Cara O’Dowd is a renowned fashion and portrait photographer who is celebrated for her emotive campaigns and intimate portraits. Known for creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere on set, Cara’s emphasis on kindness and empathy shines through in her work. Her approachable and down-to-earth nature helps subjects feel at ease, ensuring she captures their true selves.
Lighting is Cara’s specialty. With a talent for manipulating light to evoke her signature nostalgic style, she seamlessly blends studio lighting with ambient and flash techniques. Her background in shooting 5x4 transparency film, where precision is crucial, has ingrained a high standard of accuracy in her practice.
Cara’s reputation extends beyond her technical skills. Her distinctive portrait style and ability to maintain high energy and fun during shoots—especially with children—make her a sought-after talent. Thanks to her can-do attitude; no situation is beyond her whether it’s torrential rain or a snake on set, Cara always finds a way to get the shots. She is currently working on a personal project titled “Loud Mouth”, a photographic series documenting influential Australian women. Cara explains, “Loud Mouth is a photographic series documenting women who are shaping Australian culture today. Recently, I compiled a list of Australian women I’d most like to photograph and asked myself why. What do I have in common with these women? Why do I want to meet and photograph them so much? The answer was LOUD. It was a list of loud women—whether in voice or deed.”
With a press photographer as a grandfather, photography runs in Cara’s veins. From the age of seven, she gained recognition in her Victorian hometown of Colac for capturing sports events and mastering darkroom techniques. After earning her Commercial Photography degree at RMIT, Cara moved to the UK and then New York to work with prominent fashion photographers like Craig McDean and Jason Bell.
Known for her empathetic professionalism, Cara creates a fun yet focused environment on set, even in challenging situations. Her clients, subjects, and models consistently praise her for making the entire experience both enjoyable and successful.
Clients include; Uniqlo, Michael Hill, Shona Joy, Cotton On, Myer, Harpers Bazaar, Microsoft, Rolling Stone, Sally Hansen, Industrie, Camilla and Marc, Megan Park, Macgraw, Ellery, Quest Apartments, Sony Foundation, Stellar Magazine, Australian Red Cross, Once Was Arnotts, Big W, The Social Outfit, Bravery Co, Castle, The Daily Edited, Munster Kids, Moose Toys, Daughter Co, Binnywear, Cosmopolitan, Jacinta James, Dyspnea, Holly Ryan, Habitual Beauty, Bardot Jnr, Bardot, The Maritime Museum, Novo Shoes, Samantha Wills, Lana Wilkinson, Baxter Boots, Stone and Spice, Suboo, Stevie May, Tallulah .
Testimonials
“Working with Cara is always such a pleasure, we have worked together closely on over 15 successful campaigns for Cotton On Kids over the last 2 years. Cara's ability to transcend studio and location with impeccable lighting and technique has allowed us the flexibility to try new things and execute many wonderful moments. She is understanding of our ever changing, fast paced commercial briefs and always up for a challenge.
With a dynamic on set energy, Cara is authentic, hardworking and someone I can always rely on.”
— Holly Canham, Art Director Cotton On
“I have had the pleasure to work with Cara over the last 5 years and during our time together we have captured impactful campaigns set against some of Australia’s diverse and expansive backdrops. From coastal landscapes, sprawling farms, Mid-century architecture right through to a DIY outdoor studio during difficult times of covid. There is no set too big or small, no brief that is impossible. It has been a pleasure to work with Cara whose enthusiasm and passion and a hands-on approach for her work is captured in every shot.
She is a master story teller.”
-Marsha Vetolskiy, Creative Director
“‘Cara and I had the pleasure of shooting an outdoor campaign on one of the wettest and windiest days on record. And on a day like that, there isn’t anyone else I’d want by my side. Cara’s ability to carry the production with her incredible calm sensibility and determination, and then capture such beautiful imagery under the most insane of conditions, makes her one of the best in the business.’.”
— Ed Macaulay, Snr Art Director
“Weld Stories has worked with Cara for several years now, across a range of content and subject matters, with 'real' people, professional talent, animals and kids. No matter what the setting is, Cara works at speed, delivers to the highest standard, and ensures the set is a positive environment. Cara has a unique ability to put her subjects at ease and it always shows in the final product.”
— Shannon O’Meara, Owner Weld Stories
“Cara is a legend and any output is better for her involvement”
— Jess Irvine, Weld Stories