Raex Murillo

Spaciousness and spontaneity are essential elements of the creative process for Sydney-based photographer Raex. “Imperfection – whether it be a flick of the hair from the wind or capturing my subject by surprise – much like reading between the lines, can create the perfect image,” he says. “Captivating faces who can transcend the vivid illustration of a great photograph are my favourite subjects to capture." Known for his voyeuristic, nostalgic aesthetic, Raex is equally at ease tackling polished, pared back projects. “I am a versatile photographer. I adapt very easily to any style, or brief a client hands me.” On set, striking the perfect balance between creativity and clarity sets the scene for artistic success. “Briefs with a clear direction that can maintain a certain level of creative spontaneity – both studio and location – are my favourite kind to work on,” he muses. “My favourite clients would have to be those that understand what goes into a great shoot and are willing to allow creativity to flourish. I've been lucky enough in my career to have found many who do and who keep me inspired to create better and better work each time.” My energy on set is… fun, creative, spontaneous. The format I prefer to shoot in is… HR digi/Medium format and 35mm Film. My preferred camera-lens is… I’m a Canon man, Canon R5 and the trusty 24-70mm. I like to be versatile so when I want to get a bit more creative, I'll switch to the 135mm for a beautiful crispy bokeh or the 16-35mm for those wide angles and to capture more of the scene. My creative process is… open, liquid, evolving. My never-fail shoot playlist is… it changes. Right now, it is Brent Faiyaz, Frank Ocean, Omar Apollo. My favourite piece of work is… an image I took of a friend whilst in a transitioning period of my life a few months ago in Europe. It’s a special photograph because it signifies to me one of a few moments in a life where tough directional choices had to be made. It's a reminder to never lose that trust in yourself. My favourite location to shoot is… I love Australia, I can be on a beach, in the desert or the snow, all within a three-hour flight. However, internationally it’s Morocco, as it’s where I started. If I could shoot any person (living or dead) it would it be… Peter Lindbergh, to take a portrait and spend a moment in his space. I feel a lot can be learned in the silent energy of a person's space. If I wasn’t a photographer, I’d be… leading the charge in natural sustainable fibres and a circular economy for fabrics used in the fashion industry.