TOM VAN SCHELVEN LEADS MULTIPLE GLOBAL SOCCER CAMPAIGNS FOR NIKE

Since late 2022, Tom has photographed and directed four major campaigns for Nike Football. "It’s always a bit of challenge to create continuity, especially when shooting a 30-foot-wide set in three countries, but it all came together really nicely."

In this most recent iteration, he shot United Pack APLA, featuring pro footballers Bunny Shaw, Hayley Raso, and Risa Shimizu in performance apparel in studio. "We also shot the athletes with models in non-performance apparel on the outskirts of Manchester (on the only day with blue skys!) It was unusual but fun to shoot such different visuals on the same day, as they needed such different skillsets—but it’s always good to be kept on my toes!"

Tom photographed Manchester City footballer Erling Haaland in the new Phantom GX and Venezuelan player Deyna Castellanos of the National Women's Soccer League in the Phantom Luna.

Tom directed pro athletes Sophia Smith, Rose Lavelle, Grace Geyoro, and Sam Kerr, as well as aspiring footballers, for Nike's United Pack campaign. The drop includes the new Phantom Luna boot, which was built by female footballers. "Working with Nike is always amazing—it’s a true partnership where we develop ideas together to create a unique campaign," says Tom.

Tom worked closely with Nike creatives and I Love Dust (Nike’s postproduction partner) to develop a custom animation technique that was achieved by “shooting athletes Virgil van Dijk, Kylian Mbappé, and Kevin De Bruyne in super-fast image bursts, which were then animated to create this otherworldly CGI animation,” explains Tom.

“I actually love the pressure of shooting professional athletes," he says. "I had to be efficient with my time (especially since I was shooting two campaigns at once!), as I had about 20 minutes with each player to shoot both stills and motion."

For a wild World Cup-themed ad campaign, Tom van Schelven directed and photographed elite Nike athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Ronaldinho, Sam Kerr, and Alex Morgan—as well as a number of cast talent.

In “Footballverse,” digital wizardry brings together past and current football stars competing to see who’s truly the best. Working swiftly in a studio set up alongside the accompanying TV commercial production, Tom captured action-packed portraits that were used in visually dynamic ads worldwide.