About | Sharpfocuspics

Hello, I'm Stephen Thomas.

I started my career working in marketing and advertising management while completing degrees in Marketing & Communications followed by Psychology. The relevant experience in my corporate career, included supervising production for multinational television and print campaigns involving model selection, agency liaison with creative, copy and design.

After some part-time teaching in these areas at two leading Sydney Universities, I set up my own company as a market research consultant. Much of my work came from the booming consumer magazine industry where I worked with lifestyle, sport and fitness titles. A highlight was the launch of Inside Sport magazine in 1991, where I was a major contributor to the research & development and ongoing marketing success of Australia's leading sports magazine.

An assignment to oversea the redesign of Swimming Australia's monthly magazine, following the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, opened an opportunity to expand into journalism and sports photography. Then in 1998, I accepted a consulting position as Australian Correspondent for US Swimming World magazine, accredited at Olympic and World Championship level over the next decade.

With the gradual decline of the magazine industry and ongoing encouragement from media associates, I decided to expand into portrait, fashion and art photography. However, I remain an active sports photographer with regular ongoing international publication via Swimswam.com

I particularly enjoy working with the composition of a dynamic setting or background to highlight the client, using a composition of natural light and shadows to create your unique look.

I will work to a clients specifications, but if your looking to start or build your portfolio, or perhaps create some unique personal theme, I am happy to provide advice on all aspects of styling, wardrobe and location.

My personal preference is a relatively natural look, light makeup, style focused, which is highlighted in much of my portfolio.

I also have considerable experience in creative design and as a stylist from my years in magazines and distributing swimwear in Australia.

I am based on the Tweed Coast, in northern NSW, about 20 minutes from the Queensland border and Coolangatta Airport. I have set up a beachside home / studio, but I will continue to travel within Australia and overseas.

Please contact me for more specific details to suit your needs. As a guide, my hourly rate starts at A$125+gst, with a minimum two hour booking, for standard non-commercial work.

I will occasionally consider TFP if the model and concept interests me or where I can help kick-start a promising new talent or athlete.

I look forward to working with you.

I love working with the composition of nature and the human body, light and shadows - preferably a natural look, light makeup, style focused, black & white preference, portraits, fashion, swim/beachwear and occasionally art nude. Disgraced British cult photographer David Hamilton was an early influence on my style but Australian photographer Peter Coulson is also an influence. I have much experience in creative design and as a stylist from my years in magazines and importing swimwear.

I am based on the Tweed Coast 15 minutes from the Queensland border. I have set up a beach side home / studio but I will continue to travel in Australia and overseas regularly.

My standard rate for a non-commercial shoot in and around my studio is a very reasonable A$125/ph, minimum two hours shooting inclusive of producing the best retouched images from the shoot. I will consider TPF is the model and concept interests me and particularly to help kick-start promising new talent.
Note this rate is for personal/portfolio work NOT commercial work, ask for a quote.