How did you start in photography?
Started taking photos and processing them in my school dark room when I was 16 BUT then lost photography until when my daughter Caitlin was born and started taking pictures of her....things sort of snow balled from there!
What is your genre and how did you fall into that genre?
I would say I'm best known for aerial abstract images but more generally landscape. I fell (bad term for aerial) into it when I attended an Aerial Masterclass workshop run by Tony Hewitt on Rottnest island and got the bug!
What advice do you have for those starting out?
Do what makes your heart sing - if it doesn't make you happy and excite you, then exciting others becomes impossible.
If you could elect to have a drink and a conversation with anyone, currently living or not, within the photography world or not, open to anyone, who would it be and why?
I'd probably just pick a drink with friends - its not exciting or that interesting but I don't get to do it enough, and they result in the best conversations and leave me feeling happy.
What has been one of the most memorable moments in your career so far?
Winning the AIPP and NZIPP Professional Australian Photographer of the Year in 2018, 2022, and 2023, were all incredible recognition, BUT to be honest I'm not sure I can remember much about the moment!!
What is your most favourite piece of equipment?
My Rodenstock 32mm HR lens - it's as sharp as a sharp thing! At the other end of the spectrum, my washing line I hang prints on.
What do you feel has been your biggest achievement so far?
Being asked to judge PPY in New Zealand for the Iris Awards this year was an incredible honour and something I will remember forever.
Do you feel your photography style has changed over the span of your career?
Career is such a big word, but would say yes - I think it changes gradually - evolves month by month and images I edit today look different to how they did last year. If its not changing then I think we are stagnating, which in some way means your going backwards - there are always ways to learn and build new things into what you do.
If you had not have chosen photography as a profession/interest, what would you be doing?
Well that one is easy - probably a body / face double for Brad Pitt....or an Engineer (not sure).
Where do you see the future of photography heading?
It really is an interesting time with AI and the future direction of landscape photography. I don't think it is realistic to say it will kill photography in the same way that cameras didn't kill painting, but I do think people may start to look for more natural / authentic landscapes captured in camera as a point of difference - but who knows! I'm sure it will be exciting with whatever happens.
What is your favourite food, book, and movie?
My favorite food is a hot curry, not kill and bend-me-double hot, but something that makes my nose run! My favorite movie would be the Secret Life of Walter Mitty (a must for any photographer!). My favorite book is, A Short History About Absolutely Everything by Bill Bryson.
What makes a good photograph?
I think if you asked 10 different photographers what makes a good photo, you would get 13 different answers....But FWIW, in my mind a good photo to me is one that makes me happy I produced it, makes me dance inside, and has longevity to make me feel proud of it over a long period. What that looks like on the paper, I have no idea!
Tell us what you’ve got going on with your photography and/or business right now?
Lots going on at the moment - I have some online workshops to wrap up from running an Aerial workshop in Christchurch last month, a Q&A presentation to give to the NZ students and volunteers. I have just recorded a podcast for "FStop Collaborate and Listen" which will come to air on 13th November, a book with Matt Palmer, Mieke Boynton and Ricardo Da Cunha is in the final throws of production (coming next year, I hope) plus a project with Chris Dark from a recent 3 week tour of NZ. All in all its quite hectic! I have also been slowly collating a book of Aerial Abstracts - I'm yet to decide if this is a personal project or a bit more, but really enjoying the process of producing it.
Our Sponsors
|