Superyacht photographers

The Mark Oconnell photos look really nice, good to see "Nirvana's" tenders again.

The photo says cleaning off the dirt during an Atlantic crossing...not painting it grey. That's the soot from the exhaust uptakes.

Franco Pace

http://www.francopace.it/index.php?home-it

Michael Denker

Michael Denker » Have Camera, Will Travel...

David J. Shuler

Marine Photography By David J. Shuler

Beken of Cowes (Yacht Photographers since 1888)

Beken of Cowes, Marine Photography, Cowes, Isle of Wight

We've got a Daniel.

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/boat-shows-yacht-watching/3199-yachts-gibraltar.html

Daniel and his father do some great shots for YF and I would like to thank them both for their work.

Klaus Jordan's photography is excellent, but it's not just because he takes good pictures... he takes ALL the pictures. Whenever I get an image suite from Lurssen, I know it will be complete, giving me all the shots I need to publish a review worthy of their yachts. Photography alone isn't enough anymore. It's important that a photographer has a good eye, catching details that are often overlooked. It's also about providing diverse viewing angles that bring about perspective.

Here's something you guys don't know... on most reviews, I spend a few hours preparing images. In extreme cases, I'll spend all day selecting, formatting, color correcting, sharpening and reducing images to be acceptable enough to grace our pages. If the images looks bad, so does the review!

There have been instances where I've declined doing a review because the images were unacceptable. I'll never forget Delta's 'Katya', a yacht I flew all the way to Washington state to go aboard, then Delta's marketing director supplied me with pics taken by her 'friend'. In every instance, the pics were taken with a 36" tripod, so as readers, we saw the boat from a child's perspective. Even the exterior shots were taken from a dinghy. I asked for professional photography, only to found out her friend WAS a professional photographer. Not in my book! And not on YF! Anyhow, she got so pissed off about it, we never worked with Delta again.

There are some great photographers in our business. And a few who have no business in our industry. There are some that are demanding to work with. No matter how good they are, I go out of my way to suggest or hire someone else when they are difficult. There are some relatively unknown names, such as YF's Tom Serio, who have a good eye, a good attitude and a good work ethic. He doesn't charge exorbitant fees either. I hope in the near future, more yards will give him an opportunity.

I've gone to war with some marketing directors who have a favorite photographer that repeatedly produces lackluster results, but they continue to hire him because they've partied together after a photo-shoot at some exotic location. In cases like this, they are not serving their employers, but serving themselves.

Yacht photography

On the subject of yacht photography one must not forget Tony Morgan who was based in Cannes in the 50's and 60's. Does anyone know who might have his extensive collection of photos ?

Maybe this site would be of some interest to someone.Have a look at:
YACHTS IN FOCUS - Yacht photos gallery

Neil Rabinowitz

I hope it is safe to mention this person but I have seen and enjoyed this photographer's work for many years. He does other types of photography but does a load of yachting work....I cannot say what type of person he is, but I do enjoy his work..

Neil Rabinowitz Photography: Yacht, Boat, Lifestyle & Adventure Photographer

Cheers,

Here are two more yacht photographers I remember seeing in magazines...as with my first listing, I have no idea as to what type of people they are or how easy or difficult it is to work with them nor their fees...still, some overall nice work......

Shaw McCutcheon
Shaw McCutcheon

Jim Raycroft
jim raycroft

Cheers,

Billy Black is my personal favorite photographer as he combines great talent with a good sense of humor and a strong work ethic. Not only does he take great exterior shots, but his easy going manner makes one forget he is photographing, and he gets great people shots as well.
Allison Langley has also taken some wonderful shots of boats I have owned,and is very easy to work with.
Best,
Maldwin

Mark,

Ironically, a couple of the names you noted in this thread are the reason I posted. Neil is a GREAT photographer, probably the best, but he can be difficult to work with. Shaw is also a great photographer and he's a pleasure to work with. Jim shot two boats we've reviewed. In both cases, I've requested the boats to re-shot by another photographer.

Seconded? For these reasons he has done most of my photography for many years.
http://www.billyblack.com

This is a great thread and highlights some of the all-time great marine photographers. As well as many of the names listed here, I have always admired the work of Forest Johnson (Forest Johnson Photography), especially his aerial images.

Carl, I appreciate the recognition. As many YF'ers have witnessed, I live with the camera in my hand, notably at the boat shows and on our YF excursions. As a relative "newbie" compared to the older shutterbugs previously mentioned (that's a term of endearment fellas), I continue to learn from them while I hone the craft. Support from YF members has been great and I'm pleased that my images are appreciated.
Of course, I need to throw one more at you. Here's the Westport M/Y Mustang Sally nestled to the dock for the evening.
Oh yeah, if it's not against the rules, see more of my work at my site.

Well mein freund, you certainly know these folks better than most of us will ever know....as I have never been to one of the major shows nor even the Fort Lauderdale area (well, at 50, going there to see my grandfather when I was 5 does not count) I just have to admire (at a distance and vicariously) all of these folks work....and for better or worse, Neil is perhaps the one photographer I am the most familiar with over many years of reading magazines, looking at websites, etc...it is, however, VERY beneficial for me to to learn who is and who is NOT easy/pleasant to work with and this valuable information will be securely stored for definite future reference!!!

It is comforting to learn that YF's own Tom Serio, besides being a great photographer as well as person, is a pleasure to work with. Like every profession dealing especially with the arts, you always have top people who are great to deal with and gladly share their virtuosity with others with a smile while on the other hand, we all see unfortunate examples of equally talented people who are, ahhh, the horse's patoot....I guess that that is life, eh??

Cheers,

Rick Tomlinson is also a very good superyacht photographer

@Tom: Thanks for your link. You have amazing shots there

+1

And thanks for sharing so many of your best shots right here on YF!!

Thanks everyone for the kind words and support. I remember the days I would drool over the yacht photos in the magazines when I was a lad up in New York, thinking two things: 1. I want to be a captain on a yacht like those, and 2. I want to photograph yachts like those.
Well, I have succeeded in both of those, to varying levels. And now, I like to bring those images to those who are not fortunate to be close to the floating platforms but have the same drool-factor that I had (and still have).
Thanks to all the wonderful friends here on YF.

Of course, here's a parting shot. Taken from the bow of a 130 Westport.