Though most photographers’ have a love / hate relationship with Getty Images, Getty has a huge collection and more importantly a huge reach to existing and potential customers. Getty continues to license imagery of mine, which I know I wouldn’t be able to license myself, for the simple fact that I can’t connect with the diversity of buyers the way Getty does.

The iceberg photo was licensed via Getty Images as a Rights Managed license. The two vertical photos were licensed via Aurora Photos for inclusion in a book coming out in 2011 on luxury hotels. Once it is published, I can provide more details.

Water, waves and ice, Cierva Cove, Davis Coast, Graham Land, Antarctica, on the 18 November 2008. Click on the image to license it.

Portrait of Mauritian Guest Relations Manager Barbara Porydor at Shangri-La Resort, Villingili Island, Addu (Seenu) Atoll, Maldives, on the 31 January 2010.

Thatch covered outdoor lounge, Shangri-La Resort, Villingili Island, Addu (Seenu) Atoll, Maldives, on the 1 February 2010. Click on the image to license it.

Related Posts:

Processing, Processing, Processing

Vintage Stock Photography – The Way it Used To Be

—–

If you have stayed at Huvafen Fushi Resort and would like to purchase one of my images as a print, please:

- Browse this gallery of Huvafen Fushi Resort Images.

- Note down the Image Name of the photo you would like as a print.

- Email me – info [at] thomaspickard [dot] com - to arrange payment and your preferred shipping address.

Huvafen Fushi Prints ship in three sizes

- 12 x 18 inches ($199 US)

- 16 x 24 inches ($299 US)

- 20 x 30 inches ($399 US)

Shipping is generally an additional $25-$40 US depending on your location.

If you would like a different size, just email me to discuss your requirements!

As a working photographer, I stand by the quality of my work. If you aren’t happy with your print when you receive it, I’ll refund your money.

—–

Published in Bangkok Airways Fah Thai Magazine, 1st September 2010.

I don’t know why, but I still get a kick out of seeing my work in print. Especially when the design team produces such a great layout.

The article is about Huvafen Fushi resort in the Maldives and some of the unique design aspects of it. The images I produced in a quick day-a-half visit earlier in the year.

I won’t lie to you – Huvafen Fushi resort is one of my favourite resorts in the Maldives (and no, I don’t get paid to say that!).

Why you might ask?

Well, here are a few things that I love about the place:

1. I proposed to my wife in a private overwater plunge pool looking out over the ocean on a postcard perfect day back in 2006 (read: strong emotional connection).

2. Everything about the resort, from the overwater bungalows to the infinity pool, to the shaded lounge on the beach, to the hammocks under the tree are just right (read: the ying-yang of Huvafen is spot on).

3. Huvafen is big enough not to feel crowded and small enough to feel totally secluded (read: perfect sized tropical island resort).

4. The staff are just good, friendly people who don’t mind having a chat (read: approachable).

5. The food at any of the three restaurants is amazing. Ditto for the service.

And last of all, Huvafen Fushi Resort is about 35-minutes by speed boat transfer from Male’ International Airport, yet the resorts location makes you feel like you are in a remote corner of the Maldives. It just doesn’t get much better than that.

Related Posts:

Buy a Print of Huvafen Fushi Resort in the Maldives.

Huvafen Fushi Resort, Maldives

—–

School lunches from around the world, May/June 2010 issue of Afar Magazine. My photo is the white plate on the red table cloth, bottom right.

If there is one thing I really love about the world of photography these days, it is this: it is easier than ever to connect with Photo Editors’ and for them to take advantage of where you may be travelling to.

Let me explain.

In late December 2009, an email popped up in my inbox asking for shots of school lunches from around the world. The PE at Afar Magazine wanted to assign the job to multiple photographers, in multiple countries. With my January/February trip to the Maldives already booked, I put my hand up for the Maldives and was assigned it.

Now to be honest, this wasn’t the most glamorous of assignments, but it was actually a lot of fun. In the Maldives I hooked up with my Maldivian friend and fellow photographer, Ahmed Zahid. Together we went to the boys school in Male’ and after explaining what I was after to two different people, we were given permission to do the shoot (well, take two photos – shoot is a bit of a stretch!).

