PORTRAITURE & CELEBRITY PHOTOGRAPHY Nov 2024

"An introvert myself, I'm sensitive to the ephemeral connection between photographer and subject, and the importance of building trust to capture that ineffable essence that makes a person who they are. The moment the subject surrenders to the process and is no longer 'performing', and becomes vulnerable, is magic. I find human faces endlessly interesting, and I strive to capture expressions that provoke consideration and further examination.

When not engaged on client projects, I enjoy developing personal projects that bring awareness to social or personal issues. One recently published project shared the stories of LGBTQ+ hockey players, with the goal of encouraging young athletes who might otherwise quit playing in the face of homophobia and discrimination."

Alun has enjoyed a positive and productive year, creating portraits and moving image content for high end design, editorial and luxury brand clients.

The beginning of the year saw him photograph the artist Maggi Hambling for Sky Arts; this portrait went on to become a finalist in the prestigious AoP awards.

"Everything I do is about collaboration either with the subject or the team around me, being able to communicate a strong narrative, to create that connection between the subject and viewer is all vital in making a portrait".

Genevieve is a seasoned Toronto-based photographer. She is known for her collaborative spirit, her creativity and dedication.

She was chosen to photograph celebrities and CEOs for magazines such as The Wrap, Report on Business, and Infopresse.

Extremely competent at making people feel at ease, her clients trust her to achieve sophisticated and original portraits despite unpredictable circumstances. Her photography is inspired by the work of canadian painter Jean-Paul Lemieux, and the northern winter light of her Quebec home town.

Jonathan Herre is a photographer with a strong passion for adventure and a deep understanding of what it takes to get there, all while keeping it fun and dynamic. After beginning his photography career assisting and shooting in Atlanta, Jonathan relocated to the mountains and deserts of the American West, where he now focuses on capturing and documenting every facet of outdoor life.

With a reputation for doing whatever it takes to 'get the shot', Jonathan’s portfolio speaks for itself. His expertise in finding hidden, off-the-beaten-path locations and his collaborative approach make him stand out, while his photojournalistic flair and background in action sports ensure he's ready for anything on set.

When he’s not working, you’ll likely find him off-roading, camping, and documenting his adventures with his girlfriend and dog. He’s currently on the lookout for a lakeside property near the mountains to indulge in both snowboarding and paddling, all while continuing to document the outdoor lifestyle.

As a creative director and photographer, Michael Hrizuk's unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking has led to iconic campaigns for well-known brands, including the Discovery Channel and National Geographic.

Michael’s approach is deeply rooted in a thorough understanding of brands and a perceptive insight into consumer experiences. His unwavering commitment to producing award-winning work—testament to his dedication and leadership—inspires teams to conceptualise and execute campaigns that truly resonate.

Fuelled by his boundless enthusiasm for creating something new and his drive to challenge creative boundaries, Michael thrives on solutions that exceed client expectations. His approach is best described as holistic, inclusive, and always research-driven.

However, you get so much more from him when you engage him early in the process and offer him the opportunity to understand your business and goals.

Michael’s award-winning work has enabled him to collaborate with the world’s biggest brands, both behind and in front of the camera. As the driving creative force behind brands including Marriott Hotels, Food Network, HGTV, Simpson Motorsports, GE, South Carolina Tourism, and more, Michael has created iconic images and lasting impressions that continue to challenge the possibilities of what creative solutions can achieve while never losing sight of the brand’s objectives.

“When I approach a portrait session, I believe in the preeminence of authenticity and specificity. There are no ‘square pegs’ or ‘round holes,’ only unique form, gesture, and expressiveness. Sensitivity to these temporal and fluid characteristics forms the lion’s share of my work on an environmental portrait assignment.

My aim in portraiture is the ‘marriage’ of subject and environment. Integration is the ‘yeast’ in that marriage; I never leave empty space or a banal background beyond my subjects. In my environmental portrait work, the environment shapes the human subject as much as the subject shapes the environment. It’s a three-dimensional compositional puzzle, enhanced by colour, light, and most importantly… gesture. Gesture is the intangible, unpredictable signature in the shape and movement of the places and people I aim to capture.

This process results in a compelling portrait that poses questions to the viewer and engages them on a deeper level. Authentic and carefully chosen faces, figures, and settings are what stimulate interest in commercial brands. I add value as a photographer by bringing all these elements together for my clients.”

Michael Dominic Tedesco, from TedescoPictures, is a portrait and location photographer based in Nashville, Tennessee, but is often seen working in and walking the streets of major cities and remote towns around the world.

Michael executes every assignment with his uniquely creative approach to capture authentic, well-crafted and compelling images. Prior to relocating to Nashville, Michael was based out of the East Village and East Harlem neighbourhoods of New York City. Michael often splits his time between Nashville, his NYC residence and his cabin outside of Asheville, North Carolina.

