Case study - Margot McKinney - World of wonder

Case Study: Margot McKinney — World of Wonder, Museum of Brisbane

This project involved photographing jewellery for World of Wonder, the retrospective exhibition of Margot McKinney’s work at the Museum of Brisbane. Alongside the exhibition, the imagery was also created for an accompanying publication, requiring the photographs to function across both spatial and printed formats.

Margot McKinney is a long-standing client, and this body of work reflects a shared understanding of quality, process, and precision. The pieces—opals, pearls, and exceptionally rare gemstones—represent the highest level of contemporary jewellery craftsmanship.

The Creative Approach

The approach was guided by respect for both the jewellery and its context. These were not simply objects to be documented, but works with scale, presence, and narrative weight. The images needed to honour the individuality of each piece while remaining cohesive within a retrospective exhibition.

Particular care was taken with colour and surface detail. Opals demanded sensitivity to light to preserve their natural play of colour, while pearls and rare gems required refined contrast to convey depth and lustre without exaggeration.

The Shoot

The jewellery was photographed with exhibition and publication in mind. Lighting was shaped to reveal form and material honestly, ensuring clarity at close range while maintaining elegance when viewed within the broader exhibition space.

Each piece was handled as a singular work, yet considered as part of a larger visual story. Consistency across the series was essential, allowing the images to sit seamlessly within the Museum of Brisbane exhibition and the accompanying book.

The Outcome

The final images were used throughout World of Wonder, supporting both the physical exhibition and the printed publication. Together, they formed a visual record of Margot McKinney’s practice—one that reflects the rarity, craftsmanship, and enduring quality of the work.

This project stands as a continuation of a long creative partnership, built on trust, precision, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Services

Based in Brisbane, I work with jewellery designers, museums, and cultural institutions to create exhibition-ready and publication-quality imagery for high-value works.

Case study - Fondation Cartier - Sally Gabori

Case Study: Cartier Fine Art Foundation - Sally Gabori in Brisbane

I was commissioned by Cartier’s Fine Art Foundation to photograph a selection of works by renowned Australian artist Sally Gabori. The images were created for a publication accompanying the Foundation’s exhibition of her work, which was presented in Paris.

The brief required absolute precision. Cartier entrusted me to deliver imagery that was both technically exact and visually considered—work that respected the integrity of the paintings while meeting the highest international publishing standards.

The Creative Approach

Colour accuracy was paramount. Sally Gabori’s work is defined by its bold, expressive palette, and any deviation in tone or saturation would compromise the artwork itself. The challenge was to produce faithful reproductions while shooting in situ around Brisbane, rather than within a controlled studio environment. This led to a number of huge technical challanged such as light being positioned outside of rooms as the artworks were at times so large. When the owner of one piece told me that they had knocked a wall down to fit her work in, I figured their inconvenience in presenting Sally’s magnificent works was greater than mine!

The approach was intentionally quiet. Lighting was kept even and neutral, free from stylisation, allowing texture, brushwork, and colour relationships to remain untouched but visible. The goal was not interpretation, but translation, images that honoured the original works without intrusion.

The Shoot

Each artwork was photographed on location, with careful attention given to environmental control, reflections, and consistency across the series. Precision in exposure and colour management was maintained throughout, ensuring continuity between works destined for print.

Every decision was made with the final publication in mind, from framing to file preparation. The images needed to stand up to close scrutiny- both on the page and within the context of an international exhibition.

The Outcome

The final photographs were selected for inclusion in the publication produced to accompany the Paris exhibition. The work formed part of a broader effort to present Sally Gabori’s paintings to an international audience, maintaining their vibrancy and presence beyond the gallery walls.

This project reflects a core part of my practice: delivering high-standard, colour-accurate art and cultural photography in Brisbane for institutions, foundations, and publishers operating at a global level.

Services

Based in Brisbane, I work with galleries, foundations, and cultural institutions to produce publication-ready imagery that prioritises accuracy, care, and visual integrity.

Case study - Hardy Brothers - Vogue shoots

Case Study: Hardy Brothers — Vogue Advertising Campaign Photography in Brisbane

This project involved photographing a series of double-page Vogue advertisements for Hardy Brothers Jewellers, one of Australia’s most established luxury jewellery houses. The brief was to create imagery for their highest tier Vault pieces, jewellery defined by rarity, heritage, and craftsmanship.

The campaign was conceived as a six-image series, designed to run as multiple double-page spreads within Vogue. While only two of the final advertisements are included here, the complete visual set informed the campaign’s tone and direction. For this case study, I’ve included some of the published ads alongside the imagery supplied to the magazine.

