Our Founder: John Poulakis
Nestled within the heart of Sydney, Cinemotive stands out with its dynamic team of talented photographers and cinematographers dedicated to delivering exceptional quality and service.
Led by founder John Poulakis, a visionary with a background in Graphic Design and Communications, our studio’s driving force has always been a passion for storytelling through the lens of a camera. John’s innate ability to capture love, emotion, and the essence of each moment is at the core of Cinemotive’s philosophy.
A Love for Storytelling and Global Perspective
John's journey into the world of photography and cinematography was born out of his love for storytelling, cultivated through years of working in Graphic Design and Communications. His career, which has taken him around the globe for various assignments, allowed him to explore diverse cultures and perspectives. John recognises that Australia, like his own experiences, represents a rich tapestry of cultural diversity, and he's committed to reflecting this in the stories he tells through his work
Family Man and Musician: The Man Behind the Lens
Beyond his creative pursuits, John is a devoted family man, a loving father to two, and a dedicated partner. His personal experiences have shaped his approach, infusing every project with a deep understanding of the emotional connections that make each story unique.
In a nod to his creative versatility, John also has a musical past. As a bass player, he was a prominent figure in the Sydney live music circuit for seven years during the 90s.This background in music adds another layer of artistry to his storytelling, allowing him to capture not only visuals but also the soulful rhythm of every moment he frames.
Passing on the Vision: Our Talented Team
John has passed on his vision for capturing love and emotion to his hand-picked team of photographers and cinematographers. Each member of our talented team is dedicated to upholding John's commitment to excellence in storytelling and capturing the essence of life's most precious moments
The Backbone of Cinemotive: Meet Kristy Power
However, the studio's backbone is none other than Kristy Power, Cinemotive's Production Manager (John's "real boss," as he humorously puts it). Kristy plays a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless production of all projects, always in alignment with the distinctive Cinemotive style. Supported by our in-house team of photo and video editors, who intimately understand John's vision, Kristy and her team are the driving force that brings every project to life, allowing us to continue crafting the remarkable stories that define Cinemotive.
Meet the core team and discover why Cinemotive is the perfect choice for capturing your special day.
Alex Dona: Senior Video Editor
Meet Alex Dona, our in-house senior video editor extraordinaire. With a knack for crafting captivating short social media teaser reels and a mastery of long-form documentary edits, Alex is the go-to guru for all things video.
An award-winning Sydney-based creative, Alex is a seasoned writer, director, producer, editor, and actor. With over 8 years of industry experience, he has led teams on a wide array of projects, including feature films, shorts, web series, and music videos.
As a valued asset to the Cinemotive team, Alex brings his expertise and creative flair to the wedding industry, expertly weaving together moments to create moving and unforgettable edits that truly capture the essence of your special day.
An award-winning Sydney-based creative, Alex is a seasoned writer, director, producer, editor, and actor. With over 8 years of industry experience, he has led teams on a wide array of projects, including feature films, shorts, web series, and music videos.
As a valued asset to the Cinemotive team, Alex brings his expertise and creative flair to the wedding industry, expertly weaving together moments to create moving and unforgettable edits that truly capture the essence of your special day.
Simon Gorges: Principal Photographer and Photo Editor
Meet Simon Gorges, our principal photographer and photo editor extraordinaire. A lucky duck indeed, Simon is not only a devoted father to two beautiful children, Hunter & Halle, but also a loving husband to his tremendous wife, Carly.
With a wealth of professional photography experience, Simon specialises in capturing authentic emotions. His style is natural, candid, and unscripted, ensuring that every moment he captures tells a genuine story.
Simon believes that wedding photos are essential because they tell the story of one of the most significant events a couple in love can share. He understands that having quality photos is one thing, but images that capture all of the raw emotions and candid moments of the day can truly tell the best story of the day’s events and forever carve them into the history of a loving relationship.
With over 10 years of industry experience, Simon is a great asset to Cinemotive and a valued contributor to not just photographing, but also photo editing, and streamlining our production processes to best serve our couples.
With a wealth of professional photography experience, Simon specialises in capturing authentic emotions. His style is natural, candid, and unscripted, ensuring that every moment he captures tells a genuine story.
