Member in the spotlight: Edo Kars
Edo Kars, Photographer
‘We need to keep the standard in advertising & design as high as possible. Therefore we need to challenge and inspire each other. That’s where ADCN comes in.’
MEMBER IN THE SPOTLIGHT: EDO KARS
WHAT AND WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST ADCN ACTIVITY?
Back in the 90s – yes really that long ago – I was a full time assistant for two photographers here in Amsterdam and they were always excited to goto this event I’d never heard of: the ADCN Awards Ceremony. Budget-wise this was of course out of reach being an assistant. At some point there wasa spare ticket that no one was using and I got invited.I remember that night as very impressive and very inspiring. Nowadays we know all the work, we see it all during the year. But back then, there was no internet and no Facebook. So there still was a lot of work that surprised you.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
At the moment our team is still finishing up a campaign we did for Lenscrafters sunglasses, assigned by Marcel (Publicis) in Paris. Great creative ideas and I think we managed pretty well in execution. Hopefully it will be released soon so we can show it to you.
WHAT WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
That is a difficult question, because we make a lot of different work. We can be proud of being part of a charity awareness campaign, because it is such a great goal and we shot a very emotional portrait. But on the other hand, photographically it is just a portrait.We have also been shooting all Motorola advertising in the US for a year. That is a bigger achievement business wise, but probably not the best creative photography ever. Or we could choose the most difficult production we did, or an award winning photograph?What I think I’m most proud of is being part of a team of professionals that always aims for the best result possible within that situation. We are the problem solvers. No matter what lay out you come up with, no matter what idea, no matter what budget, we will find a way. And it always looks good. That’s because we have such a good team, it certainly is not just me. 🙂
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED DURING YOUR CAREER?
Keep doing what you are doing, don’t try to change yourself.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM PROJECT/BRIEF TO WORK ON?
I love good print ads, sometimes the most simple ideas are the best. So please come on and be creative and stop putting packshots in abri’s, mupi’s and other outdoor possibilities. That is not what they are designed for. Outdoor advertising can be the biggest public photo exhibition for advertising agencies and their clients, so why not use it that way?
WHAT WORK FROM OUR ARCHIVES MAKES YOU THINK ‘I WISH I’D DONE THAT’ AND WHY?
Although I’m a photographer, the first thing that pops in my mind is still The Elephant for Rolo! Great idea, great execution (considering the year it was made)!