AUSTRALIA IS A DREAM FOR MANY. ITS LEGENDARY LAID BACK LIFESTYLE WHICH IS THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF WORK HOURS AND A HEALTHY DOSE OF LEISURE TIME OFTEN SPENT ON AUSTRALIA’S SANDY BEACHES IS THE IMAGE THAT DRIVES MANY TO THE CONTINENT IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE IN ORDER TO SEEK A NEW LIFE. BUT DID YOU EVER IMAGINE THAT IS COULD ALSO WORK THE OTHER WAY AROUND?
John Dobson was born in Melbourne, Australia, but the world really opened up to him when he moved to Frankfurt, Germany with his family when he was 16 years old. After finishing school in Germany John then moved to the United Kingdom where he continued his education studying Graphic Design at Maidstone College of Art followed by a post-graduate also in Graphic Design at London’s Royal College of Art. It was during this time John learned to think outside the square. Soaking up London’s lively art scene and popular culture, it was also during this period that I began to take a serious interest in photography.
But no matter how you turn it, Australia does have that specific magnetic influence on some, and after John Dobson finished his studies in Europe, he returned to the country of his origin. John found work as an art director in a Sydney based ad agency. While art directing in his day job he continued to pursue his personal photographic work, experimenting with lighting styles and techniques. John gave up his work in advertising already some time ago now and has accepted a teaching position in photography at Sydney Institute. Still his graphic design background is of big influence in his art and he approaches photography always from a conceptual and art director’s point of view.
“Teaching allows me the luxury of working on my own personal projects, rather than kowtowing to clients,” John explains the change in his professional life.
“Currently I am working on a number of personal projects including the collaboration of an ongoing series of body shots with a fitness model known simply as Kedori, met through the international modeling website Model Mayhem.”
But before jumping to John’s work with Kedori, let us direct your attention to his recent work with model Rob Cattanach. Though native Australian, Rob’s family name already gives away his Scottish background. And if his name didn't do it for you, than most certainly his striking red hair. Studying for a Bachelor Degree in Physical Education, Rob is also very passionate about rugby. He played Rugby Union and Rugby League, both at a high level when in junior grades. Right now Rob is focused on Rugby Union training and play at the senior grade level, representing the Eastwood Club of Sydney. Though it doesn't show in his work with John Dobson, Rob Cattanach is relatively new to modeling but, obviously, likes it. Signed up with Crew Models International, he hopes that modeling one day will offer him the opportunity to travel and live and work overseas, outside the borders of Australia. Interested in fashion, fitness, swim- and underwear modeling, Rob is eager to learn from the best the industry ahs to offer. About his collaboration with John Dobson, Rob cherishes good memories:
“John is very gifted. His artistic vision is amazing and I learned so much creatively from working with him. The experience was inspirational in so many ways.”
Australia is a dream for many. The new land of dreams come true. But at the same time it is also home to many others who dream of a life elsewhere, bringing Australia’s best closer to those in other parts of the world. John Dobson did it, and Rob Cattanach dreams of it.
–BM-
