Friday, January 16, 2015

Noel Hillis - Commercial Photography - a year end review!

Every January, I aim to review the work that I have produced over the past year and show some images that I didn’t get around to posting on the blog.
This reflective portrait of Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, was photographed earlier in the year, just before he spoke at the Transport Ireland Conference and is my favourite political portrait of the last 12 months.
My gratitude is due to the editors who commissioned me to photograph cover shots for their magazines. Here is a selection of corporate portraits which appeared as covers over the past year. Dave Kirwan, CEO of Bord Gais Energy was photographed for Energy Ireland’s Oil & Gas magazine, Cathriona Hallahan, CEO of Microsoft (Ireland) was photographed for AgendaNI and David Franks, CEO of Irish Rail was photographed for Eolas Magazine.
I was commissioned to produce commercial portraits for a number of annual reports that have been published over the past 12 months, for organisations as diverse as LauraLynn Children’s Hospice and Greencore. I particularly liked the way that Down Syndrome Ireland used my images in their most recent review which was published during the year.
It was another busy year for conference and event photography and I particularly liked this available light portrait photographed at the Botanica Conference in TCD, in September.
Of course as a commercial photographer, I don’t just photograph people. Often I am asked to produce product shots for editorial and publicity purposes. Brochure images like these, required my skills at both food photography and macro imaging. (Chicken and chips, anyone?)
Sometimes I am lucky enough to be asked to produce editorial images of spectacular interiors, such as the beautiful Dining Hall in Trinity College Dublin, photographed for Advantage PCO and the reception area at the Iarnrod Eireann head office in Dublin, for Eolas magazine.
To produce urban landscape photographs, I sometimes get to photograph familiar views from unusual vantage points, such as this birds eye view of Dublin produced in September.
PR photography usually has to be produced when time is very short. I photographed this group of ladies who participated in the Dublin Women’s Mini Marathon on behalf of LauraLynn just before the start. 
This year I decided to create a “secret” Instagram account for my personal photography - as a visual notebook to challenge my creativity. Should you wish to follow my visual ramblings, you can do so here.
At the end of an enjoyable and varied year, it was nice to produce this Christmas portrait of Dublin based alternative folk band, The Young Folk and this editorial portrait of Welsh harpist Eleri Lloyd.
As always, I’m finishing with my favourite image of the year, which was photographed in Vence, in southern France. I really like the mood and texture that the early morning light creates.

My thanks to all my clients and friends. Have a great 2015!


Friday, December 19, 2014

Christmas at LauraLynn House

Santa was in residence in his igloo at LauraLynn House, Ireland’s Childrens Hospice last weekend for the annual Christmas party at this special venue.
More than fifty families who have been assisted by the services provided by the staff at LauraLynn were able to visit Santa.
They were also entertained by a range of craft makers, candy floss stands, photo booths, bands and carol singers including “Chorus” and “The Young Folk”.
Once again the amazing staff at LauraLynn created a memorable event for the children and parents alike.

The operational cost of running LauraLynn House is more than €2.1m per year and it continues to operate without any state funding. To find out more please click here. 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Corporate Portraits in Dublin and Limerick

Harmonics are business coaching and career development specialists, based in Limerick and Dublin, with associates nationwide. I was commissioned to produce a series of business portraits for their corporate communications and website. Working with art director John O’Brien from Design ID, we were able to create images which convey the ethos behind the Harmonics approach to business. Photographed in a variety of locations between Dublin and Limerick, the images are contemporary yet timeless and always I hope, engaging. This is a small selection from the project.





Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Commercial Portrait Photography in Ireland

Working to a tight brief, I was commissioned to produce a series of commercial portraits for a new Antalis brochure. I was also asked to provide additional collateral photography, including product shots, industrial landscapes and candid portraits of their Irish operations. This is just a small selection of what we produced.





Thursday, October 2, 2014

Conference and convention photographer in Ireland

Producing effective conference photography takes a certain understanding of client requirements. 

When a conference or event manager puts so much effort into preparing amazing events, it is important that the event is documented in a way that appeals to the marketing, customer relations and publicity departments for both the organisers and their clients. 

Here are some examples of the range of images that I aim to give my conference and corporate clients.
Obviously there are strong images of outstanding Keynote Speakers
and positive audience reaction.
There are lively panel discussions
and searching questions.
Opportunities for spontaneous meetings
and to network.
Quiet moments for delegates to work when they need it
and time to relax and enjoy themselves at the end of the day.
There are engaging exhibitions
 and exhibitors demonstrating their products,
making sales
and all importantly - sealing the deal!
 Organisational support is key, with ever helpful registration staff assisting delegates,
 who meet in superbly branded registration areas,
before getting together for formal dinners,
or themed evenings,
in amazing locations, with wonderful food!
Early in the morning, the sun rises at the convention centre
and delegates start to plan their activities,  
before taking their place in spectacular auditoriums and meeting rooms.