The RAWCAT files
A tribute to Rob van Dam Sr.
In 2014, I tookover Workhouse in Eindhoven, formerly known as Studio Koenders. Rob van Dam was in charge of this studio as Creative Director. Unfortunately, Rob passed away far too young some time ago.
I came to know him as a remarkable and highly creative individual. Originally trained as a professional ballet dancer, Rob transitioned into the field of photography in the 1980s, back when everything was still analog. He shot numerous campaigns for prestigious international clients such as DAF, Playboy Magazine, and Philips.
During the time I worked with him, he was responsible for the fashion campaigns of Lambretta and Artu Napoli, among others. Rob had a sense for storytelling and drama, something the younger generation of photographers can still learn from.
I know I learned a great deal from Rob, including the art of 'reading' light. Photography literally means 'writing with light', so if you haven't seen the light, there's not much to write about...
Rob, thank you for your lessons. Rest in peace.
Camiel and José
Nico de Bruin and RAWCAT Media: 15 years of collaboration
Since copywriter Nico de Bruin and Camiel Donders met each other, they have been collaborating in several projects for several clients. It all started with Oisterwijk Swingt, a music event in the South of the Netherlands. Nico and Camiel both participated in the MarCom committee which was responsible for all communications such as website, print magazine, program guide, press releases and so on. Nico wrote all copy and Camiel shot all visual content. The start of a long term relationship began.
Recently one of the clients they served is Dongen Pallets, since 1962 a circular pallet & packaging manufacturer . Some years ago they installed a complete new CAPE production line. Together with this innovation Dongen Pallets took a step into the circular future of their company. A rebranding was initiated. So a new set of copywriting and visual content was required. Nico was responsible for the new proposition ‘WE LOVE WOOD’. Since then the complete new website was developed. All visual content was refreshed consisting of leading campaign content, product images, employee portraits, social media content and stock images.
Following the circular path Dongen Pallets finished their own, high tech, biomass power plant in 2019. General Manager Jurgen Kemps: “As a sustainable producer of pallets and boxes, we need our biomass plant to be able to take the final step in the circular process. When repair is really no longer an option, the waste wood disappears in the furnace of our biomass plant. We use the heat and electricity that is produced in our production process, among other things. That's how we complete the circle again.” All press release copy was written by Nico and RAWCAT Media shot all visual content.
Among Dongen Pallets and Oisterwijk Swingt, Nico and RAWCAT Media worked together for Zeebregts Tegelprojecten, pitch for AutoBinck Group and IRX Communicatie. And many to follow…Mantelfoon, an outdoor campaign in COVID-19 time
At the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Netherlands, Nieuw Creatief Peil from Rotterdam reached out to us to shoot an outdoor campaign for Mantelfoon. Concept was a yellow oldschool phone held in several positions by hand models. We arranged all safety regulations in our studio so we could work at a 2 meters distance.
After post production and delivery the campaign was postponed by NCP because nobody was traveling by metro or bus, and that's were the campaign was shown. Fortunately a month later public transport was started up again. Quick thinking by NCP made this campaign a great succes! Click here for all images.
Tilburg Twilight
What a simple short phone call can lead to... "Camiel, this is Niek van den Broek of Hotel Mercure Tilburg. We are about to remodel the hotel and we thought it was a fun idea to use images of various places in Tilburg for each separate room.. Do you have any in your archive by any chance?"
As we work commissioned for our clients we don't use images twice. So Camiel started with a list of 15 landmarks in Tilburg. The first one he shot was of the Town Hall "Paleis Raadhuis". He choose the twilight as setting. The dark indigo color of the sky provides calmness and tranquility which suits the idea of a nice rest at your hotel room after exploring the beautiful city.
Camiel ended up shooting 86 unique images during twilight. A project that lasted for 3 years: https://mercure-tilburg.nl/tilburg-twilight
KETER online video and photo content
In 2018 KETER asked us to produce visual content for new products in outdoor furniture. Because of cost efficiency KETER desired to shoot film and photography in one sequence. Together with DSPH we made a 'military' plan. Combining photo and film sets with an eye for continuity such as clothing, position of the sun, etc. During 4 days we shot several videos and numerous photos. "We love it when a plan comes together"... (Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith, The A-Team)
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