WOMEN IN PHOTO & FILM 2025 Mar 2025

Alley Rutzel's background in film and her strong interest in narrative storytelling has inspired a cinematic approach to her photography. She covers a variety of genres including travel, adventure, and portraiture, and is equally adept at capturing spontaneous moments on location as well as carefully planned ideas in the studio. Intellectually curious and exceedingly adventurous, Alley always challenges herself to see beyond the obvious and provide a unique perspective that connects with its intended audience.

Alley is based in Seattle and New York City, and works worldwide. When not on assignment, Alley pursues personal photography projects and is furthering her desire to acquire as many skills as James Bond – most recently, she earned her motorcycle license and became SCUBA certified.

Bireau’s artistic vision is a fusion of vivid imagery and dreamlike storytelling, where surrealism meets nostalgia and humour. Her work blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination, weaving narratives that delve into themes of diversity, feminism, and human connection.

With a background in visual design and art direction, she has contributed to an array of creative projects, from fashion campaigns and editorial work to storyboards, film props, music branding, murals, and clothing. She is often involved throughout the entire creative process, from concept development to final execution.

An illustrator with a holistic approach to creativity, she is based in Berlin and collaborates with international agencies and brands, including Campari, Cosentino, Disney, Facebook, JustCavalli, Mixmag, Pitti Immagine, Salone del Mobile, Sony, Unilever, Universal, and Wired.

Brogan McNab is a recognised Canadian photographer, known for her range of skilful direction encompassing work within studio to demanding on location environments.

Specialising in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle imagery, Brogan’s portfolio caters to a wide range of clients globally. Feeling a deep importance to create an environment of collaboration to bring visions to life, she communicates in a way that inspires energy and emotional vulnerability that extends far beyond the lens.

Brogan’s distinctive approach and ability to capture bold, poignant narratives, create powerful imagery across both editorial and commercial projects.

London-based photographer Charlie Goodge brings her expertise to life through bold, vibrant and timeless imagery with a striking yet intimate approach. Specialising in still life, drinks, and interiors she has honed her craft, seamlessly combining industry expertise, creativity and a unique vision to every brief.

Inspired by the beauty of everyday objects, Charlie challenges conventional perspectives crafting atmospheric, imaginative and colourful visuals that resonate with viewers. Her ability to balance lighting and a keen eye for detail ensures each image represents the brand’s story.

Clients include Sainsbury’s, M&S, Freddie’s Flowers, Bluebella, Amazon, Graphenstone, Luca Faloni, La Prairie, Laura Ashley, New Balance and many more.

Her work has also featured in publications including Grazia and Grazia Casa, Sunday Times Style, Rake's Progress and Conde Nast Traveller.

For more of Charlie’s work follow her on Instagram or check out her website.

Charné Baird is a Canadian commercial beverage photographer with over ten years of experience. With a background in culinary arts, she specialises in creating captivating visuals for beverage brands worldwide. Known for her meticulous attention to detail, technical expertise, and creativity, Charné produces high-impact imagery for campaigns, product launches, and more.

Her work spans food, beverage, product, and stop motion photography, creating visuals that bring food and beverage brands to life. Charné’s collaborative approach ensures that every project is tailored to the brand’s unique goals, delivering engaging images that align with marketing strategies.

Denice Hough is a renowned American photographer specialising in architecture and interior design. With a keen eye for detail, she captures a wide range of subjects, from expansive shopping malls and hotels to intimate residential spaces. Her work is characterised by her passion for clean lines and symmetry. In addition to her commercial work, Denice has a deep affinity for photographing abandoned spaces, finding beauty in their decay and the unique allure of the story behind each image she brings to life.

Throughout her career, Denice has collaborated with high-end architects and interior designers, while also dedicating time to personal projects. She captures these abandoned locations and sells them as fine art. With several successful gallery exhibitions in Hong Kong, Denice continues to explore both the professional and artistic facets of her craft.

Doris Thompson is a talented photographer based in Vancouver, specialising in fashion, lifestyle, and portraiture.

