Advertising specialist photographer returns after Africa odyssey
Award winning advertising photographer Jonathan May returns to Australia to open an exhibition of photographs from his six month trip to Africa.
Photography by Jonathan May
His work has been selected by hEAd oN as a finalist fir its Portrait Prize. His advertising photography work has been for clients as diverse as Snickers, Google, Sony, MTV, Lion Nathan, Vodafone, Telstra, Optus and Luna Park.
His photographs will be on display from 22 May at Sydney’s Queen Street Gallery.
May secured the trust of President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast, Prime Minister Raila Odinga of Kenya and the Criminal Investigation division in Mauritania, Botswana and South Africa to gain access to parts of Africa that he says are rarely seen or celebrated.
May said his intention was to capture the warmth of the continent, with respect and admiration for its cultures.
“It is refreshing to see a story of Africa that feels more celebratory than exploitative. We become students, soaking in the beauty, gazing into these people's lives, learning and engaging on a human level,” he said.
He has announced he is now returning to advertising work in Australia.