Ian Kobylanski
Principal Photographer
I’m Ian, a London-based fashion, street, and lifestyle photographer and director. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, I’ve spent the past decade creating commercial and editorial imagery that blends refined storytelling with a natural, candid aesthetic.
In 2023, my fiancée and I left Canada to travel through Australia and Asia before settling in London in the summer of 2024—a long-standing goal to expand our careers and global reach. London is now home, and I’m fully immersed in its creative scene, collaborating with brands and artists to produce elevated still and motion imagery both on location and in my space, Cloud Theory Studio.
With an EU passport arriving in 2025, I look forward to taking on projects across the UK, Europe, North America, and beyond.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a diverse range of clients, including:
“Ian is an absolute pleasure to work with. He is a partner who is extremely professional, efficient and able to anticipate needs both on set and prior to executing a job.
On set, he is agile with business needs and is able to add value to the environment taking place with such ease. The quality of the work that Ian produces consistently exceeds expectations and he does this all with an amazingly supportive attitude. Really truly, cannot recommend working with Ian enough!”
My Journey
My photography career began with the mentorship of my high school teacher, Anil Sharma—Vancouver’s top editorial concert photographer. He instilled in me a fundamental lesson: never compromise on what I want to shoot. His influence drew me toward fashion photography and set me on the path to pursuing it professionally.
While earning my Bachelor of Commerce degree, photography became both a creative outlet and a way to support myself. After university, I spent five years working in software sales, an experience that sharpened my understanding of the corporate world—particularly the importance of communication, managing expectations, and delivering on deadlines. Throughout that time, photography remained my passion, evolving from a side hustle into my full-time career.
Making the leap to photography full-time, I realized that what I find most fulfilling is connecting with people—especially guiding those who aren’t professional models to feel confident in front of the camera. This led me to my niche in lifestyle photography in London: creating organic, candid-feeling images built on trust and natural interaction between photographer and subject.
Beyond commissioned work, I spend my free time immersed in street photography, documenting the world in its unscripted moments. This documentary-style approach is the backbone of my personal work, guiding my travels and influencing the authentic, relaxed aesthetic I bring to every photoshoot.
My Approach
Great photography starts with genuine connection—that’s what sets my approach apart. I prioritize clear communication and direction, ensuring every subject feels at ease in front of the camera. Whether we meet in person or over a video call, establishing rapport beforehand allows us to align on our vision and creates a relaxed, natural atmosphere on the shoot day.
My goal is to make every session engaging and effortless. By minimizing decision-making on the day, I guide subjects through poses, prompts, and angles that bring out candid, authentic expressions—so they can focus on being present rather than posing.
For commercial projects, I take on a creative director role, leading a team of assistants, videographers, stylists, and other collaborators to achieve exceptional results. I welcome close collaboration with agency producers and creative directors, believing the best work comes from shared vision and seamless execution.
My Work in London
While I specialize in commercial lifestyle photography and editorial fashion photography as my primary commissioned services in London, at my core, I am a people photographer. I thrive on working closely with my subjects, guiding them through every step of the process to create images that feel natural, engaging, and impactful.
Many photographers in the advertising world keep their other bread-and-butter services under wraps, but I embrace what makes me a people photographer. Beyond the work showcased in my portfolio, I collaborate with individuals and businesses to produce compelling headshot photography and authentic personal branding photography—helping clients present themselves with confidence.
Perhaps most uniquely (and, to some art buyers and commercial clients, controversially), I am also a dating photographer in London.
There’s no denying that professional dating photography carries a stigma, but the reality is that this work has a measurable impact—I’ve helped clients find their life partners. My clients are sociable, working professionals who are newly single and looking to reintroduce themselves. In every session, I act as their friend with a camera, just as I do in all my photography. It’s a natural extension of my expertise in lifestyle photography—one that enhances my approach to commercial and editorial campaigns while allowing me to build a deeply fulfilling life in my new home of London.
