jonathanmayphotography.com

NEW BLOG

2011-07-14T03:09:00.000-07:00

HI THERE, THANKS FOR LOOKING BUT I HAVE NOW UPDATED MY BLOG TO ANOTHER SITE.

TO FOLLOW MY WORK PLEASE CHECK OUT

http://jonathanmay.tumblr.com/

Alexey & Bono

2011-05-11T02:44:00.000-07:00

I met Alex Roth on the set of the MTV job, and knew straight away that I wanted to work with him again.

The idea was inspired by the Didymus character from the cult movie "The Labyrinth". Through the help of the stylist Cherith Crozier, we spent weeks revising the direction and wardrobe until finally we settled and had some custom made clothes designed and sent from the UK.

Cherith Crozier

Art Director & Stylist

0449554360

cherithcrozier.com

The great Dane was called Bono and was a true professional on set, thanks to Julie from Stordansk Danes

http://www.stordansk.com/

Also a big thank you to Michelle Dube for helping with hair and make-up

http://www.michelledubemakeupartist.com.au/

And finally a huge thank you for the amazing post and grade put on this image which really brought it to life. If you ever need any retouching, please get in touch with a new and exciting group in Sydney called Limehouse Creative

http://www.limehousecreative.com/

Commonwealth Bank

2011-05-11T02:37:00.000-07:00

In a giant collaboration that took us to 5 states of Australia, the creative team gurus from Goodby Silverstein, the Commonwealth Bank Agribusiness team, and our production department visited some of the most incredible rural properties imaginable. We were able to have the rare opportunity to intimately experience and capture the families in their lives on their remote properties. It was 2 weeks of sharing tall stories, mustering, small pubs, giant steaks, 4.30am mornings, 4 wheel driving, riding atop enormous machines, shearing, driving, families and farmhands, and fields the size of Tasmania! Thousands of images later - these are the final results for the campaign that perfectly captures Agribusiness and the people that are the business.

Head Hunters Hair Design

2011-04-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

I recently got briefed to photograph 3 unwanted animals for a campaign for the Sydney Dog and Cats Home, and the images will be seen soon. The location I discovered to photograph the animals at was Head Hunter's Hair Design. Robbie and Elizabeth have created their own amazing inner city oasis. Having already used their location for the campaign, I had to find another one that suited them for their own portrait.

Head Hunters Hair Design

Leading technical directors and specialist designers in imagemaking design, cutting, perming, colouring, hair extensions, weaves, braids, toys and wigs human and synthetic hairpieces, european, afro, asian and ethnic styling and curl care products, technical classes and consultations available.

We also offer amazing Healing by Robbie King!

83 Bronte Road Bondi Junction,
New South Wales 2022
Australia

PH: 9387 5535

Email: elizabeth.king@headhuntershairdesigns.com

Blue Bird Cafe

2011-03-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

Blue Bird Cafe in Lockardt, NSW.

Barry Kimberly

2011-01-31T15:48:00.002-08:00

While on a recent location scout in North Queensland I stumbled across Barry Kimberly.

Barry is known to be one of the most skilled knife and bow and arrow makers in the country. When he first told me that he hunts wild boars with just a bow and arrow I found it hard to believe, but he quickly pulled out countless magazines where he was frequently featured standing proudly over his dead boars deep in the bush. Some of the photos were from night hunts, and I thought to myself it would be hard enough hitting a running boar with an arrow in the middle of the day, let alone in the dark.

If you ever see Barry be sure to stay away from his white dog "T-Bone". It's not friendly towards people from south of the boarder.

International Aperture Awards

2011-01-02T18:28:00.000-08:00

My image of the mud lakes in Ukraine received a bronze in the international aperture awards.

Lama

2010-10-31T18:48:00.000-07:00

Last week I shot some stills for MTV. When the brief came in I couldn't wipe the smile from my face because it included a yettie, a midget, twins, an alien, Evil Kenevil and a lama. All in one day.....perfect.

The shoot day itself was hilarious, everywhere I looked I could see something amusing.

I will post the shots once they are finished, but here is a shot of Ted with his nervous Lama about to go on set.

Eastern Bloc

2010-09-27T02:03:00.003-07:00

Eastern Bloc

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Eastern Bloc

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eastern Bloc

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eastern Bloc

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Eastern Bloc

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Eastern Bloc

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Eastern Bloc

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Eastern Bloc

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Eastern Bloc

2010-09-25T21:26:00.001-07:00

Summer in Berdyansk

2010-08-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

To most Australian residents Berdyansk is just a foreign word, but for me it is a special place - it is my wife’s birthplace.

Berdyansk is a small town located on the northern coast of the Sea of Azov in Ukraine. It is known due to its sea port and industries. It is also home to a health resorts with mud baths and climatic treatments.

