Biographies
The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay.
RANKIN
www.rankin.co.uk
Guillermo Cervera www.guillermocervera.photoshelter.com
Carmen Ballve www.carmenballve.com
Apratim Saha
www.apratimsaha.com
Amit Sha’al
www.amitshaal.com
Amit Sha'al (b. 1974) is an Israeli photographer based in Tel Aviv and working as staff
photographer on Calcalist.
He also works as an independent photographer on long and short term documentary projects
through which Sha'al communicates a personal and intimate version of what is seen.
His photographs have been featured in major magazines and newspapers in Israel and
abroad. His photographs have received awards in various competitions, including the
"World Press Photo" exhibition in 2011 and Series of the Year in "Local Testimony",
Israel's press photo exhibition.
Sha'al has had solo exhibitions in Israel and Ireland and has participated in numerous
group exhibitions.
Apratim started photography at the age of twelve, inspired by his father. Traveling the
world as a photographer for National Geographic Magazine was his dream from childhood.
He says that capturing images that people enjoy to look at and are impressed with has not
only inspired him to take up photography seriously but to give people a reason to care was
the main intension for him.
Being the senior executive of a pharmaceutical company in Kolkata, he finds very little
time to enjoy his dream of photojournalism which is now enriched with more than 20 years
of experience in this field of art. This has however not stopped his works from being
published in many magazines, newspapers and websites including online publications of
various humanitarian, educational religious organizations.
Recently Apratim became a member of National Geographic Stock Photography and Getty
Images.
RAX
All of our advertising is certified by Google and therefore may be viewed safely.
Leandro Sanchez
Olivier Laban-Mattei www.labanmattei.photoshelter.com
Photographer and director, Rankin, lives and works in North London. Over the last 22 years
he has earned a reputation for his exceptional portraiture and is repeatedly commissioned
for global advertising campaigns, editorial features and is exhibited in galleries around the
world. As a director, he frequently shoots music videos, commercials and documentaries as
well as directing an award-winning feature film, The Lives of the Saints.
Having spent much of his time during the last few years in LA, Rankin finally fulfilled a
personal ambition, to exhibit his own work here, by opening the RANKIN Gallery on Melrose
Avenue in May 2011.
Working in association with the Fahey/Klein Gallery, this new space will showcase personal
collections of work to inquisitive LA residents and visitors. For the next two years, a full range
of work, including both photography and film will be on display in this progressive and
creative city.
Rankin says: I have always loved LA – like so many photographers and directors, it has a strong pull for me. It is the
unquestionable and true home of the industry I work in. The light, space and dynamic landscapes in and around the city
make it the best place in the world to shoot. I am excited to finally have a base here.
Guillermo Cervera is a freelance photographer with over 18 years of experience documenting
armed conflict and social issues for the international press. His work has taken him from the
frontlines of Bosnia in 1993, to the uprises in Libya and Cairo, Egypt in 2011, from rebel
camps in Chad, to photographing gang wars in Caracas, Venezuela and the Tamil Tigers
separatist militant group during the Sri Lanka Civil War in 2008. He has covered refugees
and IDPs in Darfur, the rise of capitalism in communist Cuba, methamphetamine addition
in southern Washington, D.C., American gospel churches and European Arms dealers.
Cervera has worked primarily in the Peshwar region since 2008. He is currently based in
Kabul, Afghanistan, where he is working unembedded on longterm projects on the daily life
of the Taliban, and the economic force of the Western arms market. His photographs are
regularly published in Marie Claire, The Guardian, La Vanguardia, ABC and El Mundo,
among others, and have been exhibited in galleries in Madrid and
Barcelona.
Carmen Ballvé was born in Madrid, Spain.
In 1981 she graduated in Pedagogy and Eduacation Science by Universidad Complutense of
Madrid. She studied photography at ICP, New York (International Center of Photography )
between 1982 and 1984, where she graduated in General Studies and Documentary
Photography.
She has collaborated in numerous Spanish newspapers and magazines. Her work has been
exhibited in New York and Madrid. After living in New York, she moved in 1998 to the
Dominican Republic. Since 2002 she has developed the photographic project "Batey" and a
Documentary video "Batey Mosquito".