With a deep understanding of human emotion and a keen eye for beauty, her photographs tell stories that resonate deeply with audiences. Known for her warm and personable approach, she effortlessly connects with her subjects, creating a comfortable and collaborative environment that brings out the best in everyone. As a skilled director, she guides each shoot with a gentle yet confident hand, coaxing authentic expressions and moments that feel both natural and extraordinary.

Her photography is designed to create an emotional connection with viewers, perfect for advertising campaigns seeking to build a strong brand narrative. Whether through the intimacy of portraiture, the dynamism of fashion, or the authenticity of lifestyle photography, she crafts images that inspire and connect. With a published portfolio that speaks to her artistry, she helps brands convey their unique vision and style, capturing the essence of their story in a way that resonates with their audience.

In honor of Women’s Month, our selection of images from Ella Sophie’s portfolio tells a story of strength, diversity, and empowerment. Rooted in feminism, Ella’s approach to portraiture rejects the male gaze, ensuring that her work portrays women as multifaceted and powerful. Whether creating conceptual personal work, private commissions, editorial images, or advertising campaigns, her guiding principle remains the same: women are inspirational, empowered, and dynamic.

Ella’s empowering portraiture has been published in WIRED Magazine, Vogue India, Forbes, and The New York Times. Her clients range from eco-conscious brands like ECOS to ambitious women in politics, business, and the arts.

“While the past few years have seen some wonderful gains in how women are viewed in advertising there is still a long way to go. And that progress is being met with some serious pushback. My drive is unwavering. I will continue to create portraits that inspire, captivate, and empower viewers to embrace a meaningful lifestyle. I’m endlessly grateful for every commercial client who is bold enough to help take this movement forward.”

Ella Sophie is a photographer and art director based in the San Francisco Bay Area. See more of her work at her website.

Hannah Bichay successfully works in various fields of photography. She enjoys the diversity—on one hand, she loves working with people, bringing a good spirit and a positive atmosphere to the set, and using her enthusiasm and empathy to bring out the best in everyone in front of the camera. On the other hand, she enjoys perfecting elaborate lighting for composing and still-life shots.

But her true passion is outdoor photography. Thanks to her second home in the Swiss Alps, she frequently gets the opportunity to combine her love for outdoor sports and nature with her photography, allowing her to work in exciting locations, sometimes under challenging conditions.

In the male-dominated world of outdoor photography she has to contend with prejudices and prove herself. Her work not only showcases the beauty of nature but also highlights the resilience and determination it takes to thrive in a field where women are still in the minority.

Isabella Hoffmann, born in 1985 in southern Germany, now calls Berlin home. She is a talented director specialising in documentaries. Her series debut, 'Animals Army', a Joyn Original, was created in close collaboration with the renowned production company X-Filme Creative Pool.

Alongside her work as a filmmaker, Isabella has been making waves in the advertising world as a high-end retoucher for over ten years. Her films blend modern and classic photography in a unique way. With her directorial style, she strikes just the right note – emotional, powerful, and with a distinctive closeness to the people she brings to life on screen.

Jhenyfy Muller is a dynamic fashion filmmaker, video editor, and creative director. She has worked with top global brands like Vogue, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, Schön Magazine, Bloomingdales, Dior, L'Officiel, Mac Cosmetics, Cartier, and more.

In 2021, she snagged nominations at LFFF for Best Music Video with Underwater and Best Cinematography with her Vogue short film, 'The Great Escapade'. In 2022, she took home an award at the London Fashion Film Festival for her film 'Wanted'. In 2023, Jhenyfy was honored at the ASVOFF Film Festival in Paris with awards for Best Art Direction and Best Styling for her film 'I Remember My Dream', and also received nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Editing at LFFF for 'The Past Imperfect of Time'.

With over 15 years in the fashion industry, Jhenyfy studied film editing at the University of Arts London (UAL) and the London Film Academy. She splits her time between London and Vienna, bringing her unique creative vision to both cities. She's also part of SALOON London, a professional network for women in the arts, and a member of Models.com.

Madeline McCormick is a fashion photographer based in Sydney, known for her ability to merge visual artistry with storytelling.

Specialising in fashion and editorial photography, her diverse portfolio reflects her distinctive approach to using fashion as a powerful narrative tool.

