John Toolan, Photo Director / Editor / Researcher / Producer

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About: I recently wrapped up a 12+ year run as the Director of Photography at Field & Stream and Outdoor Life, and a concurrent three-year stint as DOP of Popular Science. I have a broad array of experience working with artists of all stripes (portraiture, conceptual, still life, documentary, and recently CGI). Assigning, research, budget management, conceptualizing, networking and negotiations all come easily to me. I greatly enjoy collaboration and come to the table well-prepared and organized. Most of all, I enjoy this job. I've been doing it since high school and can't imagine doing anything else.

I am open to either full-time or part-time work.

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 20+ Years

Skills:

  • Translating complicated ideas into compelling conceptual imagery

  • Finding and nurturing new talent

  • Ability to pivot quickly as conditions change

  • Good at finding creative solutions to challenging situations

  • Can create great work with a small budget

  • Works well with designers, editors, writers...even the legal and accounting staff!

  • Never met a deadline I couldn't handle

  • Experience working for a wide array of brands

  • Great relationships with a wide range of photographers from different disciplines

  • Have managed departments

  • Can teach you to fish

  • Excellent ping pong player

Portfolio: johntoolanphoto.com

Location: New York / New Jersey / Remote / Can travel

Contact: jtoolan@gmail.com

Stefan Falke, Photographer

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About: As a photographer based in New York City I am always interested in new connections, local, national and international.

My latest personal body of work "Keep Going New York !!" won awards from Communication Arts, ASMP and IPA, and led to a major advertising assignment in New York City in 2022. The title also describes my positive attitude towards just about anything, and especially my photography.

I shoot for major international publications and corporate clients and my personal projects have been shown in over twenty solo exhibitions in museums, galleries and at prestigious photo festivals like PHOTOVILLE in New York, VISA POUR L'IMAGE in Perpignan, and TRIENNALE DER PHOTOGRAPHIE in Hamburg.

Long story short, I am looking forward to hearing from you, and if it is just to say hello or discuss photography. Or, best case scenario, we solve a visual problem together.... (www.stefanfalke.com)

Part-time / Full-time: Part-time

Experience: 20+ Years

Skills: people, people, people

Portfolio: https://www.stefanfalke.com

Location: New York City

Contact: stefanfalke@mac.com

Karen Williams, Photo Director/Producer

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About: Photo Director, Producer, and Visual Storyteller with 10+ years’ experience at major media and brands. I have created and art-directed images for prime brands and media, including Square, Airbnb, Apple, AARP, MasterClass, Wired, and San Francisco Magazine. I have produced hundreds of photo shoots, spanning the entire creative process from securing talent to onsite logistics to post-production. Stepped in to lead photo departments and visual aesthetics, managing all collaborations with creative teams and photographers.

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 11-15 Years

Skills:
- Developed, creative concepts and art-directed shoots
- Conceptualized, budgeted, and spec the ground-up development of in-house creative and logistical capabilities for photo and video.
- Built rosters of top-class photographers and videographers, both domestic and international.
- Created department budgets.
- Developed terms for licensing agreements.
- Formulated and recommended post-production processes.
- Managed relationships with post-production vendors.

Portfolio: https://www.karenphotofreelance.com/

Location: San Fransisco, CA or Remote

Contact: karenphotofreelance@gmail.com

Jeri Warlick, Illustrator/Designer

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About: Austin, TX based illustrator/designer with 20+ years experience. Background in architecture and fashion design.

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 20+ Years

Skills:
Adobe Creative Suite.
Layout design.
Marketing illustration.
Strong attention to detail.
Adaptability.
Autocad.
Photography skills.

Portfolio: Jeriglyn.com

Location: Austin, TX

Contact: Warlickdesignworks8@gmail.com

June Lee, Illustrator

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About: Hi there! I'm June, a graphic designer and freelance illustrator based in Brooklyn, NY. I recently joined SPD as a first place winner of SPD's Student-U Competition in illustration. As this post may suggest, I love to illustrate and find the challenge of digesting written word in to visual storytelling a mind-bending yet satisfying practice.

