Israel, the Artist

By Eliza Gower | Posted in Close Encounters | 11 September 2011 6:28AM

Israel Rivera is a Brisbane based photographer. He works in fashion and advertising, but his artistic heart still beats. He is one of few Brisbane creatives who has decided to ignore the unrelenting allure of the world's fashion capitals in favour of his beloved home town. And we are so very happy that he has.

Beyond his abounding creativity and talent, Israel is kind and incredibly generous. He was instrumental in the creation of the wildly successful fundraising event, The UpDo and is forever shooting new faces without any financial remuneration. Israel finds beauty in almost anything and anyone, and he isn't afraid to express it. He gives complements as easily as he breathes, but still somehow offers them with the utmost sincerity.

Israel is like an excited child on Christmas Eve when he is planning a shoot. Ideas explode from his mouth like a reckless steam train and his eyes sparkle so intensely that you can almost see the reflection of his musings dancing across them. Israel becomes so intent on his mighty vision that any suggestion to the contrary is often met with a blunt 'no'.

He delights in finding inspirational images from times gone by, and in hunting down the most obscure and intoxicating locations. Israel will row boats, hike into the bush, drive to central Queensland, walk past 'no access' points in collapsing buildings and stumble precariously through his vegie garden in the search of the perfect location. The mesmerising creatures that Israel encourages to frolic through the aforementioned locations are in turn the perfect balance to their carefully crafted surrounds. Flaming red hair throws a flash of fierce gold in the burning sunset. Pale porcelain skin is icy against the walls of an austere, old building...

After years of shooting beautiful stills, Israel recently dallied with moving pictures and created one of the most aesthetically beautiful short films I have seen. Wonderland is blissfully ‘un-cliché’, it is simultaneously emotive and sensual and yet somehow beautifully innocent. It is only his first attempt, and yet it is truly inspiring.

The series of photographs featured here come from a collection called "in my own time". Israel styled and shot all of these images alone, for the pure creative joy of capturing a mood, bless his love of beauty. His photos are mesmerising, cinematic and achingly beautiful, capturing a story, not just a pretty face. And behind the porcelain silhouettes of his angelic subjects lies the majestic landscapes of Brisbane. Who knew it was so beautiful?

Favourite coffee spot?
Pearl Cafe, (Logan Rd, Woolloongabba)

Favourite place for a drink?
Home with my beautiful wife

Favourite shopping destination?
Melbourne for sure, amazing variety and style. Madrid is pretty good too. In Brisbane… Embarrassingly, David Jones.

Favourite indulgence?
Good coffee is my daily treat, and of course my wife and kids.

Favourite restaurant?
1889 Enoteca (Logan Rd, Woolloongabba). Amazing cellar and the food is beautiful.