DARREN KNIGHT GALLERY

We're always happy to receive Darren's call to capture the latest show. being one of the first people to see a new body of work is always a privilege

Brief: Capture an image that sparks interest in an artist's show-an image that excites them to engage with the work in person.

Telling the story: In the art world, photo documentation is an integral part of presenting an artists work in collaboration with their show. Our aim is to capture the true essence of the show,

giving the audience the experience of viewing the work.

Challenge: The most challenging and rewarding part of shooting artworks is capturing the textures, true colour and meaning of the artworks, weather it's multi-media, painting or sculpture.

Result: We take an empathetic approach to the works to ensure we shoot from the artist's eye.

Our patience and dedication in achieving this is why Darren has been a valued and regular client of fa tog'ra fi for over 12 years.

HILLROSS

When you here 'wealth managment and financial service provider' do you think of beautiful

black and white images encouraging you to tick off your bucket list? Probably not!

Brief: Take a visual approach to rebranding Hillross along the theme

'What's your idea of Financial Freedom?' Create a series of aspirational photographs across an array of luxury lifestyle scenarios that target existing and potential Hillross clients.

Telling the story: We hung out with some gorgeous cars, bikes and people living their ideal life, pretty inspiring stuff! The images we captured were applied across every aspect of the business; from company stationary to office fit outs. We travelled through vineyards, bush tracks and beaches for a few months to get the perfect shots.

Challenge: In an industry known for it's creativity, Hillross wanted to engage their audience through a brave, fresh and fun approach. We wanted to make sure their creative courage came to life.

Result: Each image evokes the feeling of empowerment in taking steps towards achieving one's life goals. The creative team behind the brief went on to win 'Best Innovation of the year' for their brand and concept store design at the Rainmaker Excellence Awards. By taking a visually engaging approach to rebranding, it changed the game for other businesses in the field. Mission accomplished.

BABESCRUB

Babescrub skincare and body is a cult, luxe, beauty brand, owned and manufactured in Australia, made using pure and natural ingredients with NO nasties-they are also freakin cool!

Brief: Create three 'How To Use' videos for a leading American retailer showcasing Babescrub’s awesome products, while keeping the brand identity alive and kicking.

Telling the story: We wanted to tell the story of how to use the products in a fun and engaging way, the last thing we and the team at Babescrub wanted was a boring to camera explanation or worse still, a video with infographics. So we threw out the rule book and created a short story of how buffing and polishing  is an integral part of a Babe's life and we had a bucket load of fun with it!

Challenge: Our biggest challenge was that we had the amazing talent and the Babescrub team for just one day, so timings had to be perfect, with a shit load of pre-production.

We got it done on time and on budget.

Result: A suite of videos that engage, excite and inform, all whilst keeping true to the brand!

MICHAEL REID GALLERY

Having worked with the gallery over some time documenting artworks and shows, we were  delighted when James asked us to create a suite of videos for the Art Signifikant members.

Brief: Tell the story of artist Robert Malherbe painting a portrait of James Dorahy, capturing the process and connection.

Telling the story: With this first story it was vital to capture everything intimately whilst not getting in the way of the process, we were essentially a fly on the wall. It was about keeping the human connection alive, capturing the brush strokes emotion and being completely in the moment.

Challenge: Robert is a very fast painter, which on one hand is thrilling to watch but on the other could be a challenge with filming all the essential elements.

Result: James, Robert and the Michael Reid team were thrilled with "The Portrait's progress".

We captured everything we set out to and a little bit of magic along the way. The story has gone on to be shared with a much wider audience. The feedback about the human connection,

the story telling and the end result has been overwhelming.

OUR WORK

PHOTOGRAPHY

CLIFFORD HOW

ARTHOUSE GALLERY

ZULAIKHA LAURENCE HOUSE WITH  ARCHITECT BRIAN ZULAIKHA

BRESIC WHITNEY

EVA NOLAN

OLSEN GALLERY

IN THE STUDIO

NOEL MCKENNA

TIED UP DOGS ROSE BAY

CERAMIC ARTIST

BABESCRUB

BEHIND THE BRAND

DELIVERING LOVE

SPRING TVC

SIMON

Born 1978 in Louth, England, Simon’s love affair with photography started at age four. While other kids were eating crayons, he was busy snapping everything from weeds to Wellingtons. The camera was broken but Simon didn’t mind - it was his and that’s all that mattered.

Simon finally scored a working camera at age 10. He tirelessly photographed his family dog (R.I.P. Copper) and dear old Nan as she slept. On his 14th birthday, Simon got his first SLR and promptly moved into his Dad’s abandoned darkroom. There he spent countless nights printing black and white photos using out-of-date paper and developer.

Like the rule of thirds, Simon’s career progressed in threes; three years studying photography at Boston college, three years completing a BA Hons Degree in Photography at Cheltenham and Gloucester Art College and three years working as an assistant photographer in London.

In 2002 Simon became the Studio Manager and In-House Photographer for a London advertising agency.

Three years on, having gained a wealth of experience, Simon left his role and pursued a series of personal projects that took him, and his future wife, around the world.

In 2005 Simon and Ilona moved to Australia to begin their life together. His career has since blossomed, establishing many creative, engaging and long-lasting relationships with a diverse array of clients. Simon’s passion persists: capturing and telling stories through still and moving images.

Awards

2010 Centre for Contemporary Photography, Kodak Salon,

Excellence In The Use Of Colour

2013 Centre for Contemporary Photography, Leica and Ilford Salon, Excellence in Photomedia Overall winner

Solo Exhibitions

2012 ‘Shadowed By A Roadside’, Gaffa gallery, Sydney

(accompanied by the book ‘Shadowed By A Roadside’)

2012 ‘Playground’, Gaffa gallery, Sydney

ILONA

Ilona’s early love of all things creative was well documented on her family’s Sanyo video camera. Dad Fabiszewski would film an endless barrage of dance concerts, plays and shows as lil’ Lones lit up Central Coast stages in flashy leotards and far too much blush.

After topping her year in photography at school, Ilona pursued three talents: photography, dancing and acting. She studied Art Photography for two years before getting a job as a photographic and studio assistant. Determined to broaden her horizons, she moved to London in 2003. It was there Ilona met Simon, worked as his Photographic Assistant and then lured him back to the land of sunshine and Speedos.

Ilona worked as a Studio Manager in a Sydney photographic studio for two years before pursuing dance full-time.  She went on to gain an extensive list of credits to her name as a dancer and choreographer. These include: Top 20 dancer for So You Think You Can Dance, TV show Dance Academy, TV appearances for Grammy winner Duffy and working with artists Vanilla Ice, Kylie Minogue, Jessica Mauboy and Guy Sebastian, to name a few.

Once firmly established as a hip-hop dancer and choreographer, Ilona honed her talent for acting through short courses at NIDA, Screenwise and Screen Practice in Sydney. She now draws on her extensive knowledge and experience both in front of and behind the camera to manage production, direct talent, edit videos and craft emotive, personal stories from Simon’s compelling footage.