Outside of my graphic design discipline, I often initiate personal projects where I'd illustrate covers for the New Yorker, or illustrate a series of editorial illustrations based off some of my favorite Modern love essays and opinion pieces on the New York Times.

Professionally, I have freelanced for Women's Health, illustrated cover art for NoDap Podcast on Spotify, and collaborated with Whalen Book Works to publish a quirky book, "Don't Hurt a Sasquatch", and two more books currently in the works!

Part-time / Full-time: Part-time

Experience: 0-5 Years

Skills:
Editorial illustration
Adobe Creative Suite

Portfolio: https://www.instagram.com/workive/

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Contact: junelee799@gmail.com

Billy Delfs, Photographer

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About: My photography is an expression of an individual’s character and it’s my responsibility to show this in a way that instills confidence and trust; designed to reveal hopes, dreams, warmth and spirit. Living and working in New York City, I come from 15 years of experience in Cleveland, Ohio. People interest me. I care about what they are committed to or passionate about and I contribute images of people for stories or brands. My process is to find balance between the set up and letting there be room for spontaneity.

Part-time / Full-time: Part-time

Experience: 11-15 Years

Skills: Photography, Portraits, Lifestyle, and Commercial

Portfolio: www.billydelfs.com

Location: NYC

Contact: billy@billydelfs.com

Martin Gee, Illustrator

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About: Martin Gee is an illustrator, designer, art director, animator, public speaker and Emmy-winner based in New York.

His 20+ years of experience and path of destruction include TIME, HuffPost, The Boston Globe, The San Jose Mercury News, Chicago Tribune, House of Blues, and The Orange County Register. He continues to advocate truth, equality, racial and social justice, creativity, empathy and love. Changing the world is on his to-do list.

Gee's smart and graphic style is highly versatile, from business illustrations in The New York Times to a Baby Yoda coloring book for Vulture to his personal animation. He is constantly exploring his truths: Chinese American identity, gender, trauma and mental health with various styles and media. His obsessive personal projects are boundless.

Gee is a designer 24/7 with sophisticated style and tastes with his surroundings, high-end toys (mostly robots and Lego), personal artifacts, Animal Crossing island (DA-8607-1113-3836) and ultimately his work.

Work in Progress, his ever-evolving talk, is the standard dog-and-pony show put through a mental health lens with TMI. He delves into his illustration and design paths, the solace in drawing, various side quests and creatively maintaining his mental health. Please ask for mental and emotional availability.

In addition to his 25% EGOT, Gee has won innumerable awards from acronyms (SOI, SPD, TDC, SND, 3x3, Print) and a fondue set for presentation karaoke / improv. In 2018, he produced and starred in Recurring Public Speaking Nightmare, an improv team show with random Powerpoint presentations in New York.

He is the father of cats to Lady Echo, Lady Gucci and the late great Citrus aka Mancat.

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 20+ Years

Skills:
• Art direction
• Editorial design
• Illustration
• Animation
• Infographics
• Branding
• Public speaking
• Improv comedy
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Apple Keynote
• Woodwing Publishing Platform

Portfolio: http://www.ohmgee.com/

Location: New York

Contact: martingeemail@gmail.com

Shaiwattie Gulcharran, Designer

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About: Shaiwattie Gulcharran is a self-motivated, self-sufficient creative with a strong background in both print and digital media. She is detail oriented and has a comprehensive understanding of Adobe Creative Cloud software in addition to the latest web technologies. Possessing a get it done attitude while not compromising on quality means that she will always maximize the impact of any marketing material.

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 0-5 Years

Skills:

  • Adobe XD

  • After Effects

  • Dreamweaver

  • Illustrator

  • InDesign

  • Lightroom

  • Photoshop

  • Premier

  • Word

  • Excel

  • Powerpoint

Portfolio: https://shaiwattie.myportfolio.com/

Location: New York City

Contact: shaiwattie.creative@gmail.com

Everard Strong, Award Winning Magazine Designer and Publication Manager (Digital or Print)

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About: Over 15 years of award-winning publication design and management, spanning B2B, technical, industry, corporate, and regional titles. I have launched two publications myself, so know full well the challenges that come with running a magazine. Equal experience in managing and handling editorial projects, from writing to editing (both AP and Chicago). I am fast, dependable, passionate, and willing to do what needs to be done to get your project out on time, in great shape, and on budget.

