Dale May | NY Advertising Photographer, Director & CGI Artist

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Dale May | NY Advertising & Pharma Photographer, CGI Artist

DALE MAY FULL-SPECTRUM VISUAL ARTIST

Every Layer. One Signature.

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

Dale May is a multi award-winning New York-based advertising photographer, commercial video director and photorealistic CGI artist specializing in global brand, consumer, healthcare and pharmaceutical 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.

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

Full-Service Advertising Production: Photography, Video, CGI, VFX, Animation & AI

Today's advertising campaigns require:

Portrait & Lifestyle Photography

Photorealistic CGI Environments & Products

Direction & 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.

Genentech pharmaceutical advertising campaign: lifestyle portrait of patients on motorcycles. Healthcare and pharma advertising photography and CGI by 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, everything in service of the story and the campaign it carries.

Photorealistic CGI Creation for Product & Environment

As a New York 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. No stock environments. 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.

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.

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.

THEHYBRIDADVANTAGE

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.