Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
Hands Across the Water for HomeHug children - tax deductible photo shoot offer.
Want a feel-good photo shoot?
In 2019, I rode around Kanchanaburi for five days, getting heat exhaustion, suffering knee pain and generally just pushing myself along in 45-degree heat.
It wasn't these memories I remembered when I signed up to do it again this year. It was the faces that lit up when we rode into the orphanage on the last day, the friendships I made while riding, the difference I could see I was making in these little lives that made me sign up again.
I'm also a sucker for punishment. I mean, 500km of riding a bike through Thailand's humid heat - who would want to do that? Don't we go to Thailand for the beach holiday?
In September this year, I am riding again. This time through the Isaan Region in northeast Thailand.
"Starting in the city of Bueng Karn, our riders will spend two days following the incredibly bio-diverse Mekong River before heading west through villages and rural communities not often visited by foreigners. Following a well-deserved rest day, the team will ride into one of our homes, Home Hug in Yasothon, to be greeted excitedly by the children they have worked so hard to support." - Hands Across the Water.
100% of the money I raise will go to the children. Hands Across the Water do not take any admin fees out. I have committed to raising at least $5000, and I'm doing this by offering 100% tax-deductible mini photoshoots.
The money raised will go to Baan Home Hug, a home to 130 children today, many of whom have HIV and do not know or have no connection with their parents.
Do you want any new photos? Of course you do! We always want new pics; it's just a matter of budget control.
Need more content? Let's face it, we all do. Always.
Renovated and need an updated pic? Brag about it.
New menu? How about you show off the new dishes to your customers.
Portrait? Let's celebrate you!
Family photo? When was your last one?
This fully tax-deductible photoshoot is a perfect way of getting more photographs to showcase YOU. Get in touch with me to organise.
2020 Reflections...
Looking back on 2020 for me. And my plans for 2021.
2020... a shitty year for humans - but a year that wasn't so bad for me. My heart does go out to all that have been badly affected this year; ill-health, lost loved ones, lost jobs/homes/relationships, mental health issues, or separated from loved ones. Also, to the parents that were locked up at home for months with their children. Oops, did I say that...
We have all experienced so much anxiety, sadness and negativity - I want to focus on some good things. There are always some positives.
I remember seeing those images and footage of our world when Covid locked us down - and how the world started to recover. Animals were wandering the street, pollution lifted, cleaner waters... I remember hoping that we could not forget about our negative impact and retain a little of that after our lockdown, but I'm not sure we have. Or will. Seeing these images was heartwarming, and I saw a positive in those scenes.
Other good stuff this year...
Two multi-day shoots to Flinders Ranges and Outback with awesome people.
I went with a client and friends I love, and we had so many laughs and adventures. I came back very tired but loved every bit of discovering more of our state.
Majestic flights over Flinders Ranges and the outback as part of those Flinders Ranges and Outback shoots.
Early morning flights over Arkaroola and Wilpena Pound. I tell everyone that if possible, they should see the Flinders Ranges by air. The wow never leaves me. We also flew from William Creek to a unique parcel of land at Anna Creek Painted Hills. An area that reminds me of the Painted Desert near Coober Pedy but more special. You can go there exclusively with Wrights Air.
Multiple trips to Kangaroo Island for work.
Since our lockdown and travel restrictions eased I seem to be heading over to Kangaroo Island a lot. Big thanks to people who have recommended me and assisted with the shoots. Everything from shooting the bushfire affected Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail to the super beautiful and comfy Hamilton and Dune holiday homes at Emu Bay.
A weekend in Darwin with friends.
Going here was like going overseas. Nearly. Such a different climate, different landscape, and a city I haven't visited since I was 18. An afternoon at Litchfield swimming, dancing at night and munching on yummy indigenous food under frangipani trees. Just a little different to life in Adelaide for me.
A work trip to Brisbane and Gold Coast just as Covid was getting ugly - but I made some fantastic contacts.
