A Hasselblad camera in the Living Image studio

About Living Image

Forty-plus yearsof looking properly.

Simon Carroll, photographer.

G'day, I am Simon

I photograph the people and animals you would miss the most.

Pull up a chair. I am Simon Carroll, and I have been behind a camera for 40+ years. Long enough to learn that the photographs people treasure are almost never the ones they planned.

It is your daughter's grin before she grows into it. The old dog who still waits at the gate. The way your family falls together on the couch when nobody is posing. You are living those moments right now, and you are too busy being in them to see them. Seeing them is my job.

You will not find a studio to drive to. I bring the studio to your lounge room, or we meet on a beach, in the city, or somewhere in the Yarra Valley that already means something to you. Home is where kids are themselves and dogs behave like dogs, so that is where the good photographs are.

Nervous about being photographed? Nearly everyone is. Give me ten minutes and a cup of coffee and you will forget the camera is there. 6,300 clients in, I have not lost one yet.

The photograph is only the start. What you take home is finished archival artwork, made for a particular wall in your home and made well enough to be handed down. One day somebody will stand in front of it and say, that is exactly how she was.

Along the way the camera has done some good. Our coffee table books, German Shepherds of Australia and Shoot the Dog, have raised $120K for animal rescue. And if it is a business headshot you are after, that is a separate craft. It lives with our sister studio, Amazing Headshots.

If someone came to mind while you were reading this, that is who we should photograph. Let's have a chat.

When you photograph people in colour, you photograph their clothes. When you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their souls.
Ted Grant

40+ years: behind the camera, professionally
6,300: happy clients
12,000: cups of coffee, roughly
$120K: raised for animal rescue

Portrait of Georgie from the McLaren family

A portrait when it mattered most

The stories that found their place on the wall.

I cannot speak highly enough of Simon's incredible professionalism, compassion, and artistry. My beloved 10.5-year-old German Shepherd, Georgie Girl, was unexpectedly diagnosed with terminal cancer. Overwhelmed with grief, I contacted Simon for a final photoshoot, knowing time was fleeting. Despite his own challenges, Simon rushed to my home and captured our last precious moments together on a gloomy, heart-wrenching day. The photos he created are pure artistry, a priceless gift during an excruciating time. Simon’s kindness and talent shine through in every image, and I will forever treasure these memories of Georgie Girl. Thank you, Simon, for your beautiful soul and extraordinary work.

Ange M

More words from families who have lived with the result

Pet portrait from the Bickford family experience

Simon has taken family portraits for us on several occasions over the last few years. He has always captured a true image of our family and how we relate to each other. Every time we have had a wonderful experience and the photographs have been exceptional, he even managed to get smiling photos of my young grand daughter when she seemed to be doing nothing but cry all day. The images are beautifully sharp and composed and the final presentation is very classy. I would always use Simon for our family photos and very highly recommend Simon and Living Image for any photographic work.

Sharon B

Portrait of Gordon from the Cottle family

We spent the morning with Simon at his studio with my bouncy 20 month old GSD, Gordon. Simon did a brilliant job in getting some amazing shots of Gordon. An experience I highly recommend and we will definitely do an update shoot when Gordon gets a brother or sister down the track! Thanks!

Penny C

Portrait of Kaden from the Harris family

Took up an amazing opportunity to participate in the book German Shepherds of Australia and raise money for German Shepherd Rescue Victoria. From the model interview right through to the photo shoot Simon and his team were a pleasure to work with, both Kaden and I had lots of fun during the photo shoot. The photos are absolutely stunning and I am looking forward to seeing the finished product of the book. Thank You

Kaitlin H

Black-and-white portrait of Kai from the Clifton family

Simon was so loverly and wonderful with Kai, the photo session was a blast! The photos were stunning and the coffee book was amazing and great quality, highly recommended!

Rebekah C

What can I say when it comes to professionalism and creativity Simon is definitely the person to see, he has been in the industry for along long time. We had a glorious photoshoot with our German Shepherd Luna at home and also down at the beach. After a few hours the photos were ready, we were invited to the studio to view all the shots. Nice comfortable atmosphere, coffee and tea offered and then the viewing on the projector against the wall all I can say is what a perfect experience. Thank you Simon and now we have the perfect photos that capture Luna in her purest form.

Adsie B

Fine-art portrait of Saf and Alf from the Gribben family

We are absolutely blown away by the beautiful photographs Simon created for us. The quality is spot on and the whole process was enjoyable! Simon was so natural with our dogs, and his calm approach got the best out of them. I’m really glad we went ahead with this as we now have beautiful memories hanging on our wall.

Deb G

Black-and-white portrait of Luna from the James family

Simon was great! His work is beautiful and what we bought was truly a masterpiece. Simon was really friendly and understandable. I have provided some pics of the finished studio coffee table book! This definitely is going to be in our family for many years to come. Thanks heaps Simon and all the best!

Leighton J

Pet portrait from the Rew family collection

Simon is amazing and I would not hesitate to recommend him. I treasure all the family portraits he has taken of my family over the past 15 years. Feel so lucky to have found him. Always impossible to choose a favourite photo as they are all so fantastic.

Jane S

Square studio portrait of Della from the Southward family

Simon was amazing at capturing our beautiful German Shepherd Della and our family. We absolutely adore the images he captured. Simon is calm and patient and made the whole experience effortless (which is saying something as we had a newborn at home). We will treasure these photos for a lifetime. Thank you Simon.

Kate S

Portrait of Delilah Jones from the Atyeo family

We had Simon photograph our dogs (2 rescue whippets) for his annual "Shoot the Dog" Coffee Table Book. Not only was he hardworking, professional and very friendly, his photos were incredible! We purchased several framed photos from him, and are going back to get some more soon. We put two of our mates onto him with two big boofy boxers and the owners were over the moon. His staff were also very lovely and accommodating. Highly recommended.

Todd N