Paddock-to-plate content for the original few. Is that you?

High-end journalism and photography, human-led by choice.I'm Cobey Bartels, an Australian-based, globally-operating freelance creative with an established background in print and television media. From the word, to the frame, to the ad, consider me your paddock-to-plate solution.

The Word

Longform content that commands attention, not just clicks. My process involves in-the-field reporting, intimate interviews and prolific note-taking, as I uncover the obscurities, mannerisms and messaging often missed. The result is keepsake content with a pulse, nuanced yet deeply relatable – human. This style of narrative non-fiction, or cinematic storytelling, suits brands or titles that refuse to mimic and instead intend to influence.

The Frame

Photojournalism that exposes the details, subtleties and emotions often overlooked. Visuals should be as tactile as the paper they're printed on, or screen they occupy, which is why I focus on capturing products, people and events in a way that feels found rather than staged.

The Ad

Bespoke advertising assets that are uniquely cohesive, with the word and the frame conceptualised by one mind. Cut through the noise and achieve genuine creative synergy across your advertising assets. Why use a handful of creatives, who are seldom on the same page, when you can use one?

The Results

Across hundreds of published editorial projects, photoshoots and advertising campaigns, I've maintained an authentic, unashamedly human-first approach. Like the artisans of old, I strive to observe, gather, capture and create with intention rather than pace, opting simply for a notepad, field recorder and camera. Why use AI-powered note-taking when I can listen back to interviews, reliving and translating captured emotion to create carefully-crafted stories? If you resonate with thorough, uniquely human content, and wish to share keepsake stories that live on beyond the wash of ordinary content flooding the ether, we'll be a great fit.

The next move

I’m not the partner for businesses or publications that want an average result, or wish to mimic their competition. I produce original, authentically human content, with no artificial influence. Want intimate, engaging written and visual storytelling that'll stand the test of time? Let's talk.