Part-time / Full-time: Part-time

Experience: 16-20 Years

Skills:

  • Software: Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketch, Adobe Spark

  • Hardware: Blazing fast Mac, Dropbox account

  • Design: Ad design, editorial design, cover design

  • Writing: Copywriting, proofreading/copy-editing, headlines

  • Management: Business plans, concepting, UX planning

  • Online: Digital design, website design

Portfolio: www.behance.com/everardstrong

Location: California

Contact: everard.strong@gmail.com

Ben Weeks, Illustrator

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About: Clients include, The New York Times Magazine, Dwell, Stanford School of Business Magazine, Esquire Black Book, The Atlantic. My work has been recognized by Communication Arts, Graphis, D&AD and others. I have taught aspiring illustrators in art colleges as well as aspiring advertising art directors at Miami Ad School Toronto. In addition to illustration, I have led animation projects, directed and storyboarded, built creative brand strategy and advocated for vulnerable people being treated unjustly. While some may interpret what you and I do together with design as page decoration, we in fact harness attention. This guides people through valuable topics, breaks them into digestible concepts and encourages momentum.

Part-time / Full-time: Part-time

Experience: 11-15 Years

Skills: "lots of small sketches" "playful, joy" "vignette ideas—one sense of space" "strong conceptually" "great lettering"
Comments from SPD illustration portfolio reviewers.

Portfolio: www.benweeks.ca

Location: Toronto, Canada

Contact: ben@benweeks.ca

Lauren Pusateri, Commercial & Editorial Photographer

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About: Tucked away on the fourth floor of a historic warehouse, Lauren & her all-female creative team turn concepts into campaigns. Utilizing her mastery of light and love of color, Lauren creates imagery that attracts eyeballs and establishes identities for brands and publications that want to stand out in a sea of marketing noise.

This talented team launched a side-project at the on-set of the pandemic to shine a light on women in their community that were doing their part to bring a little kindness into the chaos. Check out their labor of love, here: http://arealnicelady.com

Lauren's team includes: art director, designer, retoucher, prop stylist, paper artist.

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 11-15 Years

Skills: Photography, Creative Direction, Videography, Animation, Story Boarding, Digital and Social Media

Lauren's in-house team includes: art director, designer, retoucher, prop stylist, paper artist

Portfolio: http://laurenpusateri.com

Location: Kansas City, Missouri

Contact: hello@laurenpusateri.com

Kathy Nguyen, Photo Director and Creative Producer

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About: Creative Photo + Art Director and Producer with a passion and extensive experience managing and leading teams of photographers, prop stylists, video editors, designers, retouchers and freelancers to concept, produce and art direct on-brand quality imagery and videos to support all cross channel teams and drive content strategy. As the Director of Creative Production at Birchbox, I produce and manage small to large scale photography and video requests for all marketing, social and contents needs and collaborate with cross teams to intake and build requests, allocating photo/video resources and ensuring on-time delivery from initial vision all the way through to execution. I also manage the budget, including building estimates, negotiating talent rates, stylist and prop budgets, model casting and freelance talent.

As the former Photo Director at The Knot, I was the sole producer of all original content for covers, fashion and style features including still life and on-model photos shoots. Along with the Design Director, I concepted all creative direction and executed beautiful photography while managing the budget to ensure quality of work across multiple projects for the magazine and brand.

