Photographers : Jac de Villiers

To Jac de Villiers, photography is a magical process, whether the picture is digitally or chemically produced. He still finds it thrilling to see an exposed blank sheet of photographic paper develop into a silver saturated image in the yellow fog of his darkroom. It is his idea of alchemy, his idea of magic.

Jac specializes in photographing people. Some are stylized, some he snaps. Portraiture is a complex affair where the photographer shares a very brief but intimate relationship with someone who is, more often than not, a total stranger. This liaison is sometimes unpredictable and combustive, often intense and collaborative, always challenging. The challenge to tell a story.

During 2004 Jac was commissioned by Desmond Tutu Peace Trust to take portraits for The Hands That Shape Humanity project. It involved traveling to different countries to interview and photograph eminent people who had made themselves available for this ongoing charitable initiative. A selection of these portraits are found on the website.

Jac is renowned in the industry at large not only as the master of portraits, but also as a highly talented décor and interiors photographic artist. He has a longstanding, well-established rapport and relationship with local and international commissioning editors.

www.jacdevilliers.com

Jac's Work