Kisau Photography

The Melbourne Portraits Project: A Photographic Ode invites you to see Melbourne in a new light. Through a series of photoshoots scattered across the city’s streets, alleys, and hidden spots, Paul Tocatlian captures the creative pulse of Melbourne and the people who make it thrive. This book celebrates a community that inspires creativity and encourages everyone to dream bigger. Accompanying this photo book is a companion website that offers additional insights, including articles like this one, further exploring Melbourne’s inspiring spirit and the collaborative energy behind each portrait.

A Peek at the Introductory Sections

What happens when a photographer finds himself unexpectedly grounded in a new city, surrounded by a thriving creative community? For Paul Tocatlian, this situation led to The Melbourne Portraits Project:  A Photographic Ode, a photo book that captures the city’s creative energy through its people and diverse cultures. This article takes you behind the scenes of the introductory sections of the book, diving into the inspirations, collaborations, and pivotal moments that transformed an initial zine concept into a full-scale project.

The Book Cover: A Mosaic of Melbourne’s Creative Spirit

The cover of The Melbourne Portraits Project isn’t just any photograph; it’s a mosaic. A visual patchwork of every portrait in the book. Each tiny photo contributes to a larger image, symbolizing how individual stories combine to create a cohesive narrative of the city’s creative spirit. For Paul, this mosaic approach reflects Melbourne’s dynamic community, where every artist, model, and collaborator plays a role in shaping a shared creative landscape.

Paul’s intent with the mosaic cover was to invite viewers to look closer. From a distance, the cover appears as one unified image, but up close, each individual portrait emerges. A reminder that every face and story contributes to Melbourne’s broader creative pulse. For a deeper look at how the cover design evolved, and to see how the community influenced the final choice, check out Paul’s article: The Votes Are In: The Cover of The Melbourne Portraits Project is Here.

The Zine That Started It All: The Street Is My Studio

Before The Melbourne Portraits Project became a book, it began as a small, personal endeavor. A zine titled The Street Is My Studio. Created during a workshop led by Ted Forbes of The Art of Photography on YouTube, the zine gave Paul a chance to experiment with storytelling in a fresh, dynamic way. Rather than showcasing individual photos from his collaborations, he used the zine format to present them as a cohesive collection, capturing the energy and essence of his Melbourne shoots.

When Ted later featured Paul’s zine on his YouTube channel, the spotlight offered a boost of confidence, inspiring Paul to expand the project from a simple zine into a full-fledged photo book. For many creatives, Paul’s journey underscores the transformative power of experimentation and how a small, exploratory project can sometimes grow into something far larger and more impactful than initially imagined.

If you’re curious about the workshop experience and the zine that inspired the book, check out Ted Forbes Spotlights The Street Is My Studio on The Art of Photography.

The Photograph That Shifted the Project’s Direction

Sometimes, a single image can chart the path for an entire project. For Paul, that image was a portrait of Vân Nguyễn, captured at the Bà Thiên Hậu Pagoda during his first set of photoshoot collaborations in Vietnam. This photo went on to win 500px’s Takeover March Edition Quest, and the recognition it received inspired Paul to pursue a broader vision, focusing on the powerful stories that collaborative portraiture can reveal.

The significance of this winning photo lay in its raw emotion and genuine connection, reinforcing Paul’s commitment to capturing authentic expressions. For any creative, this moment highlights how feedback and recognition can fuel a project’s evolution and propel it in unexpected directions. To learn more about how this photo influenced Paul’s journey, visit Nguyen Van Is the Face of 500px for March.

Jay Ventress: A Writer’s Perspective on the Project

During his time in Melbourne, Paul met poet Jay Ventress, a fellow creative whose work focuses on the art of capturing human connection with words. Jay soon became both a friend and collaborator, eventually writing the foreword to The Melbourne Portraits Project. His words frame the project as more than a series of images; they highlight the impact of creative partnerships and the shared humanity that often emerges through collaboration.

Jay’s own book, Dear Stranger, Origins, explores themes of connection and resilience through poetry. Paul included a few portraits of Jay in The Melbourne Portraits Project, a nod to their creative journey together. For more on Jay’s unique perspective, and how his journey intersected with Paul’s, check out Why Dear Stranger, Origins by Jay Ventress is a Must-Read.

Hannah Do: Partner, Stylist, and Creative Guide

Behind every ambitious creative project is a team of supporters, and for Paul, Hannah Do was an essential collaborator upon his return to California. As his life partner and the co-founder of Kisau Photography, Hannah helped establish the studio’s vision from the beginning, stepping into the role of Wardrobe Stylist and curator of the Kisau Clothing Collection. Her expertise in fashion brought a cohesive aesthetic to Kisau Photography’s work, with each portrait reflecting both the subject’s personality and a unified visual style.

Hannah’s role also included crucial support in the selection and refinement of images for The Melbourne Portraits Project. Her eye for detail and thoughtful feedback during the review of early versions helped ensure that the final collection resonated with clarity and impact. For many creatives, Hannah’s involvement underscores the value of having someone who can contribute both artistic insight and practical support to bring a vision to life. To learn more about Hannah’s role and her work with Kisau, check out Meet Hannah Do.

Jenna Tocatlian: Public Relations Advisor & Copy Editor

Family support can be invaluable to any creative, and for Paul, his daughter Jenna was a crucial part of bringing The Melbourne Portraits Project to life. In the book’s early stages, Jenna’s keen editorial eye helped refine the drafts, providing thoughtful feedback and assisting with revisions to ensure each section resonated with authenticity and clarity.

Beyond her role in the book’s development, Jenna serves as an advisor to Kisau Photography, lending her expertise as a PR professional to support the studio’s public relations initiatives. From strategizing magazine submissions to guiding promotional efforts, Jenna’s input has been instrumental in expanding Kisau Photography’s reach. Her involvement highlights the vital role of editorial and PR insights in creative projects, bringing a level of polish and visibility that would be challenging to achieve alone.

Final Thoughts: An Exploration of Creative Connections

At its heart, The Melbourne Portraits Project is a celebration of connection, collaboration, and storytelling. For Paul, the project is a testament to how creativity can thrive even in challenging circumstances. Each portrait captures more than just a moment; it conveys a unique story and highlights the value of bringing different perspectives together.

For creatives, this project offers inspiration on multiple levels. From the initial zine created in a workshop to the final book, Paul’s journey shows how small experiments can lead to larger creative breakthroughs. Whether you’re flipping through the pages of the book, exploring the companion website, or reading the behind-the-scenes stories, each piece reveals something new about the collaborative spirit that fuels art and creativity.

Join the Conversation!

We want to hear from you! Drop a comment below to connect with us and others exploring The Melbourne Portraits Project. Got a question about the stories behind the photos? Curious about the creative process? Or maybe you’ve got a story of your own to share? Whatever’s on your mind, let’s chat! Your thoughts and stories make this journey even richer. Jump in, join the conversation, and let’s keep the inspiration rolling!

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The Melbourne Portraits Project