In 2008 she moved to London with her family where she works as a freelance photographer
collaborating with different projects such as documenting the Wagogo in Tanzania and The
Denan Project in Ethiopia, Perú and Burkina Faso.
Ragnar Axelsson. Born in Iceland 1958
RAX has worked for Morgunbladid, Iceland's biggest newspaper from 1976 and as a
freelance shooting shooting projects in various parts of the world for numerous magazines
and agencies.
He has had his work published in:
LIFE, National Geographic, Le Figaro, Stern, La Vanguardia, TIME, to name a few.
The Golden Circle. Photographs by Páll Stefánsson, Ragnar Axelsson and Mats Wibe-Lund.
Reykjavík: Iceland Review, 1989.
Reykjavik. A book in color. (Icelandic) (English)
Faces and figures: Contemporary Scandinavian photography. New York: American
Scandinavian Foundation, 2001.
Through the vastness near Snæfell by Ólafsson, Guðmundur Páll has photographs by
Axelsson and also Friðþjófur Helgason and Jóhann Ísberg.
Faces of the North, a book on vanishing lifestyles in the North Atlantic; Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, 2004.
AWARDS:
The Annual Icelandic Photojournalists Awards (Est. 1991): More that 20 awards,
including Photographer of the year, four times, and Documentary story of the year, six times.
The Oskar Barnack Award, 2001. Honourable Mention
Festival Photo de Mare, Vannes, Grand Prix.
http://repertoriumfilms.prosite.com/1072/gallery
www.rax.is
Olivier Laban-Mattei was born in 1977 in Paris. After studying geography and sociology, he
turned to a career as a photojournalist. He started in Corsica in 1999 where he became the
correspondent of Agence France-Presse. In 2005, he joined the AFP's staff in Paris.
Therefore, he covers the major events of the last 6 years. From Iraq to Gaza, the revolt in
Iran to the deadly cyclone in Burma, he tries to understand the survival mechanisms of
civilian victims of wars or natural disasters. At the same time, he participates in many
conferences and debates around these issues, mainly with young people and students.
In 2010, he decided to quit AFP and became a freelance photographer in order to work on
long-term personal projects. He has exhibitions in many places including Gijon, Bastia,
Tbilisi, Arles, Paris. Still in 2010, the International Photojournalism Festival "Visa pour l'Image"
from Perpignan organized a retrospective on his years of reporting. He participated in the
creation of the Agency NEUS with whom he currently works. For three consecutive years, in
2009, 2010 and 2011, he won a World Press Photo Award. The last one was on his report
on the earthquake in Haiti, where he received the first prize in the category "General News
Story". While continuing to cover some major world events for the press, he is currently
working on the earthquake's trauma on the Haitian people, and other projects.
AWARDS:
2006, 1st prize / Paris-Match award
2007, Bendrihem's 1st prize for the best European political photo
2009, World Press Photo, 3rd prize story in General News category
2009, Special award from the Jury of the international festival of photojournalism of Gijon
2010, Pictures of the year international (POYi), 2nd Prize
2010, Pictures of the year international (POYi), Award of excellence
2010, Special award from the Jury / Days Japan
?2010, World Press Photo, 2nd Prize story in Spot News category
2010, Fotoweek DC, 3rd Prize - Series-Photojournalism/Social Documentary
2010, Bayeux award for war correspondents, 2nd prize
2010, 1st prize / Paris-Match award
2011, World Press Photo, 1st prize story in General News category
http://repertoriumfilms.prosite.com/1074/about-me
Leandro Sanchez, partner in Repertorium Films in NYC, is a fine art photographer as well
as an international Director of commercials and narrative film; he has directed numerous
advertising campaigns and commercials worldwide, including spots for clients such as:
Samsung, Telefonica, Movistar, Procter & Gamble, Pantech, Qwest Telecom, Partnership f
or a Drug Free America, and many more. Leandro's visual-storytelling has earned him
collaborations with such global agencies as FCB, Young & Rubicam, Leo Burnett, TBWA,
DDB, SMC-Group, Cheil, Chattem/USA, etc. In addition, Leandro's commercial work has
been featured twice in Boards magazine, and has been an official selection of Cannes Cyber
Lions. He is represented by numerous companies around the globe as a Director.
