Don is aided and entertained by three talented staff members: assistant photographer Monique Heydenrych, photo keyworder Jane Beaumont and retoucher Tracey Montgomery.

Don founded the business in 2007 after discovering there was more to life than working for big companies. Rapid Eye Media benefits from his training in the arts, sciences and business, all of which intersect in commercial photography.

In his previous life, he worked as a writer, editor, photographer, designer and manager in print and online publishing. Career highlights include having served as managing editor and science editor of The Sunday Independent and being entrusted with the birth of Independent Online (IOL) as launch editor.

In the 1990s he spent a few years working in London on The Times and The Independent. Since returning to South Africa, he has designed the look and feel of several major newspapers.

He has also acted as a publication design and production consultant to major government organisations and private-sector companies.

As an entertaining sideline, he produces dummy newspapers as props for feature films. These have included Lord of War (starring Nicolas Cage) and The Blood Diamond (Leonardo DiCaprio).
 

Don has shifted his focus to his expanding photographic business in recent years, and he is available for assignments at reasonable rates.

He has just signed a contract with Getty Images, representing the international pinnacle of recognition for photo library work. And with sales of 30,000 images a year, he is by far the most successful South African photographer offering his pictures through North America's top-selling agency, iStockphoto.

If you need a photographer for your publication or occasion, phone Don on 082-652-1108 or email him at

If you're a company with an interesting publishing project and you need expert help, he may also be available for editing, design and consulting work.
 

All the pictures on this website are © Don Bayley. All rights reserved. Copying and reuse strictly prohibited.