I was fortunate enough to travel to Berdyansk to visit what has securely become one of Ukraine’s best summer destinations and meet my new babushka (grandma) for the first time.

At first sight the town of Berdyansk isn’t much to be desired. All of the apartment blocks were built in the 1950’s Soviet Union time and were given to people for free. After the collapse of the U.S.S.R nothing has been touched. What the place lacks in architectural advancements it makes up for in charm and character of the people of Berdyansk. And it was the people of Berdyansk that I fell in love with. They might not have much, but they enjoy life and are happy and are so welcoming and proud of their town.

Summer days are spent in Berdyansk going to the beach, eating dried fish, drinking beer and playing cards. It’s a simple life and pretty easy to get used to by forgetting to turn on my mobile phone, check emails or correspond with the outside world and get lost in a timeless place of the true Ukraine.

summer in Berdyansk

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Summer in Berdyansk

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Summer in Berdyansk

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Summer in Berdyansk

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Summer in Berdyansk

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Berdyansk Mud Baths

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Berdyansk Mud Baths

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Berdyansk Mud Baths

2010-07-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

In Russia with Love

2010-07-07T02:50:00.001-07:00

Russian Weddings, for me are a curious and exciting concoction of traditions and customs.

There are many examples, one of which is the letting go of two doves. One represents a boy and the other a girl, whichever dove flies the highest will display the sex of the couples first child. Another tradition in Moscow is that after getting married by a civil celebrant, all the couples invariably go to the same 3 - 4 spots in the city where they take photos and drink to their marriage with their weddings party before finally arriving to the reception. I spent half a day travelling to some of these spots to capture these celebrations, and found myself in a sea of bridal parties......everywhere I looked in all directions, joy and happiness.

In Russia with Love

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In Russia with Love

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In Russia with Love

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In Russia with Love

2010-07-07T02:22:00.000-07:00

Rustic Caravan Park

2010-06-14T04:04:00.000-07:00

Rustic Caravan Park.

What better place to finish my series on Caravan parks......the place that inspired me in the beginning, Rustic Caravan park at Bennalong NSW, Australia.

Johanna and Willi Zunter were from Vienna, and were the first permanent residents at the Manyana Beach estate. The Park is a family run business and has been running since 1980..........30 years on the park is now run by Johanna's son John who is also a chess master. The park retains it originality and it is the only place I have visited that hasn't sold out by over populating the space with too many vans. The park has been created and carved from the bush and provides enjoyment to everybody seeking something alternate and the slower paced lifestyle of being at one with nature.

Famous people that have visited Rustic are Victor Chang, Tom Roberts, Pro Hart, and Aurthor Boyd. Rustic has also been featured in a high end fashion Gucci photo-shoot that graced magazines pages all around Australia. Although this wouldn't phase the Zunter's in the slightest, as long as they earn an honest living and pass the legacy from generation to generation they will remain content.

There are no big signs up to promote the park, but word of this gem travels quicker than any advertising money could buy.

Rustic

990 Bendalong Road
Bendalong NSW 2539
Australia

+61 (0)2 4456-1116

Rustic

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Rustic

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Rustic

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Recent Portraits

2010-06-11T01:06:00.000-07:00

A portrait titled "Modern Day Ned Kelly".......which features Miles Merill and family.

At first glance this shot looks like just another weird and wacky over stylised image. There was no styling or stylist involved, every object in this photo was hanging up on Mr Merill's balcony. The only thing I added was the shopping bag to give it a domestic edge :)

A light painting portrait of Vladimir Cheroff for Australian Creative Magazine

More images from Victoria

2010-05-13T18:29:00.001-07:00

Enchanted Forest

at the old Sawmill

Church Hall

Creswick Bowling club

Town View

2010-05-13T15:26:00.001-07:00

As soon as I left Town View and was driving to the airport all I could think about was the shot of the little girl (Shaylah) on the bed and how I could have made the result better. I wanted to re-shoot her on the bed with all her dolls so it could be linked to all the images of the dolls through the the rest of house. It grated on my nerves so much that I bought tickets and flew back down to Melbourne to re-shoot it.

Final shots below, much happier with the result and can now stop thinking about it :)

Bowling Clubs

2010-05-11T03:10:00.000-07:00

Growing up we had a bowling green out the back of our house in Epping and I have fond memories of it. I also remember when my sister Caroline had her 16th birthday party a bunch of her drunk mates road their push bikes all over the beloved green and hacked it up with a combination of wheelies and skid marks.