The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay.
RANKIN
www.rankin.co.uk
Guillermo Cervera www.guillermocervera.photoshelter.com
Carmen Ballve www.carmenballve.com
Apratim Saha
www.apratimsaha.com
Amit Sha’al
www.amitshaal.com
Amit Sha'al (b. 1974) is an Israeli photographer based in Tel Aviv and working as staff
photographer on Calcalist.
He also works as an independent photographer on long and short term documentary projects
through which Sha'al communicates a personal and intimate version of what is seen.
His photographs have been featured in major magazines and newspapers in Israel and
abroad. His photographs have received awards in various competitions, including the
"World Press Photo" exhibition in 2011 and Series of the Year in "Local Testimony",
Israel's press photo exhibition.
Sha'al has had solo exhibitions in Israel and Ireland and has participated in numerous
group exhibitions.
Apratim started photography at the age of twelve, inspired by his father. Traveling the
world as a photographer for National Geographic Magazine was his dream from childhood.
He says that capturing images that people enjoy to look at and are impressed with has not
only inspired him to take up photography seriously but to give people a reason to care was
the main intension for him.
Being the senior executive of a pharmaceutical company in Kolkata, he finds very little
time to enjoy his dream of photojournalism which is now enriched with more than 20 years
of experience in this field of art. This has however not stopped his works from being
published in many magazines, newspapers and websites including online publications of
various humanitarian, educational religious organizations.
Recently Apratim became a member of National Geographic Stock Photography and Getty
Images.
RAX
All of our advertising is certified by Google and therefore may be viewed safely.
Leandro Sanchez
Olivier Laban-Mattei www.labanmattei.photoshelter.com
Photographer and director, Rankin, lives and works in North London. Over the last 22 years
he has earned a reputation for his exceptional portraiture and is repeatedly commissioned
for global advertising campaigns, editorial features and is exhibited in galleries around the
world. As a director, he frequently shoots music videos, commercials and documentaries as
well as directing an award-winning feature film, The Lives of the Saints.
Having spent much of his time during the last few years in LA, Rankin finally fulfilled a
personal ambition, to exhibit his own work here, by opening the RANKIN Gallery on Melrose
Avenue in May 2011.
Working in association with the Fahey/Klein Gallery, this new space will showcase personal
collections of work to inquisitive LA residents and visitors. For the next two years, a full range
of work, including both photography and film will be on display in this progressive and
creative city.
Rankin says: I have always loved LA – like so many photographers and directors, it has a strong pull for me. It is the
unquestionable and true home of the industry I work in. The light, space and dynamic landscapes in and around the city
make it the best place in the world to shoot. I am excited to finally have a base here.
Guillermo Cervera is a freelance photographer with over 18 years of experience documenting
armed conflict and social issues for the international press. His work has taken him from the
frontlines of Bosnia in 1993, to the uprises in Libya and Cairo, Egypt in 2011, from rebel
camps in Chad, to photographing gang wars in Caracas, Venezuela and the Tamil Tigers
separatist militant group during the Sri Lanka Civil War in 2008. He has covered refugees
and IDPs in Darfur, the rise of capitalism in communist Cuba, methamphetamine addition
in southern Washington, D.C., American gospel churches and European Arms dealers.
Cervera has worked primarily in the Peshwar region since 2008. He is currently based in
Kabul, Afghanistan, where he is working unembedded on longterm projects on the daily life
of the Taliban, and the economic force of the Western arms market. His photographs are
regularly published in Marie Claire, The Guardian, La Vanguardia, ABC and El Mundo,
among others, and have been exhibited in galleries in Madrid and
Barcelona.
Carmen Ballvé was born in Madrid, Spain.
In 1981 she graduated in Pedagogy and Eduacation Science by Universidad Complutense of
Madrid. She studied photography at ICP, New York (International Center of Photography )
between 1982 and 1984, where she graduated in General Studies and Documentary
Photography.
She has collaborated in numerous Spanish newspapers and magazines. Her work has been
exhibited in New York and Madrid. After living in New York, she moved in 1998 to the
Dominican Republic. Since 2002 she has developed the photographic project "Batey" and a
Documentary video "Batey Mosquito".
