Reagen Butler

Reagen spent a decade as a stills photographer before he ever called action, and it shows. The deliberate frame, patience and a sense that every image has been discovered rather than manufactured.

He's a director drawn to the real thing: unforced performance, natural light, scenes allowed to unfold at their own pace. When Whānau Ora wanted to move a nation onto the Māori electoral roll, Reagen made The Māori Roll Call, a film built around 500 real names and one of the most awarded pieces in New Zealand advertising history, with a Grand Axis, Cannes Gold Lions and a Spikes Asia Grand Prix to its name. When a coalition of patient charities needed the country to feel the human cost of its medicine laws, he made The Forbidden Pharmacy, and got out of the way of the people telling their stories.

That instinct - knowing when to hold back - runs through his work for Spark, Volkswagen, Les Mills, Samsonite and the World Health Organisation. Contemporary, composed, alive. Never craft for its own sake, always in service of the story.

With a foundation rooted in a decade of still photography, Butler has honed his expertise in storytelling, employing a unique blend of unconventional ideas and innovative filmmaking techniques to orchestrate environments where authenticity thrives and talent flourishes.

His signature style is characterised by meticulously crafted compositions that exude a sense of freshness and discovery, capturing moments that feel inherently new and uniquely evocative of the present zeitgeist. Butler employs a deliberate and methodical approach to image creation that harkens back to the traditions of traditional film, allowing scenes to unfold organically through the lens.

Reagen often brings a distinctive blend of pop culture, style, and a contemporary aesthetic to his projects, infusing advertising with a sense of vibrancy and authenticity that resonates with audiences. With each endeavour, Butler continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on the creative landscape and reshaping the way we perceive and engage with imagery.

Read Reagen's director interview here

For Reagen's availability and enquiries, contact:

Matt McKenzie
+64 21 071 2594
[email protected]

CANGO - The Forbidden Pharmacy