Recent projects include a fashion editorial set against the stunning backdrop of Positano, Italy. She is also featured in the February 2025 issue of Classic Boat UK, a noteworthy accomplishment that highlights her expanding presence in the industry.

Madeline’s work resonates with a global audience, and she is set to capture British fashion for Classic Boat UK at Cowes Classic Week 2025.

With a keen eye for creativity and artistic vision, she continues to hone her craft, earning recognition within the international fashion community.

Maxine is a food and product photographer with a talent for transforming everyday objects into visual art.

Her passion for photography stems from a deep love of creativity and attention to detail. She has carved out a niche in the competitive world of advertising and commercial photography, earning recognition from the One Eyeland, Foodelia International, and IPA awards—proof of her ability to bring products to life through striking imagery.

When she’s not behind the camera, Maxine enjoys skiing down snow-covered slopes, camping under the stars, and exploring the great outdoors. These adventures serve as a reset button, fuelling her creativity and offering fresh perspectives that often find their way into her photography.

Silvia Campagna is an Italian creative art director and fashion stylist specialising in luxury and fashion visual communication. She is represented by MMG Artists in the UAE market.

As a fashion stylist, she collaborates on lookbooks, digital and PR campaigns, editorials, and advertorials for leading fashion magazines and global brands. As a creative art director, Silvia manages branding, marketing, and PR projects, overseeing moodboarding, storytelling, style guides, and omnichannel content creation. Her expertise ensures seamless coordination between creative vision and production execution. She is currently the in-house art director for the footwear brand Empress Australia.

Her portfolio includes collaborations with Vogue, Marie Claire, Numéro, GQ Style, Elle, L’Officiel, Spring Studios, M&C Saatchi, and Ginori 1735.

With a strong presence in the fashion, luxury, and advertising industries, performing her two roles either separately or together, Silvia Campagna crafts compelling brand narratives through innovative visual storytelling and strategic creative direction.

For more information, visit Silvia's website, and follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Tanja Häring studied camera and film at the University of Applied Sciences for Design in Dortmund and the renowned Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. Her work has won multiple awards, including the German Camera Award.

She is a pro at creating powerful, atmospheric images—not only as a cinematographer but also as a directing DP. For her, the camera is a creative tool that helps bring fresh, exciting stories to life.

Tanja works across all genres, bringing her unique, modern style to every project. She is especially passionate about photographing people and sharing their stories—and she loves travelling the world to do just that.

She is currently based in Berlin.

Francesca is a skilled food and still life photographer with her own studio in Milan.

She works with the main design and advertising agencies in the Italian market and is considered a creative, reliable and enthusiastic partner. Her goal is to achieve maximum customer satisfaction through a continuous, strenuous and shared research for beauty, which leads her to always explore different visual languages and test her comfort zone. In addition to her photographic technique, she boasts excellent interpersonal skills that make the work pleasant and extremely cohesive for the entire production team.

Among her clients: Barilla Group, Gelati Sammontana, Consorzio Franciacorta, Viru Group, Bolton Group, Mondelēz Italy.

We’re proud to celebrate Flint, a female-led production company co-founded by EP Rachel Henderson and her husband, Andreas Smetana. Together, they’ve built Flint into a company where everyone feels seen and heard—regardless of gender.

Backed by a powerhouse team of diverse producers—Belle Oliva, Petra Valent, and Christina Lamont—Flint produces exceptional photography campaigns, film, and multi-platform content.

"As a company led by women, we’re deeply committed to championing female voices, both in front of and behind the camera. We believe in fostering an industry where women producers, photographers and creatives from all sides of production have the space to lead, innovate, and redefine storytelling on their terms.

We love that Production Paradise is celebrating not just the women of Flint, but all the fearless women shaping the future of production. Here’s to strong leadership, bold ideas, and a future where creativity knows no gender."

At the heart of France Production are three remarkable women. Founder France Olicard, a French-born perfectionist, fell in love with Cape Town and established France Production to deliver world-class service to this vibrant city and beyond. Simone Barnes, France’s right hand at the company, has a keen eye for talent and storytelling, thriving on bringing ideas to life with passion and dedication. Lastly, Leigh Pienaar, the production coordinator, fosters strong and efficient relationships with suppliers through her warmth and friendly nature.