In 2008 she moved to London with her family where she works as a freelance photographer
collaborating with different projects such as documenting the Wagogo in Tanzania and The
Denan Project in Ethiopia, Perú and Burkina Faso.
Ragnar Axelsson. Born in Iceland 1958
RAX has worked for Morgunbladid, Iceland's biggest newspaper from 1976 and as a
freelance shooting shooting projects in various parts of the world for numerous magazines
and agencies.
He has had his work published in:
LIFE, National Geographic, Le Figaro, Stern, La Vanguardia, TIME, to name a few.
The Golden Circle. Photographs by Páll Stefánsson, Ragnar Axelsson and Mats Wibe-Lund.
Reykjavík: Iceland Review, 1989.
Reykjavik. A book in color. (Icelandic) (English)
Faces and figures: Contemporary Scandinavian photography. New York: American
Scandinavian Foundation, 2001.
Through the vastness near Snæfell by Ólafsson, Guðmundur Páll has photographs by
Axelsson and also Friðþjófur Helgason and Jóhann Ísberg.
Faces of the North, a book on vanishing lifestyles in the North Atlantic; Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, 2004.
AWARDS:
The Annual Icelandic Photojournalists Awards (Est. 1991): More that 20 awards,
including Photographer of the year, four times, and Documentary story of the year, six times.
The Oskar Barnack Award, 2001. Honourable Mention
Festival Photo de Mare, Vannes, Grand Prix.
http://repertoriumfilms.prosite.com/1072/gallery
www.rax.is
Olivier Laban-Mattei was born in 1977 in Paris. After studying geography and sociology, he
turned to a career as a photojournalist. He started in Corsica in 1999 where he became the
correspondent of Agence France-Presse. In 2005, he joined the AFP's staff in Paris.
Therefore, he covers the major events of the last 6 years. From Iraq to Gaza, the revolt in
Iran to the deadly cyclone in Burma, he tries to understand the survival mechanisms of
civilian victims of wars or natural disasters. At the same time, he participates in many
conferences and debates around these issues, mainly with young people and students.
In 2010, he decided to quit AFP and became a freelance photographer in order to work on
long-term personal projects. He has exhibitions in many places including Gijon, Bastia,
Tbilisi, Arles, Paris. Still in 2010, the International Photojournalism Festival "Visa pour l'Image"
from Perpignan organized a retrospective on his years of reporting. He participated in the
creation of the Agency NEUS with whom he currently works. For three consecutive years, in
2009, 2010 and 2011, he won a World Press Photo Award. The last one was on his report
on the earthquake in Haiti, where he received the first prize in the category "General News
Story". While continuing to cover some major world events for the press, he is currently
working on the earthquake's trauma on the Haitian people, and other projects.
AWARDS:
2006, 1st prize / Paris-Match award
2007, Bendrihem's 1st prize for the best European political photo
2009, World Press Photo, 3rd prize story in General News category
2009, Special award from the Jury of the international festival of photojournalism of Gijon
2010, Pictures of the year international (POYi), 2nd Prize
2010, Pictures of the year international (POYi), Award of excellence
2010, Special award from the Jury / Days Japan
?2010, World Press Photo, 2nd Prize story in Spot News category
2010, Fotoweek DC, 3rd Prize - Series-Photojournalism/Social Documentary
2010, Bayeux award for war correspondents, 2nd prize
2010, 1st prize / Paris-Match award
2011, World Press Photo, 1st prize story in General News category
http://repertoriumfilms.prosite.com/1074/about-me
Leandro Sanchez, partner in Repertorium Films in NYC, is a fine art photographer as well
as an international Director of commercials and narrative film; he has directed numerous
advertising campaigns and commercials worldwide, including spots for clients such as:
Samsung, Telefonica, Movistar, Procter & Gamble, Pantech, Qwest Telecom, Partnership f
or a Drug Free America, and many more. Leandro's visual-storytelling has earned him
collaborations with such global agencies as FCB, Young & Rubicam, Leo Burnett, TBWA,
DDB, SMC-Group, Cheil, Chattem/USA, etc. In addition, Leandro's commercial work has
been featured twice in Boards magazine, and has been an official selection of Cannes Cyber
Lions. He is represented by numerous companies around the globe as a Director.