Originally from Akita, Japan, Hiro Kobayashi graduated from the City College of New York where he encountered the art of photography. After colleage, Hiro became an assistant for New York still life photographer, Sylvere Azoulai. He learned exceptional lighting skills to draw elegant lines in a photographic image by strobe lights.

In 2010, Hiro returned to Tokyo and became an assistant for Takahito Sato, a leading advertisement photographer. In 2011, Hiro created his own studio in Tokyo. He spends most of his time in the studios around Tokyo and Asia, delivering stunning photographic visuals on a daily basis.

Hiro Kobayashi is represented by Red Cactus.

Welcome to Showcase China, brought to you by Production Paradise. This issue features some of the leading photographers, photo and film production companies, photo agents, location services and scouts, and post production companies currently working out of China.

You can find more creative professionals and facilities for photographic and film production in our Beijing (Photo/ Film), Shanghai (Photo/ Film) and Hong Kong (Photo/ Film) directories.

Companies including Coca-Cola, HP, Nike, Airbnb, McDonald's, Lego, Levis, Sprite, Lacoste, Adidas, Ponds, Sephora, Harper's Bazaar, Diesel, Huawei, Maserati, Vichy L’Oréal, Mercedes-Benz, and Maybelline among others, have trusted these professionals with their latest advertising campaigns and editorial shoots.

Be sure not to miss our recommended events:

• 19th Shanghai International Film Festival - until 19th June. 
• Shikijo: eroticism in Japanese photography - photography exhibition by 13 Japanese artists. Until 25th June at Blindspot Gallery, Honk Kong.
• ''The Legend of Time'': Araki Nobuyoshi and Hiroshi Sugimotop photography exhibition, until 30th June at Je Fine Art Gallery, Shanghai. 

Our cover image was shot by Yin Chao.

"Hi there, we're Central Studios. Conveniently located in the heart of Shanghai, near Xintiandi, we're both an award-winning production house as well a premium rental studio. We have ample space, housing flexible warehouse-sized studios that are ideal for stills, motion and events of all kinds.

Our bilingual crew is here to support you whether you're in the fashion, media or advertising industry. We take pride in putting service first, ensuring hassle free productions. We can assist in location search and support as well as set building.

On the equipment side, our in-house gear includes a wide selection of Profoto, Broncolor, Phase One, Canon, as well as continuous lighting solutions and all the grip you’d expect. And if we don’t have it, we’ll find it for you, whether shooting in Shanghai or beyond. We are also proud to be the exclusive rental partner for Schmidli Backdrops in China with a stock of 12 gorgeous hand-crafted 12x20’ backdrops.

For events we are a popular choice for film screenings, brand launches, corporate off-sites and press events."

Amanacliq is a full service production house dedicated to the dynamic Asian market. With its partners, amana inc from Tokyo and Bernstein Andriulli from New York, it is able to provide complete visual solutions with a wide range of services for photography, film and illustration including facilities and equipment rental, as well as post-production work.

With the experience of working with most multinational clients and advertising agencies worldwide, Amanacliq offers fresh exciting ideas for the advertising industry and clients, including some of the world’s largest brands such as Adidas, Coca-Cola, Nike, P&G, Chrysler, Pepsi and Unilever, etc.

"We try our best to provide great value to communicate your ideas!"

Migs is a specialist in automotive imaging and is one of the few commercial artists who can combine the best qualities of photography and CGI. He has ventured to some of the furthest corners of the world in search of striking imagery for prestigious clients such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Lamborghini, Skoda, Tesla Motors, and General Motors. 2015 added new clients such as Audi Hong Kong and Lexus. Ad agencies include JWT, Y&R, BBDO, Havas, Grip Limited, and McCann.

When he is not working on advertising commissions, Migs can be found shooting for editorials. He also finds time to focus on personal projects shot in Iceland, the UAE, and different parts of Europe. Originally from Toronto, he is now based in Asia.

Migs’ recent award is the highly coveted selection in Lurzer’s Archive '200 Best Advertising Photographers Worldwide' list for 2016/17.

sElves is a Shanghai-based post-production studio specialising in fashion and beauty retouching.

Since 2011, sElves Shanghai has been working with many successful image makers in China and with local and international clients including Adidas, C&A, Sephora and Ponds.

"We promise each job we undertake will be handled with the highest care, both technically and aesthetically. You can enjoy London-renowned high quality services right here in China!"

Operating in Milan, Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo, Sharpen Studio is staffed by an international and locally-based, multilingual production team. Supporting clients in any production request for films, commercials, photo shoots, and events, the company provides a whole package of creativity and 360° service.

With a cyclorama and the best equipment on the market, Sharpen Studio provides any kind of photo or video equipment solution as well as casting, hair and make-up artists, stylists, location scouting, transport, translation, catering and assistant support, set-build and other pre- and post-production services. The studio is able to offer production services and location scouting across Europe and Asia, with a wide choice of spectacular locations in Italy and Japan.

Clients include Vogue, Pop Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, L'Officiel, Adidas, Intel, Range Rover, Pantene, Kappa, Chopard, Tissot and many more.

Studio Stare is an award-winning production company based in Shanghai. Working with brands and agencies since 2008, and creating content for both Chinese and global markets, Studio Stare strives to create engaging videos that form a personal connection with brands, as well as making the audience care.

Studio Stare also provides a wide range of services for international productions including locations, permits, crew, talent and equipment. With an experienced team of bi-lingual producers, fixers and post-production talent, Studio Stare makes for an ideal partner at all stages of any sized production.

Clients include Airbnb, Budweiser, Converse, eBay, Fiat, Lipton, Nike, New Balance, Old Navy and Oreo.

Based in Shanghai and Los Angeles, 5th Avenue Production is a full service production company specialising in photo and video production, celebrity consulting and models casting. It offers efficient and cost effective services for advertising, fashion, editorial and TV commercials.

Services include: photo/video production, photography, celebrity consulting, celebrity endorsement, celebrity & models casting and booking for commercials, events, studio & gear rental, location scouting, and other services including arranging business visas, airport pick-up, hotels and transportation.

Clients include: Maserati, L’Oréal, adidas, UPS, Ogilvy, GSK, BASF, Artengo, Kalenji, Nabaiji, Getty Images, UBS, Schindler, IBM, Abbott, Elle, Vogue, Look, GQ and many more as well as celebrities, advertising agencies and famous photographers.

The company provides services in the US , Europe, and major Asian cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei and Hong Kong.

Ehrin Macksey is a photographer and film maker based in Asia for over 10 years. Originally from a documentary photography background, Ehrin applied his award-winning visual style to commercial and corporate photography and videos, working for clients looking for a different visual perspective with authentic and unique imagery to represent their company and brand.

Ehrin is commissioned by Fortune 500 companies looking to produce annual reports, corporate social responsibility reports and image libraries, as well as videos. Ehrin's documentary background also provides him with a skill set to not only provide unique images and videos, but also adapt to locations in different countries, solving problems, dealing with tight deadlines, and getting the images needed without excuses.

In 2015, he was commissioned to shoot videos and stills in Armenia, Germany, Switzerland, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Panama, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and India.

Some of his clients include: Intel, Buhler, Microsoft, IBM, GE, Johnson & Johnson, Scenic Tours, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Lan Airlines, BNP Paribas Cardiff, World Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, VIB Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNAIDS, Hear The World Foundation, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, Nordstrom, Sonova, M•A•C Cosmetics, Redhat, Simitomo Corporation, Triyards, Monocle Magazine, Travel & Leisure USA, Ogilvy & Mather, GREY Group and Masan Group.