I started this series on "bowling clubs" when I was on a recent road trip around Victoria and then found out my grandpa actually started the South Oakleigh Club in Melbourne. After church every Sunday Jack and a few of his mates would get together in a shed and drink beer and one of them had a brainwave of starting their own bowling club. They all chipped in some money and bought some land and had it cleared and built one. There is still a room at the South Oakley club that is named after my grandpa "Jack May"

The saddest thing about these clubs is that they are a dying breed. Unfortunately the popularity of lawn bowls is down, due to an aging population and combined with the increased land value in Sydney the clubs are being sold off one by one. My plan is to try and capture as many of these as I can before they are extinct.

Bowling Clubs

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Bowling Clubs

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Bowling Clubs

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Bowling Clubs

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Bowling Clubs

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Bowling Clubs

2010-05-11T02:38:00.001-07:00

Bowling Clubs

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Recent Portraits

2010-05-11T02:29:00.001-07:00

Recent Portraits

2010-05-11T02:28:00.001-07:00

Mo Li reporting live.....10 News

2010-05-05T01:45:00.000-07:00

Townview Hotel

2010-04-20T02:58:00.000-07:00

From the minute you walk into Townview Hotel, in Daylesford Victoria you can feel the rich history of the house. Sue and Daffey have put their life into the four walls of this establishment and the attention to detail is spectacular.

It's stylists dream, and Sue has been decorating each room in true Victorian fashion and created her own masterpiece.

Townview Hotel

20 Howe St

Daylesford

03 53 482 095

townview@netconnect.com.au

Townview Hotel

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Townview Hotel

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Townview Hotel

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Victorian Road trip

2010-04-14T01:57:00.001-07:00

Victorian Road trip

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Victorian Road trip

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Victorian Road trip

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Victorian Road trip

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Guinness Book of Records

2010-04-09T03:08:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would be part of a Guinness Book of record attempt, but last week found myself in Daylesford, country Vic up 25 metres in the sky taking a photo of over 526 people attempting to break the world record for the number of massages together. The event was called "Massage en Mass" and was the brain child of Andrea Nixon (Play Communications) and it was perfectly produced by Kristy Austin.

The event attracted a huge profile and Steve Jacobs (the today show) were doing live weather crosses as we set up the mats, along with a few celebrities like Sophie Faulkner, Grant Hackett and Liliya May (who is huge in Daylesford)

Here is the final shot that shows you we smashed America's previous record of 320

Hot Ink

2010-03-14T16:02:00.001-07:00

I soon learnt that covering the Mardi Gras this year wasn't just the parade. Over a 3 week period there is a stack of different events catering to all the different sub cultures within the gay community. When I heard about Geoff Ostling and how he plans to donate his ink covered skin to a museum I knew that his event "Hot Ink" was not to be missed.

Prizes were awarded for the most erotic tattoo, the rudest tattoo, the tattoo you wish you never got etc etc

The following are some of the contestants portraits

Geoff Ostling

Hot Ink

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Hot Ink

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Hot Ink

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Hot Ink

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Hot Ink

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Hot Ink

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Mardi Gras Parade

2010-02-28T03:24:00.000-08:00

This time of year comes alive with the vibrant celebration of the gay culture in Sydney.

I have been to Carnival in Brazil twice, but never watched the full parade in my own town, bad I admit.

It has to do with having to line up on the street all afternoon to get a good vantage point, but last night I was lucky enough to have an unrestricted pass that allowed me to get up close and personal with everyone.

Warning if you are offended by budgie smugglers, boobs and crotchless underwear or you're a narrow minded individual then you might not want to scroll down. For everyone else....enjoy :)

MG

2010-02-28T03:22:00.001-08:00

MG

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MG

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MG

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MG

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MG

2010-02-28T03:11:00.001-08:00

Mardi Gras - Fair Day

2010-02-23T01:03:00.001-08:00

5 Photographers were selected to cover the Mardi Gras events for Lonely Planet, Moth Studios and The Moran Foundation. Sunday it kicked off with the fair day, and I arrived very late in the day but managed to capture the fun and excitement of the day.

have a feeling the next couple of weeks are going to be busy...lots to cover.

Mardi Gras - Fair Day

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Mardi Gras - Fair Day

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Mardi Gras - Fair Day

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Mardi Gras - Fair Day

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Mardi Gras - Fair Day

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"burger"

2010-02-18T03:54:00.001-08:00

Peter and Jenny Gregory live on a cattle farm about twenty minutes from Berry. I actually met them having dinner in the Berry pub about a year ago.

Their bull "Burger" recently took out 1st prize at the annual Berry Livestock show. No suprises really, this animal has such a dominating presence even without his horns. I was told he was very friendly, and was trying to look comfortable but I don't think Burger was too convinced.

1100kg of "Burger" and 83kg me

Peter Gregory

"burger"

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"Burger"

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Change Conditions Ahead

2010-02-01T12:43:00.001-08:00

The art director on this job was again Jono Palasty, and the brief was to show how an inner city car can drive on rails around town, but can also "change conditions ahead" by creating the open road feeling.

