Saira Mac
Available

Saira Mac

Photographer, Video, Art DirectionLondon, United Kingdom
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Saira Mac
Available

Saira Mac

Photographer, Video, Art DirectionLondon, United Kingdom
About me
From photographing celebrities to filming Toyota executives, I’ve worked with a diverse spectrum of renowned household names and shot projects around the world for eight years. Clients come to me for my straightforward approach and eye for compelling narrative — both skills which have been honed through my background as a head of post-production, producer and art director. I’m based between Berkshire and London and am available for International assignments. Get in touch and let’s make it happen.
Projects
  • DreamFur Moscow 2017
    DreamFur Moscow 2017In late 2017, Moscow based outerwear brand DreamFur commissioned me to create London street style inspired imagery for their social media channels.
  • Monkey Business Cape Town Projects, 2017
    Monkey Business Cape Town Projects, 2017In advertising terms, Cape Town is a fantastic city to shoot in. The quality of light, beautiful locations and abundance of great models and production made this city a frequent host to the Monkey Business production team who I worked with on this project. This content was created for iStock and Shutterstock amongst other agencies. As more brands turn to stock libraries to lead advertising campaigns, the images in this sector have transformed themselves in the last decade from false to genuine in a big way. The challenge lies in producing content which is some what generic yet retains an authenticity. Casting has become diverse, locations are dynamic, styling is considered and real human interaction is vital to the image. In many ways, each shoot is an ad campaign within itself and the challenge as a photographer is constantly reworking and reframing key concepts such as ‘business’ and ‘lifestyle’ into the current visual trends of today. Here's a look at some of my Photography and Art Direction from the various shoots in Cape Town in 2017.
  • Hemmerle 2016-17
    Hemmerle 2016-17Hemmerle is a Munich based luxury jewellery brand focused on the design and creation of exquisite pieces, often regarded as the cornerstone in craftsmanship. I worked with Hemmerle and Pelham Communications to document the brand in two well known art fairs; Masterpiece London and PAD London. Capturing the booth, atmosphere and pieces on video for their social media channels.
  • Monkey Business Los Angeles Projects, 2013-17
    Monkey Business Los Angeles Projects, 2013-17My time with Monkey Business Images saw many overseas shoots, especially to LA, the home of great models and locations. This content was created for iStock and Shutterstock amoungst other agencies. As more brands turn to stock libraries to lead advertising campaigns, the images in this sector have transformed themselves in the last decade from false to genuine in a big way. The challenge lies in producing content which is some what generic yet retains an authenticity. Casting has become diverse, locations are dynamic, styling is considered and real human interaction is vital to the image. In many ways, each shoot is an ad campaign within itself and the challenge as a photographer is constantly reworking and reframing key concepts such as ‘business’ and ‘lifestyle’ into the current visual trends of today. Here's a look at some of my Photography and Art Direction from the various projects in LA over the course of my time with the company.
  • Street Style, London, Paris, Seoul Fashion Week
    Street Style, London, Paris, Seoul Fashion WeekOver the years I've covered Paris, London and Seoul fashion week, capturing street style of fashion enthusasts, bloggers and infludencrs. I've been fortunate enough to catch Anna Wintour, Anna Dello Russo, Eva Chen, Olivia Palermo as well as various well known models. For me though, its not soley about the subject being 'famous' but also about the fashion itself. I'm contiously amazed by the guests who make such an effort for the love for fashion. Right from the bloggers down to the fashion students who stand out side the venues all day tryign to catch a glimpse of the new pieces. Its also a great chance to meet and speak with other photographers of a similar background. I've met die hard paparazi photographers, art directors, stylists, bloggers and students, just from being around the fashion week venues. Its a great way to shoot images and also interact with subjects on a high volume. Frame, technicality and creativity are being consistently challenged. I shot a vast majority of this content whislt working for Monkey Business which was then licenced by Getty and Offset for various print and online use.
  • Charleen, Cape Town for OFFSET
    Charleen, Cape Town for OFFSET
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Work history
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    M
    Photographer and Post-Production ManagerMonkey Business Images
    United KingdomFull Time
    -5 years shooting in Cape Town, America and Europe whilst being based in Oxfordshire. -Supplying visual content to image agencies such as Getty Images, Shutterstock and RexFeatures with both RF and Editorial content. Maintaining great relationships, negotiating contracts and licensing terms. -Assisting Art Directors on new shoot ideas, adverting trends and market intelligence. Casting models, locations, styling and delivering on budget. -Editing shoots using CaptureOne whilst also managing a team of retouchers, delivering ongoing training, outsourcing work, ensuring visual consistency. -Photographing street style at London, Paris and Seoul fashion week.

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    H
    ProducerHow Graphic Design
     - Sydney, AustraliaFull Time
    Coordinated delivering briefs for International FMCG brands such as Dove, Simple Cosmetics and Walls. This included facilitating conceptual design, layouts, shoots and artwork using in-house commissioned and contracted design resources. Sourcing and contracting of photography, illustration and other external creative services whilst managing budgets between $1K-$100K with equal professionalism.
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Skills
  • Visual Arts
  • Final Cut Pro
  • Photoshop
  • Capture One
  • Production
  • Photography
  • Videography
  • Corporate Videography
Education
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    N
    BA (Hons) Photography as DocumentaryNottingham Trent University
    Nottingham, United Kingdom
    Dissertation: ‘Orientalism: Validity in contemporary photojournalistic images of women’
 Final work selected for exhibition at Free Range exhibition, Truman Brewery, London.