I was born in Zurich Switzerland influenced by art, design and photography as my father was a graphic designer.
In the early 70’s a major sea change saw the family move to Sydney Australia. Living on the harbour water’s edge I was consumed by fishing, the ocean and all its goings on. Upon finishing high school, I attended the Australian Maritime College and became a professional fisherman for several years.
Disillusioned with commercial fishing I returned to Sydney where I assisted several professional photographers learning my craft over the years before opening my own studio. The next 25 years was all commissioned photography, working in various countries with all types of briefs eventually being categorised as an automotive photographer.
My mindset changed once again as my direction was more focused on creating my own images which became the catalyst to launch my own stock library specialising in Backplates and 360º Domes aimed at the advertising automotive and transportation market. BearStock.com was born. After many years BearStock has now established itself in the global image stock market allowing my rejuvenated passion to engage once again on commissioned briefs and personal projects.
The magnet of the ocean, coastline and fishing saw the second sea change relocating with my incredibly awesome wife from Sydney to the Far South Coast of NSW. The rugged, unspoilt and sparsely populated coastline with its lifestyle has injected a new inspiration and passion into creating many personal projects, contributing images to BearStock and fulfilling commercial briefs.
Tight lines and screaming reels!
Awards
2024 International Photography Awards Offical Jury Finalist
2023 International Lucie Photography Awards Category Life Style Finalist
2023 Tokyo International Foto Awards Category Advertising Silver Award
2023 Tokyo International Foto Awards Category Life Style Bronze Award
2015 One Eyeland People Category Finalist for “Go Hard or Go Home”
2014 Canon AIPP Australian Photography Book Award Runner Up
2010 Capture Magazine Australia’s Top Advertising Photographer
2009 Capture Magazine Australia’s Top Advertising Photographer
2008 Capture Magazine Australia’s Top Advertising Photographer
2008 Canon AIPP Australian Advertising Photographer of the Year
2007 Canon AIPP Australian Advertising Photographer of the Year
2006 Canon AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year
2006 Canon AIPP Australian Advertising Photographer of the Year
2004 Canon AIPP Australian Advertising Photographer of the Year
2003 Australian Industry Print Awards Gold Duotone Calendar “Can’t stand the weather”
Fuji ACMP Collections Volume 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 & 10
Various:
D&AD Silver, Gold Folio, Award, Japanese D&AD, Caxton, NY One Show
Books:
2013 The House That Rocks (Canon AIPP Australian Photography Book Award Runner Up)
2015 The Necessity of Excess
2019 The Last of the Pittwater Beach Haulers
2024 Unloaded Commercial fishers from Bermagui to Eden
Urs Buhlman Professional Photographer