Creative director for hire · Campaigns · Activations · Editorial
Seven years at IBM's experience agency, then Head of Strategy for North America, then Origine.
5.0 on Google · 51 reviews · 120+ brand shoots
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What clients say
“Man these are incredible. Thank you again for everything yesterday.”
“I highly recommend Nicolas. His results were outstanding and his attention to detail is rare.”
“His branding expertise was greatly appreciated in bringing new insights to our upcoming campaigns, as well as driving the shoots to create quality content.”
“The success of the photos is a huge boon to us.”
“Nico is the kind of agency partner in-house marketers dream of. He cut through the noise and delivered.”
“Nico's work is always outstanding. He is a pleasure to work with and his photos and video present our events and products so beautifully.”
A pre-production call before every shoot settles the shot list, the look and where each image will run. When the brand sends its own references, as Montblanc, lululemon and Google each did, I plan the day around them.
Concept, casting, locations and light are set before the shoot day. At the American Express F1 campaign, I cast the people from my own network, checked they had no ties to competing banks and directed wardrobe.
One director on every production, with a second camera, a set designer or a food stylist when the brief calls for them. A larger campaign adds more crew, briefed and directed by me. Contracts run through Origine Strategic Studio Inc., one supplier for the whole production.
The brand team reviews the photos live on a screen connected to the camera, or the same day. TAG Heuer's finished reel went to the brand's retail marketing director for approval. IWC's recap film and photos went to Mercedes.
The first edited photos within 24 hours when the deadline is tight. Breitling's full gallery arrived the same night, and Michael Kors's 60 photos went out the next morning.
All edited photos arrive within one week, with usage rights for your campaign, brand book, social media, press and website. Rights are set by territory, medium and duration, agreed in the brief before the day.
Selected work
Common questions
Often, and happily. Agencies book me to meet their client's standard on set: experienced direction, a calm shoot and delivery on the agreed date. Their plan stays intact, and their client sees the work handled with care.
Usage is agreed up front by territory, medium and duration, in the terms procurement teams use. The brand gets the rights the launch actually needs, with no surprises afterward. I have priced usage this way since 2022.
Yes, and most campaigns here are planned that way. One director for both keeps the photos and the video consistent. The crew is sized so neither one holds up the other.
Two to four weeks covers most campaigns, with room for concept, casting, wardrobe, and locations. Planning before the shoot is what makes fast delivery possible after it. When a launch date is fixed, the plan is built backward from that date.
The brand reviews the work before it goes anywhere. When the camera is connected to a screen, that happens photo by photo on the day. For video, I send the edit to the brand contact for approval. TAG Heuer's finished reel went through the brand's retail marketing director, and IWC's recap film went to Mercedes for approval.
It starts from the brief and the brand's own references, then concept, casting, wardrobe, locations and light are set before the shoot day. I direct the set, shoot and finish the edit. One person is responsible for the idea from the brief to the final photo.
Yes, often. I am in Montréal and London all the time, and productions run wherever the brand needs them.
Book now
Send the brief and the rough timing. I reply within one business day with a clear next step.
Or write directly: nico@nicolasabou.com
Or call: +1 514 226 7699
Or schedule a call
If talking is easier than writing, pick a time and I call you. Thirty minutes, nothing to prepare.
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