Flamboyant creativity; the rachael hale fanlisting

From her official website RachaelHale.com

Internationally recognised photographer Rachael Hale lives in Auckland, New Zealand. Rachael is undoubtedly one of New Zealand's most acclaimed animal photographers; she was awarded a Master of Photography at the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography Awards and in 2000 received her fellowship - the highest accolade a New Zealand photographer can achieve. In 2002 Rachael received her Master of Photography from the Australian Institute of Photography, the highest achievement a photographer can receive in Australia.

Rachael has published her award-winning Animals As Art collection - including a large selection of greeting cards, calendars, wall decor, posters and stationery in over 20 countries worldwide.

Rachael's photographic career began when she took night classes while still at school. She went on to complete an Auckland Society of Art Diploma majoring in Photography and the Professional Photography Design Programme at Wellington Polytechnic. The following three years were spent working as an assistant for a leading New Zealand photographer, before establishing Rachael Hale Photography in 1995.

Rachael's big break came earlier that same year with the New Zealand Institute of Photography's Independent Assignment Competition. The challenge - to photograph a watch. Pixie - a Kune Kune pig native to New Zealand became the subject of a gold-winning photograph, both in New Zealand and overseas, and the beginning of her Animals As Art collection.

It would seem that Henry, Rachael's pet dog is the embodiment of patience and calm as one of the world's most photographed pets. The Newfoundland debuted in Rachael's 1999 calendar with Pipi the parrot, the same image winning gold at the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography in 1999."I love photographing Henry" Rachael says. "Each time you can tell by his eyes he's thinking "oh no, not again". But he's got to understand he's got a photographer for a mum!"

Rachael's creative flamboyance with animals has created a new genré, beautifully presented in a series of cards and calendars, that is renowned as the Rachael Hale 'Animals As Art' Collection.

She is prone to saying “Enjoy my images, for I enjoyed making them!”

101 Cataclysms
For the love of cats
Cats have been the most mysterious and magnificent creatures to cross our paths. They have beguiled us and blessed us with their company since the civilized world began. Rachael Hale captures the beauty, elegance and charm of 101 of her favorite felines in this stunning book, certain to touch the heart of every cat lover.
» take a look :)

101 Salivations
For the love of dogs
This delightful collection of 101 dog portraits by award-winning photographer Rachael Hale will become a must-have for dog lovers everywhere. Rachael Hale's signature style catches the eye of everyone who comes across it. Featuring 101 color photographs of Chihuahuas, Great Danes, and everything in between, 101 SALIVATIONS presents dogs in all sorts of wonderful poses that bring out their most endearing characteristics. Rachael's secret to capturing a dog's soul is to focus on his eyes-whether they are wide and shining, or heavy-lidded, in the throes of slumber. Within this book we can see the soul of our own best buddies staring back at us. In between irresistible photographs, the books is peppered with humorous and touching quotations from well-known authors such as A. A. Milne and Fran Lebowitz. This whimsical compilation of heartwarming portraits celebrates the quirky character of our canine companions. 101 SALIVATIONS: For The Love of Dogs is a tribute to the animals who have stood by us for centuries and continue to be our best friends.

It's A Zoo Out There
A wonderful menagerie of animal portraits by celebrated photographer Rachel Hale. This book features 101 of Hale's finest photographs of enchanting creatures both large and small, domestic and exotic. Her special repport with animals has allowed her to capture the true essence of her subjects. You will see it in the trusting upside-down pose of a sleeping lion cub named Rio; the quietly amused gaze of Mayana the giraffe; and in the dignified attitude of a chimpanzee named Sonny. IT'S A ZOO OUT THERE is a loving tribute that will be irresisible to animal lovers everywhere.

Here you are some of my favourite Rachel Hale's pictures.
Hover over them to see her comments: that nice things that only the photographer can say about the subject :)
Click on the preview to see a bigger size.