Insight: Keren Dobia

Story Telling Through Creative Portraits

Keren will discuss the unique stories and people behind her in progress series I AM. and the process undertaken to create these very stylised portraits.

I AM. is a series of illustrative environmental portraits of Australians that explores and documents the people who contribute to our vast and diverse artistic community. The series showcases a variety of Australian creative talent through stylised portraits of individuals, using objects, props and artwork that help to represent or illustrate who they are. The images tell the artists’ creative stories and shares their deep artistic passions in a conceptual and dramatic way.

Keren will share techniques and the process she goes through to create her dramatic portraits.

Presenter's Bio:

At the 2017 Australian Professional Photography Awards, a photographer and judge said of Keren’s work that “there are some portraits that simply say what we look like, and there’s some that say who we are.” This is the principle that has inspired Keren’s ongoing series of portraits depicting Australian artists and artisans, I AM. – four of which earnt her the distinction of being named the 2017 AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year.
Keren is an accredited professional photographer and a creative director of theatrical compositions. Her artwork is influenced by her background in painting, drawing, and fashion, and her images often blur the line between photography and illustration. Keren’s creativity extends to the design and fabrication of costumes and sets. With a natural attention to detail and her industry recognised postproduction skills Keren moulds her inspirational work from concept to completion.
In addition, Keren’s friendly and energetic personality puts both her creative team and her subjects at ease. This distinctive approach attracts commissions equally from burlesque, circus, and theatre performers, as well as from public care providers.
Keren holds a Diploma of Photo Imaging from Melbourne Polytechnic (formerly NMIT), and lectures at Melbourne Polytechnic and RMIT in the Photo Imaging courses alongside her creative and commercial work.

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