Concept: Shoot and build an optical illusion, so at first you can see an inner city brick wall and airport containers....and then they turn into an open field and mountains.

Great idea.....you really need to see the high res image to do it justice but here is a sneak peek.

- Double click on the image to view larger size

Wandandian Wreckers

2010-01-11T15:46:00.000-08:00

John and Jodie Whipp's common interest is clearly visible......their love of cars. They own Wandandian Wreckers on the south coast of NSW, and have acquired a few classic cars and caravans in the process too.

I met them when I was searching for caravans to photograph and also discovered John's fantastic games room/bar that he had built for his 40th birthday and I think that every man wishes he had one of these in their backyards.

If you need a car/van or spare parts and down that way make sure you get in touch with them.

Wandandian Auto Dismantlers

Address: Princes Hwy, Wandandian, NSW, 2540

Phone number: (02) 44434268

Wandandian Wreckers

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Wandandian Wreckers

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Wandandian Wreckers

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Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year

2009-12-29T15:45:00.000-08:00

As the end of 2009 draws near let's hope that it is spent with your loved ones. I am really looking forward to 2010 :)

People come from all over the suburbs to see house Xmas lights; these people do a fabulous job of entertaining their families and neighbours every year.

In Australia we dont seem to celebrate the festive season as much....... maybe because of the warm weather and lack of snow. So when I see people embracing the season it is very endearing.

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year everyone!!!

2 x Silver awards at the International Aperture award comp

2009-12-16T15:51:00.001-08:00

Well I woke up this morning with some fantastic news, I won two Silver awards at the 2009 International Aperture Award Competition.

While a first prize result would have got me some huge Xmas spending money, I have to be happy with two silvers considering it is a worldwide competition offering $88,000 in prize money and drawing over 10,000 entries from around the globe.

Ralph "Skippy the painter" Gilbert

2009-12-15T16:33:00.000-08:00

I dropped in to catch up with Ralph "Skippy the painter" and show him the photos I took of him the first time we met. I had my camera with me and ended up getting much better photos of him the second time around. I feel these images capture his personality, his passion for life and his love for this country.

Ralph, an ex Spanish Foreign Legion veteran is the now the

most patriotic Australian I know. Make sure you check out the video too.

Cherries?

2009-11-29T15:21:00.001-08:00

Roadside Van

2009-11-22T20:31:00.001-08:00

Forgotten roadside van

"There's more to living than being ALIVE" - Shale

2009-11-17T13:56:00.001-08:00

Shale, 17 lives in a caravan on her parents property on the South Coast of NSW. Click on the video to hear why...

More from Rustic Caravan Park

2009-11-16T22:42:00.000-08:00

Sea Life on Paradise Row

2009-11-09T17:35:00.000-08:00

Thirty years ago Margaret created her first theatrical garden "Wonder Woman". Over the year she has been entertaining the locals by expressing her creativity through her gardens.

Margaret sets her theme and then starts collecting items, with the help of some locals to create her masterpieces. Her last and final effort "Sea Life on Paradise Row" was a smorgasbord of underwater visual delights and I was glad I was there to capture the scene.

Margaret "Rick Stein" the Lobster after proudly escaping from the lobster trap

Margaret relaxing with some underwater friends.

Hawaii

2009-11-01T22:53:00.001-08:00

I told my wife Liliya that on our honeymoon in Hawaii I wouldn't be thinking about photography or work. The first week was fine, sitting by the pool in Maui drinking countless Chi-Chi's and listening to 200kg men play the ukulele while singing "somewhere over the rainbow".

The 2nd week we arrived in Oahu, and I noticed how many people were taking photos. It was incredible, everywhere I looked people had their cameras out and it wasn't long before I gave in to the temptation and started a little series on "people taking photos". I got a few strange looks in the process too :)

Hawaii

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Hawaii

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Hoyts

2009-10-06T22:19:00.001-07:00

I recently shot the "Hoyts 100 years" campaign through an agency in Melbourne called Paper Stone Scissors. The idea behind the campaign was for Hoyts to give away free tickets on your birthday and we needed to find people who shared a resemblance to famous stars.

The art director, Jake Smallman had several ideas and the client was to sign off on four final images. My favourite concept was the Robert Deniro "Taxi driver" theme, but unfortunately the client didn't approve it.

Traveling home on the bus one night I looked up from my book into a cafe in Bondi and noticed someone looking extremely close to Robert Deniro in that movie, so I took it as a sign that I should shoot the "Taxi Driver" concept anyway. 2 weeks later I was on location of the Beatdisc photoshoot, and in one of the 19 abandoned rooms was an actual taxi sign that sits on the roof of a car......another sign that the shoot needed to happen :)