The Creative Approach

The concept centred on restraint and legacy. Rather than relying on overt luxury cues, the decision was made to photograph the Vault pieces against a written letter, an intimate, tactile background that subtly referenced history, provenance, and time.

The letter introduced softness and narrative into the frame, contrasting with the precision and permanence of the jewellery itself. Its texture created depth without distraction, allowing the diamonds and gemstones to remain the focal point while suggesting a sense of personal inheritance rather than display.

The Shoot

Lighting was handled with a high level of control, shaped to honour the cut, scale, and weight of each piece. Shadows were kept refined and intentional, ensuring the jewellery read clearly at double-page scale while retaining detail when viewed up close.

Every image was composed with the magazine format in mind. Negative space, balance, and typography placement were all considered to ensure the final ads felt at home within Vogue’s editorial environment—luxurious, calm, and confident.

The Outcome

Two of the six advertisements were selected and published as double-page spreads. While the full series was not printed, the campaign imagery successfully communicated the Vault collection’s exclusivity and depth.

Including both the published ads and the supplied images in this case study offers a broader view of the creative intent behind the campaign and the level of consideration given to producing luxury advertising photography for print.

Services

I work with high-end jewellery brands and heritage houses to create refined advertising imagery for print and digital campaigns. Based in Brisbane, I specialise in luxury jewellery photography that balances technical precision with editorial storytelling.

Case study - Claude & Me-Icy Light Jewellery

Case Study: Icy Light — High-End Diamond Jewellery Photography in Brisbane

The brief was clear and refined: explore hard shadows, reflected light, and a subtle icy blue tone to evoke a sense of cold, clarity, and precision. The reference imagery pointed toward a cool-toned, minimal background where light itself becomes a design element—creating a soft, ice-like atmosphere without overpowering the jewellery.

This project focused on photographing high-end diamond jewellery in Brisbane, with an emphasis on restraint. The diamonds needed to remain the hero, supported by light and texture rather than surrounded by excess styling.

The Creative Approach

To achieve the desired “icy” effect, I worked with controlled, directional lighting through prisms to create sharp shards of light and layered reflections across the diamonds. Hard shadows were used deliberately, allowing contrast to enhance the stone’s cut and clarity while still maintaining a clean, luxury aesthetic.

A subtle baby-blue, almost glacial tone was introduced through light rather than heavy colour grading. This ensured the images felt cool and modern, while remaining true to the natural brilliance of the diamonds. The result was a visual language that suggested ice and snow—quietly and elegantly.

The Shoot

Six final images were produced, each exploring light in a slightly different way. Reflections were shaped to mimic fractured ice, catching on the facets of the diamonds and creating a sense of depth and movement within a minimalist frame.

The white background acted as a canvas, allowing the interplay between light, shadow, and reflection to do the heavy lifting. Every decision was made to enhance the perceived quality of the jewellery—precision, sharpness, and refinement.

The Outcome

The final images were very well received, resonating strongly with the brand’s desire for a high-end, contemporary look. The series successfully balanced technical lighting with emotional tone, delivering visuals that feel crisp, luxurious, and considered.

This project is a strong example of my approach to luxury jewellery photography in Brisbane: thoughtful lighting, subtle styling, and an understanding that sometimes the most powerful images are built from restraint.

Services

If you’re a jewellery brand, designer, or retailer looking for premium diamond jewellery photography in Brisbane, I create imagery that elevates your product while staying true to your brand identity.

Creation

There is something truly captivating about watching a piece of jewellery come to life. As a commercial photographer, I r had the opportunity to step inside a jeweller’s workshop and document the intricate process of craftsmanship from start to finish.

From the very first sketch to the final polish, each stage told a story. The jeweller’s hands worked with precision, carefully shaping metal, setting stones, and refining every delicate detail. Through my lens, I was able to capture not only the beauty of the finished jewellery but also the artistry and patience behind its creation.

This pictorial series highlights the textures, tools, and techniques that are often unseen by customers who only experience the final sparkle in a display case. Close-up shots revealed the shimmer of raw gemstones, the glint of polished silver, and the soft glow of gold under workshop lights. Wide frames told a broader story – a workspace filled with history, creativity, and dedication.

As a photographer, my goal is to create images that don’t just document but also connect emotionally with an audience. For jewellers, these photographs provide a powerful marketing tool, showcasing authenticity, craftsmanship, and brand identity. Customers increasingly want to know the story behind what they wear, and visual storytelling is one of the most effective ways to share that journey.

Whether you are a jewellery designer, artisan, or creative business, professional photography can elevate your brand and bring your process to life. This shoot was a reminder that every handcrafted piece carries a narrative – one that deserves to be told beautifully.

If you’d like to discuss how commercial photography can highlight your own brand’s story, feel free to get in touch.