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 11-15 Years

Skills:
• 14+ years of professional experience in a creative environment including managing a team, leading cross-platform design projects & creating assets
• Digital expertise - including social and digital content platform current best practices, creative standards, A/B testing, and performance / conversion drivers
• Excellent communication skills, strong process and team leadership skills
• Experience with relevant tools: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Bridge, Asana, Slack
• Experience concepting & managing photo and video production
• Ability to work in a fast-paced setting, under tight deadlines, with strong project and time management skills
• Comfortable working both autonomously and collaboratively

Portfolio: www.kathynguyenphoto.com

Location: NYC

Contact: kathynguyenphoto@gmail.com

Bryan Nanista, Designer and Art Director

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About: Well, let's be honest, you just want to see the work, so please check it out at monochromedesignhouse.com

But, here is my spiel:
I started my design career in small newspapers, teaching myself about grids, column structure and gaining a strong grasp on composition. As time went by, I left newspapers for the sexy gloss of magazines and higher end editorial. Then again came a need to push myself and continue learning different aspects of my field, so I joined the commercial/agency side. When the dust settled, I began my own design house where I get to work in both commercial and editorial fields, best of both worlds.

Monochrome Design House has a singular vision—to make work that is bold, unique, and perfect for the client. I see design as a language that interacts with consumers. It draws them in and whispers what to think. Design is king here. I work to create impactful creative with partners through collaborations, communication, and shared insights. I believe that the right creative can change the way people look at a brand or project, even change the way they look at the world.

Super thanks for checking out the work.

Part-time / Full-time: Part-time

Experience: 16-20 Years

Skills:
- Design: editorial, commercial, branding, packaging, print & digital (if I haven't done it, I'm sure I can figure it out)
- Creative Direction
- Branding/Marketing
- Motion Graphics

Portfolio: monochromedesignhouse.com

Location: Denver, Co

Contact: bryan@monochromedesignhouse.com

Rufus Agbede, Designer/Art Director/Creative Director

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About: Rufus Agbede is a Los Angeles-based Graphic Designer, Art Director and Creative Director. He helps brands achieve a consistent and pertinent look that appeals to their chosen market.

“I thoroughly enjoy my work,” he says. “Design is a passion that is at its best when done with drive, polish and purpose.”

Rufus worked as the Art Director for Robb Report magazine for over a decade. He was also the senior Designer and Art Director at Mercury Publishing and Rhodes Publications, respectively. He was recently at Bobit Business Media as Art Director, creative services.

He's an accomplished fine artist, and his work is collected by art connoisseurs globally.

A creative and focused thinker, Rufus prides himself on the careful development of compelling solutions on time.

Part-time / Full-time: Part-time

Experience: 16-20 Years

Skills:
• Excellent sense of typography and design principles.
• Passionate and conceptual problem solver, with proven design abilities.
• Exceptional photo art director for Luxury Brands.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Work well independently or within a creative team.
• Adept with assigning and coordinating projects with photographers, illustrators and designers.
• Deadline driven with a keen eye for detail and research.
• Creating complete comps and mood boards.
• Managing Budget allotment.

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES
• Comprehensive knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects, Premier Pro and QuarkXpress
• Experienced and proficient with Macintosh platform.
• Complete understanding of print media, CMYK process, pre press, color correction and proofing.
• Highly knowledgeable in print and digital media deliverables.
• Create and manage InDesign templates and style sheets.
• Maintaining brand guidelines

Portfolio: www.rufusagbede.com

Location: Los Angeles, California

Contact: rufusagbede@gmail.com

Prashansa Thapa, Graphic and Interactive Designer

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About: I am a recent graduate from Temple University with a degree in Graphic and Interactive Design and a minor in General Business. I am a self-motivated individual with a curiosity to learn more. Because of my curious nature, I tend to dive deep into research when doing any sort of work and also get inspired by a variety of things that often influence my work. I love to analyze things and learn things from a different perspective and when it comes to my work, this often allows me to approach the user in a more insightful manner.

I have worked various graphic design jobs during my time at Temple University where I was able to put into practice all that I have learned in school. In addition to that, I was also able to gain valuable professional experience working in teams and managing different tasks. Besides graphic design, I like to cook, read, and enjoy music.

