Vilka (aka somm_bird) is a multidisciplinary creative with over 20 years in the fashion industry, specialising in visual merchandising and campaign direction. She has led creative execution and brand experience for iconic Australian labels, shaping how customers connect with fashion across physical spaces.

Expanding into UX/UI and AI-driven design in 2020, Vilka now blends industry expertise with emerging technology to craft digital experiences and future-facing visual concepts. Through somm_bird, her experimental platform, she explores the intersection of fashion, art, and technology, merging couture-inspired forms, abstract beauty and florals with digital experimentation to create surreal, fashion-driven visuals that embrace contrasts and the unexpected.

A brand ambassador for fashion apps Refabric: AI and FERMAT app, her work has been featured on WGSN, at Premier Vision, shown in LA, London, Tokyo, Berlin, and Spain, was named a finalist at the 2024 global AI design awards, and a winner in this year's Spotlight Awards.

Alex Wallace’s talent for photography was spotted early on, at his brother’s third birthday party no less. He captured the precise moment his little bro sneezed on the cake while trying to blow out the candles, icing sugar flying onto the unsuspecting audience. Fun times.

Alex no longer shoots birthday parties. He has instead honed his talent to capture other critical moments for businesses in the advertising and industrial world. He has picked up a few awards along the way, but that is not why clients keep coming back. And it is certainly not for his sense of humour or writing style either, which tends to wander off in odd directions. So it must be his ability to deliver great images in challenging situations within tight timeframes.

Lucas Allen is a photographer and director based in Melbourne and New York, known for his clean, graphic style and his ability to work with both natural and artificial light. He loves mixing things up, shooting stills and directing motion, with a focus on advertising, interiors, lifestyle, and travel.

Lucas has worked with top global brands like Marriott Hotels, House & Garden UK, Blackmagic, and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Lucas brings creativity, energy, and a problem-solving mindset to every project. His collaborative approach and eye for detail always lead to striking results. With production teams in both the U.S. and Australia, Lucas is able to shoot all kinds of projects, big or small, around the world.

This once Salvation Army Citadel is now reincarnated as a space where ideas can flourish. Creative Citadel.

With carefully considered floor plans, Creative Citadel offers maximum space flexibility for designers, content creators, stills photographers, film makers, and more to work efficiently together. The spaces are also ideal for film and stills shoots, short run art exhibitions, events, workshops, meetings, even health and wellness classes, pop ups or activations.

"We like to think of Creative Citadel as a luxe space. A space that does not feel like an office or a bland white studio. A space that could be someone’s well-appointed home or a boutique city bar or hotel that has been instagrammed way too many times.

When you walk through the arched door you go on a small journey. Traveling from a cool bar reception to an open event space. Stroll a little further and you will find yourself in a shoot space. And if you look closely you will find hidden edit suites and makeup rooms.

The best thing about the Citadel is that all of the spaces can be whatever you want them to be. Or better yet: the spaces can be whatever you need them to be."

Welcome to our latest Showcase USA & Canada, where we celebrate the outstanding talent and services within the commercial creative industry across Canada and the United States. This edition features the work of renowned photographers, directors, full service production companies and production caterers. 

In this issue we highlight two recent winners of the Spotlight Awards in the Advertising and Still Life categories; you will also find covers for The Cut, lifestyle projects for Uber Eats, and two outdoorsy campaigns, one for Oros Apparel and another for Triple Aught Design, plus much more.

Our featured series is 'The Fast Take' by New York-based photographer and director Rick Wenner: celebrity portraits created in the fast moving studios of film festivals and awards shows. Often created in under two minutes, each session becomes a quick exchange that turns brief encounters into lasting impressions. Further explore our extensive North America Directory and past issues of Showcase magazines. 

Do not miss these events:

The Museum of the City of New York presents Robert Rauschenberg’s New York, Pictures from the Real World, celebrating the artist's centennial. This show explores his innovative integration of photography and found objects, reflecting his complex relationship with New York City.

At the de Young in San Francisco, Art of Manga showcases the world of manga from the 1970s to today. Featuring rarely presented original drawings by major artists, the exhibition explores manga as a powerful medium for visual storytelling.

"I love a return client. They get you. They trust you. And they know your sense of humor. Then all of a sudden it no longer becomes about getting the shots and getting the list checked off. It morphs into a dance, a playfully choreographed composition of creatives doing what we do."

Cameron is represented by The Gren Group.

Chad Dennis approaches portraiture with intention, treating every image as a chance to say something meaningful about the person in front of the camera. For him, photography is not simply about pressing a button, it is about preparation, conversation and finding the moments that feel honest. He believes portraits should do more than record a face, they should reveal character and create a sense of connection that feels immediate and human.

Chad works closely with individuals, teams and organisations to build portraits that support clear communication, whether the aim is personal branding, leadership presence or engaging a wider audience. His process is grounded in collaboration, helping clients present themselves with confidence while keeping the atmosphere warm and easy.

Clients such as the United Nations, NFL, Mayo Clinic, Farah & Farah, and The Guardian have trusted Chad to bring their people and purpose into focus, creating imagery that resonates long after the shoot wraps.

Matthew Anderson is a California-based photographer exploring the nuance of craft through lens and light. From vineyard to bottle, lab to bar, his work captures the layered stories behind the things we taste, touch, wear, and make.

He gravitates toward real materials, careful design, and the rhythm of skilled hands. Whether shooting whiskey, watches, or EV tech, his images highlight the connection between human intent and physical form.

Recent subjects include independent spirits, luxury goods, agriculture, and emerging tech—all photographed with care, curiosity, and a deep respect for process.

View the full portfolio at mattande.com.

"This summer has been a season of movement, dust, and discovery. Between long miles on the road and quiet nights under open skies, I’ve had the chance to explore new landscapes, chase light across unfamiliar trails, and connect with the kind of places that remind me why I do this work.

One of the highlights was a recent project with Triple Aught Design, where I captured the intersection of craftsmanship, capability, and the spirit of adventure. From rugged backcountry routes to remote camps, each shoot pushed creativity and gear to their limits. It’s been a summer defined by motion—travel, storytelling, and the constant pursuit of the next horizon."

Peter Baiamonte’s strengths include clean storytelling, rigorous composition, vibrant colours, creative problem solving, and an ability to connect with his subjects—setting them at ease and making their time in front of the camera comfortable. He's also great at assembling an excellent crew, working collaboratively with clients, and creating a friendly vibe on set.

Included in this group of images are photos from travel in the Azores, assignment work at the 2024 DNC, a portrait of a custom bicycle maker (done on film with a Widelux camera), and other assorted portraits.

Peter’s work includes many styles and disciplines: portraiture, lifestyle, landscape, travel, and sports, among others. He splits his time between New York City and the Massachusetts Berkshires, working regularly with clients in New York and Boston as well as the entirety of New England.

Peter's clients include Ernst & Young, Con Edison, Panasonic, Bayer, University of the Pacific, Berkshire Magazine, CNY Group, Altimetrik, First Manhattan Co., and Wyckoff Heights Medical Center.