Australian War Memorial - Canberra

On a recent trip to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Oliver took these great new shots... Having done a little research we were surprised to discover the following interesting facts: close to one million visitors go each year, it is the most visited national cultural institution in Australia, work began on the building in 1933 however the effects of the Great Depression and the outbreak of the Second World War delayed the official opening until Remembrance Day, 11 November 1941. Incredible architecture and a must see!

Wildlife Conservation and Education

Oliver set out a few weeks ago to capture some spectacular new wildlife. We were totally surprised with the fantastic results. Once you really see the scales on the lizard and stare right into the eye of the crocodile, you appreciate that each animal has an individual personality and they can't be lumped into one group of reptiles.

We challenge anyone after looking at this new folio that say otherwise. All uniquely Australian and all in desperate need of conservation. We hope that these beautiful photographs help educate the wider community as to the importance of protecting these special creatures.

A Tall Order Giraffe Encounter

For those that live in Melbourne, or those visiting don't miss the wonderful 'Tall Order Giraffe Encounter' at Werribee Open Range Zoo. With so many animals living on 225 hectares of wide, open savannah, it's hard to believe that it's only 30 minutes form Melbourne. Oliver visited and got up close and personal with one of the world’s tallest mammals. Don't miss it!!

Cunard's Queen Victoria in Melbourne

As the sensational oceanliner Queen Victoria came into view on Melbourne's Station Pier, Oliver managed to brave the crowds and capture some stunning new exterior shots...

A few fast facts: Guest accommodation - 990 staterooms, gross tonnage - 90,000 tons, length - 964.5 feet, width - 106 feet, guest capacity - 2000 and best of all guess how many decks?? Only a mere 12!

Bison is on iTunes!

Why Podcast on iTunes?

Yes that's right, Bison's photographer Oliver is now podcasting on iTunes! Why you may ask... And what exactly does a photography company need a podcast for?

First and foremost we love the concept of an MP3 audio file automatically being sent to a user's computer which AUTOMATICALLY loads it onto their iPod or other audio device. Also we think the inspiration behind the photo adds enormous value to understand why it was created. You can listen right from Bison's web page or from your computer using iTunes or other software, or from your iPod... you do not need an iPod to enjoy a podcast but automatically getting fresh audio content right to your iPod that you then listen to during your morning commute or walk in the park is what podcasting is all about!

Looking forward to your feedback, and stay tuned to Bison United on iTunes!

Australian Souvenir Magnets Exclusive!

Everyone loves a good magnet! This new range of 4 Victorian magnets were produced for ACMI at Fed Square as part of an exclusive line of souvenirs.

Cute aren't they!

Exclusive Range for Retail

One of our most loyal clients contacted us before Christmas to meet and discuss an idea for an exclusive new range of photography products....

Retail is an area we'd dipped into with the DVD postcard series, but not one we'd fully explored in the past, so of course we were interested.

What actually coincided with the meeting was a chapter in 'Pushing the Envelope all the Way to the Top' by Harvey Mackay that got us thinking. Always a matter of synchronicity!

Harvey writes in his book, that 'retail is detail.' And that some of the biggest breakthroughs in modern selling have been pioneered by huge national retail chains. Also that retail has enormous lessons to teach, and indeed it does. We've listed some of our top lessons below.

1. Loyalty deserves to be treated like royalty.

Rule: Pay special attention to your best customers - never take them for granted. Know their names.

2. Never say no for the other person.

Rule: Don't talk yourself out of a deal by assuming the other person won't be interested. You want exclusive, we'll give you exclusive! Postcards, magnets, shrink-wrapped mounted photos....

3. Admit your mistakes.

Rule: Retailing is an art, not a science. Listen to your customers. Survey them. Listen to your cash register. Listen to your employees. Listen to your instincts. Cut your losses (immediately). Personnel. Products. Prices. Location. Marketing.

p.s. Have fun!

Bison Photography Podcasts!

The podcasts have arrived!

Finally you can get your favourite photo explained by Oliver... We're also taking requests! Check out Bison's new podcast page here.

List or download up to date news from Oliver's latest trip on the road. Bison brings you the story and motivation behind the picture, free video and audio podcasts... choose from the list of available shows here.
Don't forget to send us your feedback!

Kangaroo Island, Seal Bay

Oliver joined the infamous Leyland Brothers' legend, in his quest to discover some of the most remote and pristine wilderness of the southern regions of Australia.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Leyland Brothers notoriety.... For years millions of Australians tuned in weekly to watched these brothers take us to parts of Australia that none of us had visited before.

Coming to prominence in the late 1960s and reached a peak of popularity in the 1970s, often providing Australian viewers with their first look at outback Australia.

It seems that Oliver, with the help of Jules our trail blazer, are discovering and rediscovering some of spectactualr natural beauty of our great land, which fist appeared on our screens 40 years ago.

These beautiful seals live in Seal Bay, near the Little Sahara on Kangaroo Island...

Kangaroo Island is Australia's third largest island - after Tasmania and Melville Island. It is 112 kilometres southwest of Adelaide at the entrance of Gulf Saint Vincent.

At its closest point to the mainland, it is 13 kilometres (8 mi) offshore from Cape Jervis, in the state of South Australia. It is said that Kangaroo Island was separated from mainland Australia by a rise in sea level about 9,000 years ago.

We definitely suggest you visit!

Introducing Pew Charitable Trust

We stumbled upon the great work of Pew Charitable Trusts, an independent nonprofit organisation, established between 1948 and 1979 by two sons and two daughters of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew.