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 0-5 Years

Skills:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud

    • Aftereffects, Illustrator, Indesign, Lightroom, Photoshop, XD

  • Microsoft Office

    • PowerPoint, Word

  • Invision

  • Sketch

  • Wordpress

Portfolio: https://pthapa.com

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Contact: pr.thapam@gmail.com

Alex Barrett, Illustrator/Designer

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About: 15+ years of experience as an illustrator, 3+ years experience as a graphic designer. I'm up for anything, although I'm partial to loud, fast and fun.

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 11-15 Years

Skills: Illustration, Graphic Design, Cartooning, Layout, Typography, Motion Graphics, Social Media, Branding, Logo Design, Comics, Storyboarding, Adobe CS, Prepress, Print and Digital Production

Portfolio: www.alexbarrettdesign.com

Location: Portland, OR, USA

Contact: alexbarrettdesigner@gmail.com

Andrea Fremiotti, Photographer, Retoucher, and Digital Artist

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About: I am a photographer and digital artist with nearly 20 years of experience shooting commercial, editorial, and fine art projects. My achievements include shooting the key art for the Netflix series "Selection Day,” shooting "New York" magazine's first VR 360 feature story (print and digital), and crafting portraits of celebrity performing artists such as James Scully and Judith Godreche.

I shoot mainly portraits, but also products/still life, VR 360, and travel. I have a private home studio in Brooklyn with shooting and post production space.

My awards include several from the SPD for magazine stories illustrated with my photography, and a Lucie in 2017, honoring the greatest achievements in photography with an exhibit at Carnegie Hall.

I also own Burn Photo, a digital boutique providing photographers, directors, and agencies with a full range of creative and technical services. Retouching clients include Showtime and Credit Suisse.

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 20+ Years

Skills:
- Portraiture, VR 360, editorial, travel, still life
- Retouching, Photoshop expert, Adobe Creative Suite
- Asset management, CaptureOne
- Private studio in Brooklyn

Portfolio: andreafremiotti.com and burnphoto.com

Location: New York City, will travel

Contact: andrea@andreafremiotti.com

Amy Glass, Photographer and Photo Retoucher

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About: Amy is a commercial and editorial photographer with a special place in her heart for photographing people. Especially people who are passionate about what they are doing. She is able to connect with her subjects and put them at ease in front of the camera. Amy keeps a calm presence on hectic sets and has a great sense of humor.

Some clients include Express, prAna, and Graduate Hotels.

Check out her photo + interview series at http://hoodooseries.com

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 11-15 Years

Skills:

  • Portraiture, travel, editorial, food, video

  • Film and digital photography

  • Photoshop expert, Capture One

  • Art direction (photo and video)

Portfolio: http://amyglassphoto.com

Location: The Midwest, loves travel

Contact: amy@amyglassphoto.com

Andrew Paquette, Photographer and Illustrator

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About: I started working as a freelance illustrator in New York City, 1986. Since then I have made illustrations for books, magazines, record jackets, comic books, 3D art for video games and feature films, story boards, art directed video games, sold paintings in an art gallery, and now specialize in commercial photography. I have also written and illustrated four books on computer graphics and have a PhD from King's College, London.

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 20+ Years

Skills: Traditional drawing and painting, digital 3d/multiple applications, digital 2d/multiple applications, photography and retouching. I've listed my photography website under "Portfolio". To see examples of my other work, go to: https://www.paqart.com/

Portfolio: https://www.paqphoto.com/

Location: Salt Point, NY

Contact: paqart@gmail.com

Christopher Malcolm, Photographer

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About: Christopher Malcolm is an award-winning commercial and editorial photographer based in Los Angeles. Some of his commercial clients include Nike, Lululemon, and ASICS. He has shot for publications such as Men's Journal and Runner's World. He has also won prestigious awards from organizations such as American Photography, PDN, APA, and The Lucie Foundation.

Part-time / Full-time: Full-time

Experience: 16-20 Years

Skills: Fitness, Activewear, Fashion, Portraiture. Both Still Photography and Motion/Video Direction and Cinematography. Creative Direction and Production.

Portfolio: www.christophermalcolmphotography.com

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Contact: chris@christophermalcolmphotography.com