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‘I have always preferred the minimal approach to portrait work and like to connect with artists on
a communicative level to truly bring out their essence as an artist’.

Ian Laidlaw has been photographing musicians since 2003, building a portfolio that features both Australian and global music royalty. Starting in Wollongong and Sydney, Ian honed his craft by shooting live performances, quickly establishing himself as an official photographer for major Australian festivals like Splendour, Falls, and Laneway. After relocating to Melbourne in 2010, he’s become a sought-after creative in the Australian music industry, known for capturing the raw essence of musicians during live performances, behind the scenes, and in studio portraits.

His images are romantic, emotive, and highly engaging, featuring an incredible collection of portraits of artists, comedians and musicians. Ian’s one-on-one portrait sessions and commissions have seen him work with renowned artists like Celine Dion, Leon Bridges, Courtney Barnett, Tash Sultana, Gang of Youths, Childish Gambino, and Glass Animals, to name a few. His work is truly evocative, blending contemporary style with a sense of nostalgia and temporality. Much like the music of the artists he photographs, Ian’s images evoke a sense of a time and place. His work has been published globally, including in Rolling Stone and NME. For Ian, the true joy of his work lies in capturing the holistic process of an artist, from writing to performing, which continues to draw him back to the studio for portrait work.

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