Production Paradise

Welcome to the very first edition of Showcase Milan to coincide with the launch of our brand new Milan directory at www.productionparadise.com.

Two forthcoming Milan events that we would like to mention:

Io e Gli Altri by Elliott Erwitt - at the International Centre for Photography, Forma until 17 June. This exhibition, dedicated to Elliott Erwitt, includes 80 portraits and self-portraits from the artist's career.

Online fashion magazine Iconique launches the Iconique Societás Excellence in Fashion Photography Awards with the aim of shining the international spotlight onto the best contemporary fashion photographers. Deadline for entries is 15 June 2007. See our feature below for further details.

Our selected photo is shot by Julia Krahn.

mil photography/photo production: SCL PRODUCTION

mil makeup/hair/styling/styling, hair and make up agents: NANCY GALLARDO

Nancy Gallardo was born in Venezuela, and studied Arts at the Universidad Central de Venezuela. She was introduced to the fashion industry while working as a model.

Today, she takes her inspiration from the passion she sees in people's faces, as well as playing with colour. She tells us that she is also inspired by film, painting, photography, fashion, people and nature.

She has worked with magazines including Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, Flair, GQ, You Magazine, Zink and InStyle.

She has collaborated on fashion shows for Fendi, Missoni, Roberto Cavalli, Etro, Extè, Armani, Versace, Ferrè, Valentino, Rocco Barocco, Ralph Lauren, Marithè and Francois Girbaud.

Nancy is currently based in Milan but tells us she takes pleasure in travelling and working all over the world.

mil photography/photographers: SONIA MARIN

Sonia Marin is a freelance photographer who also works as an external lecturer in the department of Photography of the European Institute of Design.

Since 1994 she has been working on the commercial side of photography, especially with still life work and as a fine art photographer, organising travelling exhibitions from Copenhagen to Washington, Boston and Barcelona.

In 2004, she exhibited in Tokyo for the 30-year anniversary of Zoom magazine.

She is able to capture the emotions and sensations of living through simple images of everyday objects and the human body by 'decontextualising and re-inserting them in a new environment'.

All her images are rendered through Polaroid.

mil photography/photographers: FRANCESCO BRIGIDA

Photographer Francesco Brigida is based in Milan and specialises in fashion, beauty and portraits.

His passion for photography began at an early age inspiring him to make this form of art also a part of his work. For him, films and literature represent an important source of inspiration from which he draws themes for his images.

His style balances technique and aesthetics allowing viewers of his work to find themselves in front of a clean and extremely engaging image. His work is easily recognisable for its poetic attitude because he considers photography to be an extension of his soul.

mil photography/photographers: CRESCENZO MAZZA

Recent campaigns and catalogues completed by fashion photographer Crescenzo Mazza:

• Campaign and catalogue for Takeshy Kurosawa spring/summer 2007
• In Miami, shooting for Bee Band spring/summer 2007 campaign
• Shooting in Sorrento for Giorgia & Johns campaign spring/summer 2007
• Kids campaign for Armont & Blain in Miami at The Everglades National Park

mil photography/photographers: MAURIZIO CIGOGNETTI

Maurizio Cigognetti has been shooting ad campaigns since giving up his job as an art director in the late 80s.

His vast experience and insider knowledge means that he is in demand with ad agencies and clients alike.

His latest campaign for fashion name SHYNO saw him shooting on location in Cuba with well-known Italian model Elena Santarelli.

Names that he has satisfied include MotoGuzzi, Volvo, Samsung, Tuborg, Jansport, Swatch and Telecom.

Maurizio divides his time between Milan and Tuscany.

mil photography/photographers: MCRISTINA.COM

Milan-based freelance professional photographer, Mariacristina specialises in fashion, still life, portraits and advertising photography.

Among her clients: Lavazza, Geox Respira, Ferrero, Inter Abbonamenti, and Max Mara.

mil photography/photographers: CIRO FRANK SCHIAPPA

Ciro Frank Schiappa has been shooting advertising photography for many years and his style can be described as contemporary-artistic.

In addition to working for the major ad agencies, his artistic work has been shown at many exhibitions and published in many titles worldwide.

He specialises in environmental portrait, urban landscape and architecture, with recent projects including:

• Sky - "decoder"
• Nintendo Brain Training
• Creator Studio - "the hours" - 8 am
• A6 50 Anni Autostrada Torino-Savona -  book and exhibition

mil photography/photographers: MARCO DI MARCO

Marco Di Marco was raised in Rome, where he still has his primary residence. He studied fine arts and holds a graduate degree in architecture.

His passion for photography found him at an early age and has developed over the years into a fulfilling professional career.

In the last 10 years, he has been involved in many high-profile commercial projects: from still life to contemporary art, from architecture and design to industrial products as well as reportages, record covers, portraits of celebrities and fashion shootings.

Marco tells us that despite his eclectic professional career, he still likes to dedicate time to developing experimental projects.

mil photography/photographers: JULIA KRAHN

• Yoga - drink
• Audi - accessories
• Fila - eyewear
• Sting - eyewear
• Special Day and Glitter - kidswear
• Atlantique and DJ swimwear

mil photography/photographers: FRANCO CHIMENTI

Franco Chimenti has been shooting advertising, architecture, interiors and still life since the 80s.

In collaboration with major agencies, studios, companies and magazines operating in these sectors, Franco shoots advertising campaigns, catalogues and editorials, alternating his commercial and personal work.

He says that he 'is attentive and curious to put himself to the test in different sectors', and uses digital and film but 'the quality of film is unparalleled in terms of quality and performance.'

Clients include Black & Decker, Briko, Cassina, De Padova, Dubin, Ermenegildo Zegna, Flos, Frank Muller, Lema, Living Divani, Natuzzi, Pomellato, Riva Cantieri, Technogym, Wella and Zanussi.

mil photography/photographers: CLAUDIO BADER

Claudio Bader focuses his work on advertising, architecture, interiors, panoramic photography and video.

He founded NEOViSiONi in 2001 - an agency offering services in communication, immersive imaging, photography and video.

He has been selected and recommended at the European Architecture Photography Prize 2007.

mil photography/photographers: SOLOMANGO

Solomango is a group of professional photographers producing:

• Contemporary travel and reportage features
• Editorial assignments
• Full text by travel writers
• Stock library of high quality photographs

Solomango photographers are based around the world and offer a full assignment service throughout Italy and abroad.

'Back from the Future' by Colin Dutton, Spain has done much in recent years to promote a modern, dynamic image. But if you are nostalgic for 'the old Spain', they suggest you put your sun hat on and fly down to Seville...

mil photography/post production: MATTEO TRANCHELLINI

mil locations/rental studios photo: ARTMOUSE

mil service/special effects/ fireworks: SPECIAL PROJECTS

Special Projects was born in Milan in January 2002 with the aim of operating in the special effects market.

Their specialisation in physical effects, mock-ups, special make-up and special effects in general quickly led them to being considered one of the major Italian players in this field.

Two recent projects include:

Fiat Bravo - using pyrotechnic effects, water, liquids and model cars

Lancia Y - various effects using breakage and explosion techniques

mil media/magazines: ICONIQUE

mil service/set/ scenery design: AXIS DESIGNLAB

Since it was launched in 1995, Axis has worked in exhibition architecture, analysis and planning - with a focus on three main areas: exhibition design, graphic design and interior design.

The company tests global design solutions, providing a service that integrates all elements of communication to express a clear, single message.

Constant research into aesthetically pleasing solutions that are realistic from a structural and logistic point of view with a high visual appeal, is what Axis aims for... creating 'a final product that strictly adheres to the client's initial brief and plan'.