."

Clients include Bank of America, Russell Athletic, Pepsi and AT&T.

Specialties: High energy, hours and hours of amazing music for shoots, large production, in-house digital, 4000 sq ft. space in Chelsea.

Paul is represented by Quitze Nelson, Dallas, TX and Denver, CO. 214-660-0887.

Shawn Collie is a commercial photographer based in Austin, Texas specialising in advertising, editorial, fashion and interiors. His education as an artist and background in graphic design has provided him with a sharp understanding of light and composition.

Shawn’s approach to his work allows him to seamlessly combine concept with technical ability in order to produce dynamic imagery with elegant lighting and unique storytelling ability.

Shawn’s work has been featured in various publications including Austin Monthly, Interiors Magazine, Luxe and Western Art & Architecture.

Director/Photographer Stewart Cohen is known for his subtle yet effective fashion in which he directs people, and for the enthusiasm and energy he brings to all assignments. His visual approach is honest, resonant, authentic and cinematic. He moves seamlessly between large-scale productions and smaller intimate shoots keeping his visual acuity sharp.

Visit his website to see more work and contact Adrian at the studio via email or on +1 214.421.2186.

For over 20 years, Tim Pannell has breathed life through the lens into commercial photography for the advertising industry. His innovational thinking connects classic concepts to a modern narrative told through his vibrant, colourful style. He brings to set an infectious enthusiasm that moves through his crew right into every image, making the complexity of a shoot seem effortless.  

Specialising in people, lifestyle and sports images, Tim holds a portfolio with clients including Aetna, Apple, AT&T, Champion Sportswear, Citibank, Coca-Cola, Costco, Dupont, Hewlett Packard, Liberty Mutual, McDonald’s, Proctor & Gamble and Sprint.

Brian Twede has made a career of creating amazing images with light and shadow, fire and water. For over 25 years, his imagery has helped to build many Fortune 500 companies from mere start-ups. With clients around the world, his unique creative style produces images that demand attention.

An expert in light and fire painting, he creates fantastic photographs that defy explanation. Brian has created a totally new genre, and his love affair with light also extends to the places and people that he captures, wrapping his subjects with light in exquisite ways that compel the viewer to soak-up every saturated detail.

Weston Hall is an award-winning photographer living at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and shooting in the diverse seasons and terrains of Utah.

His astute eye and natural talent create authentic and stunning portraits, exotic landscapes and powerful still imagery. Weston loves exploring the planet and feels honored to have photographed some of the most remote and exotic locations on earth.

Recent projects include include VIA motors, Rolls Royce, Greg Norman, Dunning Golf, Dental Select, Baddass Nutrition.

Visit his website to see more of his work.