Simon believes that wedding photos are essential because they tell the story of one of the most significant events a couple in love can share. He understands that having quality photos is one thing, but images that capture all of the raw emotions and candid moments of the day can truly tell the best story of the day’s events and forever carve them into the history of a loving relationship.
With over 10 years of industry experience, Simon is a great asset to Cinemotive and a valued contributor to not just photographing, but also photo editing, and streamlining our production processes to best serve our couples.
Tim Harris: Principal Photographer
Meet Tim Harris, our principal photographer who believes that photography should always tell the truth. Whether it's capturing the essence of a wedding day, a family portrait, or a pre-wedding shoot, Tim's goal is to produce images that are real, honest, and true.
With over a decade of experience in the industry, Tim understands that storytelling through photography is not always straightforward. He works tirelessly to capture every moment authentically, ensuring that his photos transport you back to the moment they were taken.
Tim firmly believes that there's no need for extensive post-production when the photos themselves already tell the story. Instead, he focuses on being present in the moment, capturing the genuine emotions and interactions as they unfold.
As a principal photographer, Tim works closely with each couple to ensure that they get the most out of his expertise. His dedication, sense of humour, and vibrant personality make him a valued member of the Cinemotive team, and a favourite among our couples.
With over a decade of experience in the industry, Tim understands that storytelling through photography is not always straightforward. He works tirelessly to capture every moment authentically, ensuring that his photos transport you back to the moment they were taken.
Tim firmly believes that there's no need for extensive post-production when the photos themselves already tell the story. Instead, he focuses on being present in the moment, capturing the genuine emotions and interactions as they unfold.
As a principal photographer, Tim works closely with each couple to ensure that they get the most out of his expertise. His dedication, sense of humour, and vibrant personality make him a valued member of the Cinemotive team, and a favourite among our couples.
Raj Sing: Principal Cinematographer
Meet Raj Sing, the heart of our Cinemotive style. With over 8 years of dedicated service to Cinemotive, Raj is a cornerstone of our team, bringing his expertise in cinematography production to every project.
Raj's skills encompass every aspect of cinematography, from shooting and lighting to audio, ensuring that every frame we capture is nothing short of perfection. His extensive experience extends beyond weddings, as he has also worked as a lead cinematographer and Director of Photography (DOP) in feature films, keeping his passion for storytelling alive.
Despite his impressive resume, Raj remains humble and approachable, earning him the admiration of both our team and our couples. His non-obtrusive approach on wedding days ensures that every moment is captured authentically, without disrupting the natural flow of events.
A dear friend to us all, Raj brings a unique blend of professionalism, talent, and warmth to every project he undertakes, making him an invaluable asset to Cinemotive.
Raj's skills encompass every aspect of cinematography, from shooting and lighting to audio, ensuring that every frame we capture is nothing short of perfection. His extensive experience extends beyond weddings, as he has also worked as a lead cinematographer and Director of Photography (DOP) in feature films, keeping his passion for storytelling alive.
Despite his impressive resume, Raj remains humble and approachable, earning him the admiration of both our team and our couples. His non-obtrusive approach on wedding days ensures that every moment is captured authentically, without disrupting the natural flow of events.
A dear friend to us all, Raj brings a unique blend of professionalism, talent, and warmth to every project he undertakes, making him an invaluable asset to Cinemotive.
Gabriel Machado: Principal Photographer
Meet Gabriel Machado, our beloved principal photographer and a cherished member of the Cinemotive family. Gabriel has been with us since the beginning, infusing our team with his approachable personality, and warm South American charm.
With his deep-hearted kindness and friendly nature, Gabriel quickly becomes a favourite among our couples. Known for his love of coffee and siestas, he brings a refreshing energy to every shoot, earning him the affectionate nickname "Coffee-drinking, siesta-loving Mexican Labour."
Gabriel's photography skills are truly exceptional, capturing the essence of every moment with authenticity, love and grace. His keen eye for detail and ability to connect with our couples ensures that each image reflects the unique beauty of their love story.
A valued member of our team, Gabriel's passion for photography shines through in every shot, making him an indispensable asset to Cinemotive.
With his deep-hearted kindness and friendly nature, Gabriel quickly becomes a favourite among our couples. Known for his love of coffee and siestas, he brings a refreshing energy to every shoot, earning him the affectionate nickname "Coffee-drinking, siesta-loving Mexican Labour."
