Vale Noel Holly: Legendary Perth photographer
Extremely sad news today with the passing over the weekend of Noel Holly, one of the true legends of Perth Advertising.
Holly had a highly decorated career in Western Australia, blazing the way and providing inspiration for many of Perth’s photographers. In the 80s and 90s no one came close to his talent and contribution to the photographic industry.
Holly had been unwell for some time. Condolences to his family, his Illustrations family, and all his close friends. A Facebook memoriam page has been set up which contains this dedication from former model Liz Carberry, amongst others:
“RIP dear Noel.
Hard to believe no more grumpiness, no more funny lines and sayings and mannerisms.
You were the king of the studio and for so many of us it was a home away from home. We were the lucky ones to have that time with you. You transformed us from ‘the girls’ into who ever you needed and we loved it.
Such excitement to climb those stairs and enter your world. You were my mentor in the beginning and always remained my strength.
If I said thank you a hundred times I wish I could tell you a hundred times again.”
Wayne Vinten on working with Noel:
Very sad to hear that Noel has passed away. Lots of fond memories working with Noel over many years. We had a lot of fun up in Cockatoo Island in the 80’s. Every time I saw Noel I would ask the same question. “How are you Noel?” His answer was the same over the 26 years I knew him. “Shithouse.” It was a privilege to have worked and known Noel. Condolences to his family and friends.
7 Comments
How very sad. As you’ve said, Noel was a real legend and the benchmark of quality for many years. We had to fight to get the budgets to be able to afford him. Noel was also the first photographer I worked with to make the transition to digital. Rest in peace mate.
That is simply too bad. Noel was without doubt industry pioneer, infamous scallywag, brilliantly creative and superbly idiosyncratic. He lived that characteristic our industry continually needs – passion. But beneath his often gruff exterior lay a very funny and warm soul – as evidenced by the Cockatoo Island shoot to which Wayne refers. Noel ain’t gone. He’s just in another realm.
John Ilian
No more time to suffer
Good Bye Noel
You were one of the few masters, in the early days of Perth Advertising
You always did more, you always went a few steps further
You could see what others could not
Second best was never good enough
You had a passion for the best result, an attitude that most could never comprehend
A skill that many could not appreciate
You would not take much shit from anyone
You would help so many
I am glad that we met in passing
You were bloody expensive
BUT YOU WERE THE BEST
Not bad for a battler born in Kalgoorlie
One of the “old school”. It was a pleasure to know Noël.
Rest peacefully
Commercial Advertising Photographer. Pioneer. Brilliant. Creative. Often grumpy. Always passionate. One of the early Presidents of the Perth Art Directors Club pre the PADC Awards era in the early eighties. The advertising industry honours and salutes you. Condolences to friends and family – from the PADC.
A legend .A true great. I shall miss him.
Beautiful shot of Noel.
I just stumbled across this sad news about Noel! Only this week, after hearing sad news of our dearest Ruth Tarvydas, as if that was not shocking and sad enough.
Just now, I was just looking for the best photographer of food products for some one to view. I knew Noel was the best around and he was ‘always’ around. Working, working, working. To work with Noel was not only a professional privilege but knowing his crazy ways of being a perfectionist, you knew he was the one guy who could make ‘near on perfection’ happen.
Anyone who worked for him would be so grateful now, because they know he was the best. Then later years to meet your beautiful daughter, she was around 12 years old when we last saw each other,
Good memories dear ‘Uncle Noel’.