Dale May | NY Advertising Photographer, Director & CGI Artist

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Dale May | NY Advertising & Pharma Photographer, CGI Artist

FULL-SPECTRUM VISUAL ARTIST.

Every Layer. One Signature.

Dale May is a multi award-winning New York-based advertising photographer, commercial video director and photoreal CGI artist specializing in pharmaceutical, healthcare and global brand advertising campaigns. He creates comprehensive visual campaigns from a single creative source: photography, video, CGI, VFX, AI, animation, creative retouching, and post production, all under one unified vision.

Horse Whisperer: Cowgirl model rearing up on a horse in a CGI-built Montana landscape. Hybrid studio photography and photorealistic CGI by Dale May.

FULL-SERVICE ADVERTISING PRODUCTION: PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO, CGI, VFX, ANIMATION & AI

Today's advertising campaigns require:

• Portrait & Lifestyle Photography

• Photorealistic CGI Environments & Products

• Directors & Video Production

• Visual Effects (VFX)

• Animation

• Complex Post Production (Still & Video)

• AI Assisted Asset Generation

Traditionally, that means hiring multiple vendors, multiple teams, and managing creative across departments.

I eliminate that complexity.

Benedict Cumberbatch: Communication Arts Photography Annual 56 Award of Excellence. Environmental portrait by celebrity and advertising photographer Dale May.

ADVERTISING PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMATIC BRAND STORYTELLING

My work is built on the foundation of a strong portrait, a negotiation between truth and performance. From there, creative technology builds the world around it, strengthening the story and shaping the best path forward to a powerful campaign.

Genentech pharmaceutical advertising campaign: lifestyle portrait of patients on motorcycles. Healthcare and pharma advertising photography and CGI by Dale May.

PHOTOREALISTIC CGI CREATION FOR PRODUCT & ENVIRONMENT

As a NY based advertising photographer and CGI artist, I create custom photorealistic CGI environments, props, and product extensions that integrate seamlessly with both video and still photography. Every environment is modeled, lit, textured, and rendered from scratch to match the specific campaign it will contain, with no stock environments and no shortcuts.

[See the CGI Process and BTS Animations]

DIRECTION & VIDEO PRODUCTION

Commercial video production for advertising and pharma campaigns, from broadcast spots to digital and social. I direct and shoot with the same visual language as the still campaign, ensuring brand consistency across platforms.

INTEGRATED VFX, ANIMATION & POST PRODUCTION

Advanced visual effects, compositing, retouching, and animation. From subtle realism to fully cinematic sequences, everything is built to broadcast and agency standards.

AI ENHANCED CREATIVE PRODUCTION FOR ADVERTISING

I use AI as a tool, never the author of the work. Integrated selectively and only with client approval, it accelerates concept development, expands environment creation, supports animation, and streamlines complex production workflows.

Every project begins with original photography and video capture. AI is layered in only when appropriate, within a closed system, so the final work remains ownable, copyrightable, and rooted in real imagery.

For more information on Dale's use of AI in advertising production, visit the AI Workflow page.

THE HYBRID ADVANTAGE

Seamless integration between photography, video, and CGI

A unified creative vision from concept through delivery

Faster production and intelligent adaptation to creative changes

Fewer compromises between departments

One clear point of communication

Agencies searching for a pharmaceutical advertising photographer who can also direct video and build photorealistic CGI environments often face fragmented production. I unify the entire campaign under one creative lead.

Live Free Or Die: IPA 2024 Silver Award winner in Digitally Enhanced. Actor Alexander Patsos riding a CGI chopper motorcycle with his CGI piglet. Hybrid photography and CGI by Dale May.

LET'S BUILD AN ENTIRE CAMPAIGN - NOT JUST PART OF IT

Based in New York. Available worldwide.

Recently featured in Workbook for the Camcevi HCP campaign for Accord BioPharma.

My portfolio spans advertising campaigns, pharmaceutical work, celebrity portraits, CGI, lifestyle, conceptual and personal projects. Start with the section most relevant to your brief.

Take a look at my PORTFOLIO.

Have more questions about working with Dale May? Visit the Full FAQ Page for more information about campaign production, CGI environments, AI workflows, and working with advertising agencies.

To learn more about how hybrid photography and CGI production works for pharmaceutical advertising campaigns, read the full Process & How It Works article.