Paul Samuels

Paul Samuels’ love for photography grew from a foundation in fine art. He first picked up a camera at the age of 15 and went on to shoot his first commercial campaign in 2012. That same year, he was awarded the prestigious Tierney Fellowship and began working under the mentorship of renowned South African fine art photographer Jo Ractliffe. With a passion for photographing people and capturing authentic moments, Paul has developed into a versatile photographer capable of delivering across a wide range of briefs—from documentary-style shoots to high-end, polished advertising campaigns. He is also experienced in shooting stills alongside TVCs when needed and handles his own post-production work.

Samuels works mostly with portraiture, as he believes the photographic portrait best expresses individual and societal interests—how people live in relation to broader social structures. His images explore identity and belonging within some of society’s subcultures, with a focus on how groups constitute themselves, share common values, and develop a sense of purpose. He is particularly drawn to the ways people present themselves through dress, gesture, and attitude in the spaces they occupy, using photography to tell stories of young people in contemporary Africa.

Absa

Absolute Vodka

Adidas

Akedo

Barclays Africa

Bona

Brutal Fruit

Carling Black Label

Castle Lite

Castle Milk Stout

Cosmopolitan

Dark and Lovely

De Beers

Destiny Magazine

Dr and Misses

DSTV

Deutsche Bank

Doom

Durban July

Edgars

Elle

Elle Magazine

Financial Mail

FNB

Folio

Game

Garnier

Glenfiddich

Glenlivit

GQ

Grazia

House and Leisure

Hypebeast

Hyde Park

IEC

JC Le Roux

Jet

JHB Ballet

Johnnie Walker

Joko

Khulisa (NGO)

Legit

London Times

Marianne Fassler

Marie Claire

Men’s Health

Mindvalley

Miss SA

Mizani

Mr Price

MSF – Doctors Without Borders

Nedbank

Noseweek

Ogilvy

OLX

Powerade

Probiflora

Puma

Punk Online

Rand Merchant Bank

Red Bulletin

Redds

Rich Mnisi

Saint

Samsung

Simon and Mary

Smirnoff

Showmax

Standard Bank

Sunday Times

Superbalist

Telkom

The Times

The Unlimited

Toughees

Trace Mobile

Trebene

True Love

Vodacom

Wanted

Woman’s Health

Woolworths