Viaggi International was founded in Durban, South Africa, in July 1985. Originally trading as a clothing company, it had its first photo production experience while supervising the making of its own printed material.

V.I.P. (Viaggi International Productions) turned into a full time “Stills Production Company” in 1992, when the head office was moved to Cape Town. The Mother City, was then still unknown to many international clients and the local production industry still in its infancy.

The European directors, Filon Ardavanis (Italian/Greek )and Anne-Lise Moberg Ardavanis (German/Norwegian), were soon offering their services and experience to the many photographers and advertising people met while working in the fashion and model industries (Anne-Lise was a successful international model for many years).

V.I.P. quickly understood that reliability and professionalism, tight budget control, transparent accounting and quality of service where paramount to the success of any production company. With the above in mind, the company’s popularity steadily increased in the then rapidly growing South African photo industry.

Wishing to improve its own and the industry’s standards, V.I.P. motivated the creation of an “association of stills producers", in order to solve the many obstacles then facing international clients producing in South Africa (i.e. entry visas, red tape for location permits, necessary insurance, preferential rate negotiations with suppliers, crew training, lack of professionalism in many related industries, etc...).
The success of S.A.A.S.P. (South African Association of Stills Producers) in dealing with these matters has helped Cape Town in achieving its present international status, as one of the most organised and reasonably priced venues for commercials and stills productions.

The launching of European operational bases has allowed V.I.P. to produce all year round, following the summer season in the North and South hemispheres. Starting in1996, V.I.P. opened its first international branch in Athens, Greece, followed in 2002 by one in Marseille, France. In 2004 the company started co-producing with well established production companies in Spain and Portugal, thus extending its services across the Mediterranean.
Although most productions have taken place in South Africa, Greece, France and Spain, over the years V.I.P. has also co-ordinated photo shoots in Zanzibar, Venezuela, Brazil, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Dubai, Miami, and Cuba.

Because of the whole year commitment to their customers' production needs and the belief that the recommendations made by one client to another are the best form of advertising, V.I.P.’s directors and personnel have limited most of their marketing to printed and digital material. However, they would be pleased to visit customers wishing to meet with them personally.
An extensive reference list of clients and photographers is available upon request.

The modern head-office premises, based in central Cape Town (186 Loop Street), are very close to photo studios, digital labs, equipment rental companies and model agencies. In order to offer the most professional and efficient service V.I.P. has developed its own proprietary software (together with 2 other leading production companies). The continuously updated and very comprehensive location database is available on line: www.vip-prod.com/locations
The experience and professionalism of VIP's employees, together with the company's commitment to improvement and cost awareness, have been the major reasons for the success achieved so far. However, V.I.P. is looking forward to constantly improve its services and to maintain the traditionally professional and pleasant relationship with its customers.
Communication is conducted in English, German, French, Italian and Greek, thanks to the company’s truly international team.