Gabriel's photography skills are truly exceptional, capturing the essence of every moment with authenticity, love and grace. His keen eye for detail and ability to connect with our couples ensures that each image reflects the unique beauty of their love story.
A valued member of our team, Gabriel's passion for photography shines through in every shot, making him an indispensable asset to Cinemotive.
Mikey Phan: Principal Photographer
Meet Mikey Phan, our favorite little man with a massive heart and an unparalleled passion for photography. Mikey has been an integral part of the Cinemotive family since the very beginning, infusing our team with his unique style and unwavering dedication.
With his edgy and modern approach to photography, Mikey adds a distinctive flair to Cinemotive's signature style. His love for cars, especially his own distinct little red Mazda MX5 racer, reflects his boundless energy and commitment to excellence. Rest assured, Mikey has no problem arriving on time to capture every moment of your special day.
Adored by our couples for his big warm heart and friendly nature, Mikey brings a level of expertise to our photography that is truly exceptional. His ability to connect with people and capture their essence in every shot makes him an invaluable asset to Cinemotive. Simply put, everyone loves Mikey.
With his edgy and modern approach to photography, Mikey adds a distinctive flair to Cinemotive's signature style. His love for cars, especially his own distinct little red Mazda MX5 racer, reflects his boundless energy and commitment to excellence. Rest assured, Mikey has no problem arriving on time to capture every moment of your special day.
Adored by our couples for his big warm heart and friendly nature, Mikey brings a level of expertise to our photography that is truly exceptional. His ability to connect with people and capture their essence in every shot makes him an invaluable asset to Cinemotive. Simply put, everyone loves Mikey.
Raffie Tarakjian: Principal Cinematographer
Meet Raffie Tarakjian, our esteemed principal cinematographer who has been an integral part of the Cinemotive family for over 9 years. With his unparalleled passion and unwavering commitment, Raffie is not just a trusted team member but also a dear friend to us all.
Bringing a wealth of expertise in commercial film production, Raffie specializes in audio recording and excels in capturing our long-form wedding films. His mastery of our multi-camera setup ensures that every angle and moment is flawlessly documented, delivering cinematic masterpieces that exceed expectations.
With Raffie behind the lens, you can trust that your wedding day will be immortalized in all its beauty and emotion. His dedication to his craft and genuine love for storytelling make him an invaluable asset to the Cinemotive team.
Bringing a wealth of expertise in commercial film production, Raffie specializes in audio recording and excels in capturing our long-form wedding films. His mastery of our multi-camera setup ensures that every angle and moment is flawlessly documented, delivering cinematic masterpieces that exceed expectations.
With Raffie behind the lens, you can trust that your wedding day will be immortalized in all its beauty and emotion. His dedication to his craft and genuine love for storytelling make him an invaluable asset to the Cinemotive team.
Andres Prochuk: Principal Cinematographer
Meet Andres Prochuk, our charismatic South American principal cinematographer and cherished friend of over 6 years. Andres's expertise is unmatched, boasting extensive experience in both wedding and commercial cinematography.
With a keen eye for camera creativity and a passion for storytelling, Andres elevates every project he touches with his unique perspective and artistic flair. His unparalleled dedication to his craft inspires us all, making him an invaluable member of the Cinemotive family.
Beyond his technical skills, Andres's kind-hearted nature and unobtrusive approach make him a favorite among our couples. We feel truly blessed to have Andres on our team, where his warmth and talent shine brightly in every frame.
With a keen eye for camera creativity and a passion for storytelling, Andres elevates every project he touches with his unique perspective and artistic flair. His unparalleled dedication to his craft inspires us all, making him an invaluable member of the Cinemotive family.
Beyond his technical skills, Andres's kind-hearted nature and unobtrusive approach make him a favorite among our couples. We feel truly blessed to have Andres on our team, where his warmth and talent shine brightly in every frame.
Hayley Yeoh: Senior Video Editor
Meet Hayley Yeoh, our senior video editor extraordinaire. With extensive experience in both wedding and commercial video editing, Hayley brings a meticulous and passionate approach to her craft that takes our wedding films to the next level.
Her keen eye for detail and innate sense of storytelling elevate each project, ensuring that every frame shines with brilliance and emotion. Hayley's dedication to her work is unmatched, and her creative vision is truly inspiring.
