HARETH TAYEM
Hareth Tayem is an Australian photographer with a beautiful soul who travels the world shooting for luxury clients and celebrities including Chanel, Gucci, Sienna Miller, Dior, & The Cannes Film Festival to name a few.
From a young age he was passionate about the industry and continues to share that drive to create beautiful cinematic work wherever he goes.
Greatest Inspirations Hareth?
I was a teenager in the 90’s, the age of the “Supermodel”, when Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen and Linda Evangelista graced the cover of every magazine, so living in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, I dreamt of being involved some way or another in the fashion industry.
By studying these fashion editorials I subconsciously absorbed the aesthetic of these incredible photographers and a passion was born. Photographers all brought something different to this moment in time;
the b&w contrast of Herb Ritts,
the voyeuristic approach of Helmut Newton,
the visually saturated and colourful story telling images of David LaChapelle have all shaped and influenced my work today.
Most interesting or memorable photoshoot so far?
I took a random and spontaneous solo trip to Romania for 10 days without knowing anyone except the fact that Transylvania / Romania was home to Dracula, a childhood fascination. After visiting and photographing his incredible castle, I decided to put together my own creative shoot at the active Mud Volcanoes in another part of Romania that has naturally made its way as a geographical wonder. Within three days I had put together a local team that consisted of a well known dress designer, a hair and make up artist and of course a stunning model. To this day the series of pictures from this shoot are still used in my folio with many clients commenting with praise.
What would be a dream project for you?
As cheesy as it may sound but I truly love photography and I just want to continue to do more of this, so "consistency & longevity" is my dream project.
Most interesting response to your work so far?
I have a “story- telling” brain. I see everything as a screenshot, a moment in a bigger picture. So I am surprised and beyond happy to hear when my work is described as “cinematic”. I try and avoid the“contrived” and “set up”.
Favorite websites, publications or social media handles?
I get inspiration and motivation from various visual mediums.
I find myself spiralling down a rabbit hole online from Pinterest to short fashion films to "the making of” various shoots and productions.
www.backstagefix.com gives me my reality fix of what happens behind the scenes.
Also, keep your eyes out for one of my dearest friends who taught me the first steps in Photography named Kristian Schmidt. To say this guy lives an insane life is an understatement, and he is currently in talks of creating his own reality show. A talented photographer working with the world's best talent and organisations to address our planet and its animals.
Fashion icons?
A fashion icon is one who sets the trend and not follows it out of a catalogue. The idea is to let your clothing be an extension of you. Regardless if your outgoing or an introvert, clothing ALWAYS looks better on those who feel perfect in them. No need to be someone else. Those days are done.
Anything else you would like to share?
My life and career might sound somewhat unrealistic to some. I met Claudia Schiffer at 18 who introduced me to my first model agent. I met Helena Christensen at 21 who got me to be an extra in a film as a bday Present. I met Cindy Crawford at a party and was photographed with her , I met Kate Moss upon arriving to London who’s connection got me the opportunity to shoot Sienna Miller in South Africa and met one of my photographer idols, David LaChapelle, who is now a close friend. I dreamt of these people, and here they were all playing vital and pivotal moments in my life and career. I can only credit the concept of determination and visual manifestation. My advice to anyone who asks me how to get to what I’m doing is : See it, believe it, attempt it as if you have everything and nothing to lose at the same time, and only then you will know if this is something you are meant to be doing. Worst case situation is you have crossed something off your list of things to do in life.