The photo taking bit took about 8-minutes. The getting permission bit took about 22-minutes. That night I uploaded the hi-res images and sent them to my editor.

In June of this year I was killing some time at Bangkok airport waiting for my flight to Japan. What did I spot in the newsagency? None other than the May/June 2010 issue of Afar. Flicking through I found the double page spread and let me tell you, it looks great!

If you haven’t seen Afar magazine yet, then make sure you get a copy. One of the things I really like about it is the print quality and colour reproduction. I’m not sure what paper they use, but it has a great pearly type feel to it. As for the colour reproduction, it is fantastic. The content is great too. Grab a copy and have a read.

Thanks to Tara from Afar Magazine for assigning me the Maldives.

Afar Magazine

—–

One of my funniest memories of being on the boats, is the time when I was sleeping on the outside top deck. Using my lightweight Goretex jacket as padding I was sleeping straight on the fiberglass upper deck, when I was woken by a friendly kick in the ribs. Bleary eyed I lifted my head up to be faced by seven of the Maldivian crew members in the pre-dawn light. The guy that jabbed me in the ribs indicated that I had to move to one side as I was sleeping in the spot where they prayed each day.

I shuffled out of the way and my Muslim crew members went about their business. As for me, I went straight back to sleep.

License the image by clicking on it.

Embed and share at your own site by clicking the triangle in the lower right hand corner.

Related Posts:

Maldives Fishing Part I

Back on the Commercial Fishing Boats, Maldives

Commercial Fishing in the Maldives Part II

—–

An hour before I took this photo, I was walking past the harbour at Madifushi Island in Thaa Atoll in the Maldives, wondering what I was going to do for the day.

A friendly man invited me onto the small dhoni crowded with two or three families for a day trip to a nearby deserted island.

How could I say no?

License the image by clicking on it.

Embed and share at your own site by clicking the triangle in the lower right hand corner.

—–

Six Senses Resort staff unloading a speed boat on an empty sand bar, prior to resort guests arriving for an evening of cocktails, near Six Senses Soneva Fushi Resort, Kunfunadhoo Island, South Maalhosmadulu (Baa) Atoll, Maldives, on the 26 January 2010.

As a photographer I produce tens of thousands of images a year.

Most will never be seen by anyone other than me.

You might think that is odd, but truth be told, working photographers’ produce an enormous number of images as part of their daily lives (Damon Winter of the NY Times produced 90,000 images alone while covering the Obama Campaign a couple of years ago).

While producing imagery for clients’ is what I do, even if I stopped working as a photographer tomorrow, I’d still take photos.

It is quite simply, what I love to do.

—–

During my month long trip back to the Maldives earlier in the year, I decided to do some street portraiture. Armed with a portable white back drop, I found a busy street corner down around the main commercial fish market in Male’. With the help of my friend and photographer – Ahmed Zahid – I approached interesting looking strangers and asked them if I could take their photo.

Many people said ‘no’, but more importantly, a few said ‘yes’.

The decision to use a white back drop was made in part because there are so few good back drops to photograph people against in Male’.

See the complete series at this link:

Maldives | Street Portraits

Related Posts:

Experiencing Male’, The Capital of the Maldives

Rubbish in the Maldives

Ambiguous Moments in the Maldives

—–

Double page spread in Qatar Airlines Oryx Magazine. Published 1st February 2010.

As a photographer there is almost nothing I love better than seeing my work printed full page.

This opening spread ran in the February 2010 issue of Oryx Magazine and was the opener of a six page article I produced, complete with imagery.

The image at left, showing a board walk set amongst turquoise blue waters in the Maldives, can be licensed via Aurora Photos.

The image at right, showing a dhoni travelling along an atoll edge in the Maldives, can be licensed via Aurora Photos.

—–

For Sale – The Ultimate Weekender.

Situated within walking distance of the ocean, this weathered one bedroom house is the ultimate weekender. No traffic, no high rise, no internet, no phone lines, no newspapers, no neighbours.

A love for sea, sand and sunshine is desirable.

Car not needed.

Due to global warming and rising sea levels, this weekender is priced to sell. Will consider trades for a case of Corona or season tickets to the New York Yankees games.

—–