A valued member of our team for over 5 years, Hayley is not only a masterful editor but also a dear friend to Kristy, our production manager. Together, they form an unstoppable duo, ensuring that every Cinemotive production exceeds expectations.
Her keen eye for detail and innate sense of storytelling elevate each project, ensuring that every frame shines with brilliance and emotion. Hayley's dedication to her work is unmatched, and her creative vision is truly inspiring.
A valued member of our team for over 5 years, Hayley is not only a masterful editor but also a dear friend to Kristy, our production manager. Together, they form an unstoppable duo, ensuring that every Cinemotive production exceeds expectations.
The Cinemotive Crew Unveiled: Where Quirky Meets Clicky
Step into our world behind the scenes, where our team’s quirkiest moments meet the click of the camera. From coffee-fueled brainstorming sessions to hilarious mishaps, get ready to chuckle and see the fun side of Cinemotive!
Testimonial
Client Feedback.
Maria Papathomas1. December, 2023To John, and the lovely men we worked with on our wedding day - Gabriel, Raj, Mickey and Hardy. Thank you all so very much for being a part of our special day last Saturday! We truly could not have asked for a better group of people to work with. You are all amazing. John, the pre wedding shoot was a blast and you really made Gary and I feel so comfortable in front of the camera which we loved so much! Gabriel, Raj, Mickey and Hardy - both Gary and I had such a great time working with you from morning till night. You were so friendly, easygoing and upbeat. We felt super comfortable around you and forgot all the cameras were around and just relaxed and enjoyed the moments. The boys were so professional and efficient, we know the weather wasn’t the best but they kept us at ease and powered through. From the lead up to the wedding we couldn’t fault a thing, nothing was too much of an ask. By the end of our wedding night the boys felt like a part of the family! The whole experience was just wonderful. John and the boys at Cinemotive - you are incredible and we could not be any happier! Excited to see the final product! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Gary and Maria xxxAymen Nemz15. November, 2023The absolute best to work with. All the way from the first consultation/meeting to the big day. Can't wait to see our videos!!Stephanie Philipov5. November, 2023Cinemotive just shot our wedding day, and we couldn’t be happier with the team! Raj and Raffie were so professional, we felt like we were in safe hands the entire 14+ hour day. Very personable too, great energy and fun to work with. Thank you, team!Josh Wigney4. October, 2023John and the team at Cinemotive were absolutely fantastic. From the lead up to the wedding (including our pre wedding shoot which the photos were amazing) to the day we could not fault their service. John was also happy to answer an email, or set up a meeting if needed, and was so helpful throughout the whole process. Not only were they extremely professional, the team brought a positive and upbeat energy to the day which helped calm everyone’s nerves. We cannot thank John, Tim, Mikey and Andrew enough for everything they did on the day. We cannot wait to see the final product! Kelly & JoshKiara Araco18. September, 2023John and his team were AMAZING! They made the day run smooth and were all over everything. We can't wait to see our wedding photos as they did the most incredible job with our pre-wedding shoot.Tony DimSim18. September, 2023John, Gabriel and Andrew were the best to deal with from the beginning till the end. Very professional and made everyone feel relaxed so we can enjoy our wedding.George Yousef7. August, 2023Dear John and the team at Cinemotive, We don’t know where to begin with thanking you for partaking in our special day. Your charisma, friendly nature, patience and hilarious comments and commentary kept us laughing the whole day. By the end of the day you felt like part of the family. Thank you for making our big day that much easier with your genuine care, professionalism and effortless skill. We can’t wait to see our wedding video and all the magical moments you captured for us! Lots of love, George and Christine YousefMarie6. July, 2023Right from the start, John was incredibly professional, attentive, and passionate about his craft. His attention to detail and commitment to capturing those priceless moments really stood out. I was blown away by the quality of their work and their ability to make the entire process so effortless and enjoyable to capture genuine moments.Samantha Vassallo3. July, 2023We had the best experiance with Cinemotive! From the Pre- shoot to the laughs on our wedding day, the team made it easy and enjoyable. On the most special day of our lives it was important to have the best! Highly recommend!Robert Galati7. June, 2023One of the most talented and professional film & photography crews in Sydney. 5 stars is not enough!
Our Studio
24 Fred Street
Lilyfield NSW 2040
Email us
info@cinemotive.com.au production@cinemotive.com.au
Call us
02 9016 5355 0401 817 642