Featured Contributor: Tim Hawley
Internationally acclaimed award-winning photographer and digital artist, Tim Hawley, utilizes a style that he believes transcends the limitations of categorical definitions.
His extensive and wildly expansive portfolio remains starkly different while maintaining a single common thread. Of this visual thread, Hawley writes, “I create memorable images that have a classic beauty based in crisp reality.”
Hawley’s creative capabilities are rendered magnificently through much of his commercial and advertising imagery. One diving and scuba gear company, TUSA, features his images of the coral reef wrapped perfectly around an elegant female body with the caption, “It becomes you.” Another ad series for Samsonite luggage depicts Cirque du Soleil acrobatic performers contorting their body around lightweight luggage with the headline, “Enter the Fantastical World of Lightness.” It is this wonderfully literal, yet fantastically fictitious aspect in many of his advertising works that translates to an incredibly successful collection of art. Unlike many artists, Hawley’s commercial work is remarkably unique in that it stands out and pushes the boundaries of conventional corporate advertisement. It in no way compromises or stifles the whimsical qualities that work to define much of Tim’s work.
I had the pleasure of catching up with Tim regarding his unique visual signature, his personal projects and the inspirational artistic process that guides his work.
Your advertisement work is nothing like I’ve ever seen. From the Samsonite series to the TUSA diving and snorkeling equipment, the flawless edits and delightfully clever approach really leaves your unique stamp on the works you’ve done. Are you completely responsible for the conception of these ads? Is it a collaborative effort? Is this where you would say your work best takes flight?
I wish I could take the credit for these outstanding concepts but the truth is that ads such as these are developed by a team of creatives at an advertising agency who work closely with their client’s marketing directors to ensure the concepts are both current and on target for the client’s brand. The process involves lots of meetings and back and forth between the agency and client. Once the ad concept is fully realized and approved, the agency looks to hire a photographer whose work supports and hopefully elevates the concept to its maximum potential. My job as an image maker is to execute the creative vision beyond expectations and to provide the highest level of quality possible to all the elements in the production. Complex ads such as these often involve shooting many elements separately and then compositing them in Photoshop. This requires a lot of planning in order for the final image to be flawless. I have the advantage of being both the photographer and digital artist so my workflow is seamless and extremely efficient. I love challenging productions and resolving the issues surrounding sophisticated images.
The three images for Samsonite were selected for the 2015 Communication Arts Photo Annual to be published in July. The images were used across multiple product lines so the ads had to be shot and montaged in such a way that different pieces of luggage could be inserted into the hands of the circus performers.
What drew you to photographing not only the works of Ed Stilley, but the portraits of those using them? Did the spiritual aspect of the instruments intrigue you? The series of detailed instrument shots truly seems to capture such a story with each worn string and scratched or carved wooden surface.
Ed Stilley is one of the last homesteaders in Arkansas. He and his wife, Eliza, raised 5 children on the Christian Gospel and what they could grow in their hardscrabble garden or hunt and forage from the Ozark hills and hollows. In 1979, Mr. Stilley was faced with an insurmountable problem and prayed to God for an answer. God promised to take care of the problem and commanded Mr. Stilley to create instruments and give them away for free to the local girls and boys. He did so for 25 years until the strength in his hands gave out, creating approximately 200 instruments. When I heard about Mr. Stilley and his life’s work I knew I had found a personal project that would have a captivating story and allow me to expand my skills shooting both people and objects. With the help of many people we tracked down as many of the instruments as we could find. The result is a book called GIFTED - The instruments and Inspiration of Ed Stilley. The book is due out this fall.
What do you seek to capture in both your personal and commercial work? When choosing the final images to work with, what to you makes it stand out among the others?
My images have a clarity and crispness that strives to visually communicate information to excite the other senses. I want the viewer to feel the creamy smoothness of glass, hear the sound of foil crinkling, or to easily imagine the heat of direct sunlight. I try to simplify whatever I can so that the process is invisible and the subject remains the hero.
What inspires you on a daily basis?
Inspiration can be a fickle thing and certainly comes in varying degrees… For daily inspiration I would say I turn to my commitment as a professional artist to show up and do the work of a professional. I never feel like I “have” to do it, I’m always grateful that I “get” to do it. Practicing my craft and creating a prolific body of work is both a responsibility and a true pleasure.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists, successful artists and struggling artists?
Aspiring artists: By definition, you will only make student work if you remain a student.
Successful Artists: Gratitude and a humble heart bring the greatest joy.
Struggling Artists: No one ever heard of a starving plumber or a starving veterinarian. For an artist, however, it is a much different story. Develop a hobby to take your mind of the hunger. I suggest golf!
Of Tim’s vision, he writes, “Whether I am telling a story or presenting a piece of merchandise, my work is an organic union of what is dramatic, eloquent and heroic.“
On Get Fueled , Tim elucidates on his creative process:
- Garbage in, garbage out. Keep it simple.
- Don’t let perfect ruin good.
- Good food + good friends = good art.
- Trust your first choice. Go where others aren’t.
- Question authority. Stand for something important.
- Create a lot, show a little.
- Don’t take or give “no” for an answer.
- Show enthusiasm, even when you have none.
- Value loyalty and honesty. Take responsibility.
- Have integrity. Tell a story.
- Shatter the stereotype. Never pretend.
I believe these few phrases are all you need to know to be a successful creative. Whenever I get lost, one of these shows me the way back. They are not clichés, they are simple truths.
To view more of Tim’s work, head over to his site.