The goal is far reaching yet specific: improve public policy, inform the public and improve civil life. What has this to do with Bison you may ask? A part of Pew's commitment to the environment, they have established a new joint effort with the Nature Conservancy to protect large tracts of Australia’s unique terrestrial and marine environment.


The project titled, The Australia Conservation Project is a new initiative that focuses on threats to the world’s unspoiled treasures, requiring new alliances of environmental groups and other players to take decisive actions. We think it's a great project, and headed by Dr, Barry Traill, director of the Wild Australia Program one we'd definitely like to get involved with. Read more about the project here.

The Wilderness Society

With Christmas almost here (again), we thought what better way than to support our favourite organisation The Wilderness Society. By donating a portion of each sale of our Christmas cards to their great work, we're sharing the love this Christmas!

All of the Bison crew agreed they're a great organisation to assist, and when we floated the idea with our clients, they were equally supportive. Greenies at heart, and activists in action, Oliver and Jules decided to do more that sit in the studio and design great cards this year, and have committed to two weeks in Tasmania's old growth forests photographing those at the front line of saving our forests. No doubt they'll come back with some evocative, beautiful shots.

Thanks to our new clients for also supporting The Wilderness Society this year; Patrick - Australia's leading provider of port services, also welcoming Canadian company Duha Group colour specialists and not to forget, a big thank you to our major sponsor Training Power, business and financial services, for their ongoing contribution to make travelling across our great land possible.

Great to see big business supporting the environment!

It's interesting to also note, that of all the Christmas cards we designed this year, our clients have chosen the pristine landscapes and wildlife from Victorian folio's as pics to represent their company.

For more info on how you can support the The Wilderness Society and the great work they do, or to get your custom card designed drop us a line!

Our containers, destination India!

One day ;)

Happy Birthday Bison!

Bison is celebrating it's 3rd birthday today (!) and what better way than officially welcoming two new members to our team. It's hard to believe that 3 years have already passed, and what started as a hobby sending beautiful hand-made koala cards to our friends in Spain, has progressed to doing deals in the boardroom of Rialto Towers.

A big thank you to our wonderful families, friends and clients for they're great support and feedback, we've loved every minute of it (well nearly!).

Oliver's photography has gone from strength to strength, especially with his recent production of a series of landscapes that are truly breathtaking. The only way to describe it is as though you are standing inside the photo, feeling what he must have felt, standing there looking out at our spectacular land. With the bluest skies, stunning ocean views and the rugged beauty of our dried up old land, who really would want to be exploring anywhere else but Australia?

New eCards!

How beautiful and fun are these new eCards!

The design side of the business is growing rapidly, which is very interesting indeed....

Photography purists 'don't do design' but we really wonder why (??) as this upsell can often see the creative team working with the one product from start to finish. More control over the image from consult to market is better for all concerned wouldn't you agree?

Our clients are jumping on the viral marketing bandwagon, and what better way to get your message and more importantly brand out there, than by putting a smile on someones face? Whether is e-marketing, bluetooth or print it's all happening here at Bison!

Planes, Trains and Ships...

What a month indeed! From the heights of the Shipping Management Tower in the Port of Melbourne, to the sparkling urinals of the Emirates flight lounge, we've seen it all this August. It couldnt have been more of a mixed bag!

Fortunately for us, Oliver loves a challenge... as he's worn a few hats working with the wonderful wharfies at Patrick Terminals to the high flying corporate set in Collins Street.

It seems that we've well and truly moved into machinery and infrastructure, welcoming our new client Chalmers into the Bison circle. And to be honest, we really think Oliver loves getting his hands dirty with those big boys toys. Just wait until you see some of the new pics on the way... did someone say forklifts weren't sexy?

Port of Melbourne

We love big ships! That's the song we sang when we were awarded to the contract to photograph the operations of Australia's busiest port - Melbourne!

And what a great project it has been... if you thought coordinating one shoot was a challenge, try accessing the highest level of security, finding your way through the labyrinth of terminals, huge machinery, praying for good weather (!) and...

What a challenge, but what a great reward. This is undoubtedly our best folio yet. Thanks to all of those that helped make it happen including Patrick Corp, Chalmers, the team at Chubb and of course everyone at the Port of Melbourne Corporation!

Full folio released online August 10th!

Conservation Volunteers

We braved the wild, wintery, and wet weather travelling to Point Cook's wetlands last week. Conservation Volunteers Australia in partnership with BHP Billiton are looking after this conservation project and are doing some terrific work in small teams in the area...

For those of you unfamiliar to the area, Point Cook Coastal Park is located 20 km southwest of Melbourne, and is a popular destination for birdwatchers... it features abundant birdlife, a historic bluestone homestead, intertidal sand banks and a Marine Reserve. Parks Victoria have recorded over 250 fauna species which is fairly impressive considering it's proximity to the city.

We first stumbled upon the work CVA perform researching volunteers and groups which are involved in weed control and environmental monitoring including bird surveys in Australia.

Oliver captured these few pictures of the team hard at work... Overall a very rewarding and interesting day.

Definitely worth a day trip and if you have some free time give CVA, and more importantly our environment a hand!

Free Ecards!

Introducing a great new addition to the BISON range... our Ecards are sure to delight, provoke thought, and take you somewhere you'd prefer to be (i.e. not in the office). Updated weekly stayed tuned and send for free to your friends!

We're also currenly producing our 2007-8 corporate catalogue which will have an Ecard customisation page for all of you greenies saying no to paper Christmas cards this year!