The Melbourne Portraits Project
Welcome to companion site for The Melbourne Portraits Project: A Photographic Ode.
Made over two unforgettable years in Melbourne, this photo book is a tribute to the city’s vibrant creativity and collaborative spirit. Here on these pages, you can explore the entire photo book and take a guided tour through our virtual gallery experience. You’ll find behind-the-scenes stories and bonus photos that bring the book’s journey to life. Dive in and enjoy!
About This Book
What if an entire city became the backdrop for storytelling? The Melbourne Portraits Project captures Paul Tocatlian’s time in Melbourne, transforming its streets, alleys, and hidden corners into vibrant scenes that showcase the heart of its creative community through over a hundred photoshoots.
Divided into twelve chapters, this book explores various photographic themes that bring a diverse range of portraits to life. From the interplay of light and shadow in Chiaroscuro, inspired by painters like Caravaggio, to the desaturated tones and raw expressions of Concrete Jungle.
At its core, The Melbourne Portraits Project is about embracing the imperfections and nuances of real life. This photo book celebrates the art of natural light portraiture, capturing unfiltered moments that reveal the raw beauty of the city and its people.
The portraits in this book are complemented by insightful chapter introductions and personal anecdotes, providing context and inviting readers to see beyond the image. The result is a collection that feels intimate and genuine.
This book serves as a reminder that art has the ability to inspire, to uplift, and to bring people together, even in the most difficult times. It invites readers to embrace their own creative passions and to see the beauty in everyday encounters.
Explore the Chapters
- Introduction
- Chapter 1: The Street Is My Studio
- Chapter 2: Chiaroscuro
- Chapter 3: Creative Freedom
- Chapter 4: Concrete Jungle
- Chapter 5: Visual Echo
- Chapter 6: Fantasy Meets Identity
- Chapter 7: Strike A Pose
- Chapter 8: The Dark Side
- Chapter 9: Nature’s Gentle Touch
- Chapter 10: City Lights
- Chapter 11: Le Petit Palais
- Chapter 12: Graffiti Lane
- Behind The Lens
Introduction
Discover how Melbourne’s quiet streets and creative community inspired this book. The opening chapter reveals the inspiration that arose from the shared moments and connections that brought each story to life.
Chapter 1: The Street Is My Studio
Experience Melbourne’s streets, where urban textures, weathered surfaces, and shifting light shape the stories. This chapter captures the raw energy of alleys, staircases, and scenes that bring subjects closer to their surroundings.
Chapter 2: Chiaroscuro
Dive into the world of light and shadow. Inspired by painters, this chapter creates depth and drama through natural light, highlighting expressions and subtle details.
Chapter 3: Creative Freedom
Discover the playful side of this photo book, with vibrant colors, imaginative props, and whimsical settings that transform each scene into a visual playground.
Chapter 4: Concrete Jungle
The muted cityscape offers a striking contrast, placing vivid individuality at the forefront. This chapter captures raw expressions against urban backdrops, bringing each subject’s personality to life.
Chapter 5: Visual Echo
Reflections, layers, and transparent surfaces blur the line between reality and illusion, inviting viewers to look deeper and uncover hidden dimensions. This chapter explores the complex beauty of layered imagery.
Chapter 6: Fantasy Meets Identity
In the world of cosplay, personal identity meets imaginative characters. Each portrait showcases the transformation and self-expression that are celebrated in this unique photobook.
Chapter 7: Strike A Pose
Movement and body language create a dynamic narrative, capturing spontaneity and authenticity. With natural interactions against diverse settings, each portrait tells a story of its own.
Chapter 8: The Dark Side
Explore vulnerability and intensity as shadows and close-ups reveal raw emotions. This chapter’s balance of light and darkness invites introspection and highlights the complexity of human expression.
Chapter 9: Nature’s Gentle Touch
Set in outdoor locations, soft light merges subjects with their natural surroundings, capturing an unfiltered connection between people and nature unique to this chapter.
Chapter 10: City Lights
Melbourne transforms under the glow of streetlights and reflections, capturing the city’s vibrant nightlife. This chapter celebrates the freedom and boldness that come alive at night.
Chapter 11: Le Petit Palais
Elegance meets artistic expression as fashion and style find a canvas in an opulent venue. Portraits in this chapter embody sophistication, making each image a standout in this photobook.
Chapter 12: Graffiti Lane
Melbourne’s graffiti-covered laneways set the stage for portraits infused with rebellion and spirit. Street art becomes a vibrant part of each portrait, embodying the city’s creative and bold culture.
Behind The Lens
Paul Tocatlian shares a personal reflection on his journey as a photographer, revealing the creative philosophy and collaborative spirit behind The Melbourne Portraits Project.
Moments That Shaped This Journey
Explore The Melbourne Portraits Project in a 3D Virtual Gallery
Step into a 3D virtual gallery of The Melbourne Portraits Project and explore every portrait from the book. Walk through the collection, connect with each story, and experience the project in a whole new way. Now available on desktop and laptop only. →
The Melbourne Portraits Project Featured on the Cover of MIKLD Magazine
Gracing the cover of MILKD Magazine’s very first issue, The Melbourne Portraits Project takes on a new life and reimagines its street-born spirit in a high-fashion editorial spread. This feature marks a full-circle moment where raw portraiture meets glossy print, blending grit and glamour in a tribute to Melbourne’s creative pulse. →
The Melbourne Portraits Project on The Art of Photography
You’re probably wondering why I’m grinning from ear to ear. Well, The Melbourne Portraits Project was just featured by Ted Forbes on The Art of Photography! Seeing my photo book included alongside so many inspiring works was an incredible surprise and a huge creative milestone! →
Announcing the Release of “The Melbourne Portraits Project: A Photographic Ode” Photo Book
It’s Official! The Melbourne Portraits Project: A Photographic Ode, a new photo book that captures the pulse of Melbourne’s creative community, is here. This collection of photographs brings together portraits and scenes from over 100 photoshoot collaborations conducted during the pandemic, in between lockdowns, transforming Melbourne’s quiet streets, alleys, and hidden corners into a studio like no other. →
Choosing the Perfect Book Cover
We’ve just selected the cover photo for The Melbourne Portraits Project! This exciting milestone brings us one step closer to releasing the book. Check out the winning cover photo! →
The Zine That Set the Stage for the Photo Book
While you eagerly await the release of The Melbourne Portraits Project, why not dive into my first zine, The Street is My Studio, which serves as a prequel to the book? Get your hands on the zine now! →
Purchase The Melbourne Portraits Project
Ready to bring a piece of Melbourne’s magic into your world? The Melbourne Portraits Project: A Photographic Ode is available worldwide, packed with stories, faces, and the city’s unique vibe. Get your copy of the book today and dive into a journey that’s all about creativity and connection!
Kisau Photography 