Together, they are committed to creating extraordinary work.

France Production’s dedicated team is always ready to capture the magic of South Africa. Renowned for their eco-friendly practices and meticulous attention to detail, they ensure flawless execution on every project—whether working to tight deadlines or orchestrating grand productions.

For your next campaign, trust France Production to bring Cape Town’s magic to life for you.

FUZE Reps is a women-owned and operated, full-service management and production agency representing award-winning photographers, directors and CGI artists.

Here are just some of the talents that Fuze Represents:

Maya: Maya Visnyei has over a decade of experience creating vibrant, sensory images that bring food, products, and people to life. Her expertise in motion and lighting crafts dynamic narratives, connecting audiences to brands through authentic and evocative storytelling.

Ashley: Immerse yourself in Ashley van der Laan's captivating world of food and still life photography. Her classically trained eye and refined technique transform fleeting moments into timeless art. Experience the magic as she weaves color, movement, and composition into stunning visual narratives.

Raina: Raina Kirn's photography career began at eight with a Kodak camera gift. Inspired by National Geographic, she now co-leads Raina+Wilson, crafting compelling stories through imagery with a unique blend of passion and creative flair.

Geneviève: Geneviève Charbonneau’s vibrant energy and artistry make her a powerhouse in Canadian photography. Trusted by icons like Janet Jackson and Meghan Markle, her work graces Vogue Italia and beyond—where authenticity meets undeniable talent, magic happens.

Michelle Leo Agency is a premiere women-owned boutique artist agency with offices in New York City and Miami.

Founded by industry veteran Michelle Leo, whose career spans over 20 years, the agency represents an exquisite roster of elite photographers, directors, makeup artists, hairstylists, fashion stylists, creative consultants, prop stylists, and manicurists who are recognised for redefining excellence in fashion, beauty, celebrity, commercial, and advertising, consistently delivering groundbreaking, unforgettable work.

With an unwavering commitment to excellence, the agency cultivates enduring partnerships with its talent, providing strategic guidance to shape their growth and solidify their contributions in the industry. Michelle Leo Agency's unique approach ensures each client is paired with the perfect creative team, seamlessly bringing visions to life—whether for a landmark editorial, a luxury brand campaign, or an exclusive celebrity collaboration.

"At Michelle Leo Agency, our artists are the cornerstone of our success. Each artist brings unparalleled vision, expertise, and professionalism to their craft, pushing boundaries and creating work that inspires and influences across industries and cultures. We are honored to represent such extraordinary talent and to collaborate with them in shaping the future of creativity."

As a proud female-owned and female-led company, NM Productions believes in fostering diverse talent, pushing boundaries and delivering exceptional work. They break free from traditional methods, adjusting their production approach to suit your needs across budgets of all shapes and sizes.

NM Productions is here to deliver, from full-scale productions, mobilising event crews for content capture, to finding the perfect location for your project. They’re passionate about creating opportunities, mentoring the next generation of filmmakers and supporting initiatives that promote equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the industry.

NM has enjoyed working with renowned brands such as Adidas, Hugo Boss, Karen Millen, Pepsi, and more. Their talented photographers and directors have also collaborated with esteemed clients like Porsche, Dior, Vogue, and others.

To explore more about NM’s talented directors, photographers, and DOPs, and to view their showreels, click here.

Style Department was founded by Rosana McPhee, a passionate food and drink industry advocate. With years of experience as a photographic agent and producer, she saw the need for an agency that blends creativity with professionalism—and so, Style Department was born.

"We collaborate with the best food stylists, prop and set stylists, and commercial photographers to create visually stunning content for advertising, editorials, and digital media. Our food stylists make dishes look irresistible, while our prop and set stylists craft the perfect visual atmosphere to bring every scene to life.

At Style Department, high standards drive everything we do. We deliver exceptional results for our clients every single time.

Looking for expert food stylists, props and set stylists to elevate your next project? Let’s make something extraordinary together!

View our work in the website, and follow Style Department on Instagram and LinkedIn."