Studio Raath

The creative space is an extension of the artist.

I’m a studio junkie. If I could live here I would. Every day, I enjoy the space of creation in video, stop-motion, and most of all, photography. Focused on sweets, food, and product photography, I turn my concepts into visuals through my constant stream of personal work.

Michelle and I, both seasoned professionals in the film industry, joined forces to establish Skullpt Studio, a photographic & art studio. With Michelle's expertise as an artist and MUA and my background in Production Design and as a Steadicam™ operator, we bring a unique blend of skills, handling everything from concept development to execution.

Our Studio boasts a 100 m² dedicated studio floor, makeup stations, art space, workshop, and editing facilities. Our achievements include numerous awards and recognition in fine art and fashion photography.

I’d love to work with your agency to bring a vision to life. Contact me via WhatsApp or email and let’s get together.

My Background

My photography journey began at the age of thirteen when I received my first camera as a gift. Driven by this newfound love for visual storytelling, I pursued formal education in photography at Vaal University of Technology, later expanding my skills into motion picture studies at Pretoria Technikon. My academic journey culminated in 2007 when I earned a BA in Production Design from The South African School of Motion Picture Medium (AFDA).

During my studies, I seized every opportunity to gain hands-on experience. I worked as a photographic assistant and in art departments on film sets in Cape Town, immersing myself in the practical aspects of the industry. To further diversify my skill set, I trained as a Steadicam operator and camera operator, working on commercials and TV series in Johannesburg. These experiences provided invaluable insights into the technical and creative demands of visual storytelling.

What began in a garage, then as a modest 70 m² space has now flourished into a 250 m² creative hub, fully equipped to handle commercial photographic shoots. Our studio now caters to clients in the product, automotive, and beauty industries, while also allowing us to pursue personal projects that push the boundaries of our creativity and continually refine our skills.

My technical expertise, honed through years of diverse experience and my ability to capture a brand's essence, has been instrumental in my work with fashion and brand clients. This unique blend of skills, coupled with my enduring passion for photography and my varied professional background, positions me as a versatile and valuable asset in any photography role.

Awards

- MYTHOLOGY-INSPIRED Exhibition Selected Works 2024 (LOOSENART - MILLEPIANI, ROME, ITALY)

- Official Selection and Honorable Mention for "Suketchio Maiko" Category: Special Effects (IPA 2023)

- MIMESIS Exhibition Selected Works 2023 (LOOSENART - MILLEPIANI, ROME, ITALY)

- Filmfreeway Competition Winner February 2023 (ARTELLS MAGAZINE)

- BEST OF THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHERS 2022 (ONE EYELAND BOOK VOL.11)

- Top 10 Fine Art Photographers South Africa - Rank #1

- Silver - Conceptual - World’s Top 10 Fine Art Photo Contest 2022

- Bronze - Photo Manipulation - World’s Top 10 Fine Art Photo Contest 2022 (ONE EYELAND 2022)

- Top 10 Fashion Photographers South Africa - Rank #1

- Gold - Fine Art - World’s Top 10 Fashion Photo Contest 2022

- Silver - Personal Work - World’s Top 10 Fashion Photo Contest 2022 (ONE EYELAND 2022)

- Top 3% Art Photography 2022 Photographer (35 AWARDS)

- Top 1% Art Photography Contest (35 AWARDS)

- Honorable Mention (PX3 PRIX DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE PARIS, Juried Awards 2022)

Géran on Shutterdrag

I make moving photos.

Not video, well, yes I can do that too. What I mean is I create movement in my stills. If I had to choose one shutter speed for the rest of my life it would be 8 seconds.

Having the subject interact with time under light and then capturing that whole interaction is why I get up in the morning. I find it fascinating. Layering light in the scene, isolating a critical moment with flash, and painting an extended instance using movement is what I do best. Ironically, for a guy who makes a living with light, I spend a hell of a lot of time in the dark doing exactly this.

This is my first love of photography, and though not commercially viable, I constantly experiment with new techniques to become an expert at the forefront of long-exposure image-making.