This past year Michael had the opportunity to collaborate with multiple Nashville musicians including Jelly Roll for the Country Music Association, Trea Landon (for his singles; 'Think of Somethin’', 'Nothin’', and 'Still a Little Left',) Natalie Stovall of the band Runaway June and one of the hosts of The Grand Ole Opry, as well as a forlorn Wynn Varble sitting in solitude on a dock likely humming the #1 hit song 'Waitin’ on a Woman' (written by Wynn and recorded by Brad Paisley).

Visit Michael’s website to view more of his work.

Michel Juvet, also known as Majicmiju, is a passionate photographer with a diverse portfolio that includes rock concerts, sports, fashion, beauty, street photography, portraits, and celebrities.

In each shot, he pays special attention to framing to evoke a unique emotion. His ability to understand others helps him build the trust needed between himself and his models. His work has been featured in various Swiss and international magazines and has won awards in multiple photography competitions.

He recently held several exhibitions in Geneva, and is now preparing a new exhibition with a painter who will paint on his photographic portraits.

Making a real connection with his portrait subjects, Paul Miller has a way with making people feel at ease and allowing their inner self to shine. Mixing that with a cinematic lighting style and superb coloring, the end results are always eye catching and draw the viewer into the image. Utilising elements and spaces personal to the subject, or creating custom sets in studio, the masterful use of the environments immerse the subject in storytelling for a portrait second to none.

Paul has had the pleasure of creating portraits and campaigns for clients such as AAA Insurance, Fruit of the Loom, Starbucks, Domino's, SLC Health, and Oikos. Each project unique and tailored to fit the specific storytelling of each assignment.

“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.” — Edward Steichen

Pavel Hejný is a celebrated advertising photographer and art director. His career in advertising has been marked by numerous prestigious awards, including six Cannes Lions, two Golden Drum Grand Prix awards, an Andy Award, a Clio Award, and the distinguished Lucie Award for Best Advertising Photographer of the Year. His remarkable work has been featured in Lürzer’s Archive: 200 Best Ad Photographers Worldwide many times.

With an extensive portfolio and strong collaborations with leading production houses, Pavel provides to his clients a comprehensive service, delivering photography of the highest quality.

While he calls Prague home, Pavel is frequently on the move, traveling worldwide to bring his creative vision to clients around the globe.

Peter Baiamonte wants each of his images to tell you a story—give you a glimpse of a place—reveal someone's personality, or take you into their world.

A native New Yorker, Peter Baiamonte has worked in the photo industry since the mid 90s, accumulating many years of crew work before moving into his own projects. He has recently begun to revisit the world of his beginnings with some work using film—exploring again the use of film cameras in his portraiture, and experimenting with multiple exposures on film.  He is also creating some new work using a vintage Widelux film camera.

Peter’s work covers many styles and disciplines—including portraiture, lifestyle, landscape, travel, and sports. He splits his time between New York City and the Massachusetts Berkshires, working regularly with clients in New York and Boston as well as the entirety of New England. He is available to travel worldwide.

The photos in this Spotlight include: behind-the-scenes work on a short film starring Jeff DeMunn; Karen Allen for the cover of Berkshire Magazine; students of University of the Pacific visiting New York City; Hamish Bowles in Venice; and some corporate clients.

Sacha Stejko, an acclaimed advertising photographer, masterfully crafts portraits that capture the intricate narratives of her subjects. Renowned for her stylistic versatility, Sacha’s commercial oeuvre oscillates between artful visual storytelling and dynamic, explosive action. This adaptability not only highlights her remarkable talent, but also underscores her ability to meet diverse client needs, making her a highly sought-after figure in the competitive realm of advertising photography.

With a growing portfolio that encompasses esteemed brands such as Powerade, Toyota, and Adidas, Sacha has established a significant presence both locally and internationally.

Recently, Sacha has collaborated with Powerade as both photographer and director, creating a series of short films featuring various athletes. These films emphasise the significance of mental pauses in training and competitive settings.

Stefan Gröpper has been a photographer for over 30 years, with an enduring passion for people, lifestyle and portrait photography, beauty and fashion, landscapes, and architecture, as well as campaigns for international brands.

Art and photography have been integral to his life since childhood. Formally trained as a photographer, since 1995 he has worked as a freelance photographer and designer. Stefan collaborates with both national and international clients as a creative director, storyteller, and branding and visual artist.

Featured in this Spotlight is a series of striking black-and-white portraits of indigenous people from around the world, alongside corporate portraits for which he is frequently in demand from his headquarters in Frankfurt.

He also runs the Sveta Art Gallery. For many years, Stefan has initiated his own art projects and exhibitions, showcasing both his work and that of other international artists.

Among his references are global and local companies and agencies such as Adecco, Aldi, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chevrolet, Continental, DB Schenker, Deutsche Bank, Diageo, General Motors, Pfizer, and Sapporo Japan.

See more of his recent work on his website, follow him on Instagram, or get in touch to discuss the details of your upcoming project.