About Carlz J Söda

Melbourne Fashion & Personal Branding Photographer

Photographer & Creative Director

Meet Carlz J Söda

With over 18 years of experience in the creative industry, I bring a unique blend of photography, design, and creative direction to every project. Based in Melbourne, I specialise in fashion photography, personal branding, and editorial portraiture, working with brands, entrepreneurs, and creatives to craft imagery that elevates their presence and connects with their audience. My approach combines commercial precision with creative storytelling, ensuring every image works as hard for your brand as you do.

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A woman with long dark hair, wearing a purple sweater, smiling while holding a camera up to her eye, taking a photo. There are colorful portraits in the background.

From Graphic Designer to Photographer

My Background

Throughout my career, I’ve worked across multiple sectors, from e-commerce and hospitality to tourism, fashion, and corporate branding. My work has been recognised with awards, featured in publications, and taken me across Australia and the globe, collaborating with like-minded entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

Whether it’s a high-end fashion campaign, a strategic personal branding shoot, or lifestyle imagery for a tourism destination, my mission remains the same: to deliver high-quality, engaging content that reflects my client’s vision and values.

Woman kneeling on sandy desert ground taking a photograph with a camera, with sunlight shining from the top left corner and trees in the background.
Melbourne photographer specialising in personal branding, corporate headshots & fashion photography
Melbourne photographer specialising in personal branding, corporate headshots & fashion photography
Melbourne photographer specialising in personal branding, corporate headshots & fashion photography
Melbourne photographer specialising in personal branding, corporate headshots & fashion photography
Melbourne photographer specialising in personal branding, corporate headshots & fashion photography
Photographer taking picture of a woman in a studio setting with professional lighting and backdrop. The woman is holding a bubble and standing on a concrete floor beside a yellow surface.

When I’m off the clock

Travel make my heart sing

When I’m not on set or in the studio, you’ll usually find me road tripping in my Jeep, hanging out with my two border collies, or collecting passport stamps. Travel and connection are core to my creative vision, influencing the way I see and capture the world.

Explore my travel prints >

A woman lying on her stomach on a stone dock, holding a camera, with a body of clear blue water nearby

Tutorials and behind the scenes

Carlz J Söda on YouTube

My YouTube channel is where I share photography expertise, creative business insights, and real conversations about the challenges and opportunities in the modern creative industry. From behind-the-scenes lighting tutorials and personal branding tips to discussions on beauty standards, AI, and visual storytelling, my goal is to help creatives elevate their craft, build sustainable businesses, and think differently about their work.

Subscribe to my channel >

  • A young woman with natural curly hair, wearing a halter top decorated with iridescent sequins, poses with her hand gently touching her face, looking into the camera, against a blurred blue sky and ocean background. Text overlay on the image reads "TOP 20 the capture AWARDS."

  • An aerial view of colorful boats docked on a river near a sandy shoreline, with the text 'CJS Top 10 the capture Awards 2023' overlaid.

  • Award certificate for the Mono Awards 2022, presented by SanDisk Professional, listing Carlz Soderstrom as a top 30 people awardee, with sponsor logos at the bottom.

  • Certificate of commendation for Carlz Soderstrom from The Mono Awards 2022, presented by SanDisk Professional, for photography work titled "Stay With Me" in the monochrome category, signed by James Ostinga, with sponsor logos for Kudos Cameras and Midland Insurance Brokers.

  • Certificate of recognition for Carly Soderstrom for a Seascape photograph in the Top 30 at the 2023 Landscape Awards, presented by Eizo, with sponsor logos including DJI, OM System, SanDisk Professional, and Australian Conservation Foundation.

  • Certificate of recognition from the 2023 Landscape Awards for Carly Soderstrom's work titled Paradisus URBS, with a green leaf pattern background and logos of sponsors including Eizo, DJI, OM System, SanDisk, and the Australian Conservation Foundation.

  • A portrait of a young man sitting on a concrete ledge by the water, looking at the camera. He has dark hair in dreadlocks and is wearing a jacket. The background features the sea with gentle waves and a clear sky. The image has an overlay of a white laurel wreath and text indicating it is an award for a top emerging photographer in Asia for 2023.

  • A man with gray hair and beard in a suit with a blue lapel pin, sitting with crossed arms, in front of a geometric patterned gray background, with a laurels graphic and text indicating a top portrait photographer award for 2023.

  • A portrait photograph of an older man with gray hair and beard, dressed in formal attire, with an award or recognition overlay indicating he is part of Australia's top emerging photographers in 2023.