About us

Studio PI is a new photography and illustration agency that was launched in October 2020, with a mission to promote equality and celebrate diversity across the creative industry.

Founder and Managing Director Sachini Imbuldeniya had spent most of her career as a commissioning Art Director and Creative Director, but noticed that the rosters of the big agencies she was used to using just weren’t diverse enough.

The UK Government’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for Creative Diversity found that certain sections of society are greatly under-represented in our industry: Women. People of colour. People living with disabilities. People from working-class backgrounds.

Sachini happens to fall into all four of these groups, and launched Studio PI to redress this balance. It exists to champion those individuals whose voices are not heard enough and whose talent is not seen enough, and helps to provide our nation with balanced visual content that is a true reflection of the society we live in.

We currently represent 20 exceptional artists from under-represented groups, and also offer a full-production service to clients and brands. The artists were selected by a panel of 50 industry experts via a blind judging process where all names and bio’s were removed to avoid any unconscious bias.

The feedback from the industry since our launch 8 months ago has been fantastic and we have been inundated with exciting commissions and support from brands including: Christian Louboutin, Amex, Calvin Klein, Farfetch, Net A Porter, Samsung, Sky, Penguin, Volvo, The FA, MTV and Adidas. Publishers including: The Guardian and The Observer, Stylist Magazine, GQ, Mr Porter, The Times & The Sunday Times, New Statesmen, Time Out and The Economist. And Agencies including: Dentsu McGarry Bowen, AMV BBDO, Adam & Eve DDB, Ogilvy and Havas Lynx.

Testimonials:

“Studio PI showcases creatives who might otherwise struggle to find exposure. Expanding the pool of creativity is something from which we can all benefit”. Paul Pensom: Art Director, Creative Review

“Studio PI have a fantastic and refreshing wealth of artists and their ethos 100% aligns with our brand.” Ffion Griffiths: Picture Editor, Boots Health & Beauty

“Agencies like Studio PI are incredibly important, they give brilliant artists a platform and help agencies like ours discover exciting creative talent” Carly Hewitt: Account Director, Tangent Agency

“Studio PI stands for change within the industry. They offer a different perspective, making the creative world a more inclusive place.” Sophia Shaw: Senior Creative Curator, Havas Lynx

“Steve McQueen handpicked Studio PI’s Ngadi Smart to illustrate an article in an issue he was guest editing. The creative industry is still pretty pale, stale and male, and I hope other agencies follow Studio PI lead.” Lynsey Irvine: Design Director, The Observer

"We always want to support diversity at Time Out and Studio PI has made that easier. It’s very easy to say you support diversity, but it’s another thing to act on it. And to continue to act on it. But then you’re taking it to a whole other level if you’re basing your entire company ethos and business model around that. More companies should do the same." Bryan Mayes: Art Director, Timeout

Studio PI's work

How Smiley can inject emotion into a brand

Chantel King X Revolution Beauty make history with its first all-black, all-female beauty shoot

Black Hair in a White World X The Economist

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