Film + Stills image library for Zurich Insurance
25 February, 2022
There are some days as an advertising photographer where all things come together and lineup and you feel that what you get to do is no less than a privilege. This shoot was one of those. I was commissioned to shoot an image library for Zurich insurance, but with a difference - they initially gave me creative control over the brief and content. Very unusual and really gets you thinking, but it also means there's breadth to be more creative in your subject matter and retain some control. Step up (via a loose family connection) the Arnolds. A family of 6 living far away from native South Africa, on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, home-schooling their kids and living each day as if it were their last. It's no exaggeration to say that I could probably shoot these guys every day for a month and not run out of content. What an honour that they let me completely into their lives for 48hours, hosting me too. Thank you!
The challenge was being completely self-sufficient, away from any crew or assistance and needing to capture both stills and film, searching for vignettes of every day life which Zurich can use to showcase their message. As a photographer / director, it's actually my preference to be off-camera as much as possible when shooting motion - despite years of self-shooting myself. However this brief required the flexibility I've managed to build up over the years. Needless to say, it finished me. But, looking back at what we captured will always fill me with happiness so that will always make it worth it.