I met some amazing clients from this trip and met with the tourism industry council (who unfortunately was already struggling with mass closures due to Chinese tourists not coming) and caught up with friends. I was also recommended to join Australian Travel Writers Society as a photographer. I have now made some fantastic friends, presented a workshop for the society members, and got to know the best travel writers. I also had a brilliant night out Latin dancing at Cloudland - I'm getting used to going out alone.
All the love I received from the La Bomba latin dance community on my 40th - a YouTube video and lots of presents delivered on the day.
I had a massive weekend of birthday celebrations planned - a dance party, dining at The Salopian Inn, a stay at The Mayfair, an afternoon celebration at Never Never Distilling Co. But of course, we were in lockdown. So I was home alone - well, with the kids. And then I got a knock at the door. There were two beautiful friends with a porch full of gifts. We drank wine, chatted and laughed for a few hours - all very socially distanced (one each side of the driveway, me at the porch).
Developing friendships and learning to be more open (it's a big learning curve!)
I have loved getting to know new friends this year and opening myself up. I've always had a diverse group of friends, but my inner circle is small. Learning to be open, express myself and take chances...
Created my stock photo site - and have sold images.
Something I have always dreamed of doing. But the time commitment (which is massive) and the knowledge that it's likely an investment that may not have much of an ROI stopped me. Well, no shoots, stuck at home... it gave me an excellent excuse to start it. I have already sold some images and am now looking at how to promote it further. I have created it in a way that will be very valuable to clients and tourism operators who need a library of images for social media - but without the hefty cost of doing shoots all the time.
First campervan holiday.
Wanderlust. I do indeed. I love the idea of owning a VW Combi so I can travel the roads, surf, rest, and explore with freedom. I have camped, caravanned and glamped but never before done it in a van. And it was fun! I came back, wanting to buy one for myself. That is yet to come, I may not. But I will be booking another road trip adventure in a van soon.
I bought a cat.
When the kids told me that RSPCA needed to home their cats because of Covid, they probably didn't think I'd act on it. And neither did I. But I bought a cat. My $40 little cat cost me a lot in the first couple of weeks, with multiple vet visits for an infection. He has kept me happy during the lonely weeks, made me laugh and get angry, and kept the neighbourhood entertained with his adventures. His name is Randall. I've now learnt not to stand at the front door calling him home by his nickname 'Randy'.
When Covid hit us in Adelaide, I sat and wondered what I could do if I couldn't be a photographer. I'd been in business for 16 years and only thought about this a few times in all those years. I was concerned that if we couldn't travel, then I'd have no work. I had no idea how long we would be in lockdown for, so even location photography (I'm not a studio photographer of any means) locally was off the cards. I did worry and spent time thinking about what skills I could draw upon in a new job. Thankfully, our government helped us with Jobkeeper, and I could continue the work I love.
Work started again quite quickly when state travel restrictions eased but in the meantime, the time at home gave me...
Reflection. On who I am and what I need to do and learn to be a better me.
More time on the beach. A place I love. I took 10km walks each day and simultaneously admired and got annoyed with all the people who were now on the beach.
Rest. I keep myself very busy, and being stuck at home allowed my body to regenerate. I have to remember how I felt back then and apply it sometimes still now.
Time with my children. I am fortunate not to have to work a 9-5 pm job; I can take the kids to and from school and take time off in their holidays. Usually, I have lots of time with them. But not having anywhere to go and schedules to keep meant we could relax. I didn't enjoy all of it - homeschooling was very hard. And being alone with two children 24/7 is not glamorous, but it was nice not to have to tell them to get out of their pyjamas.
Good stuff for 2021...
Interstate trips to meet with new clients - starting with Queensland in early February.
Shoots interstate.
A holiday in WA and Cocos Keeling Islands.
My 41st birthday which I am going to celebrate like my 40th.
Developing closer friendships (and someone to love and share my life with).
Helping SA tourism continue to tell their story.
Inspire people to discover and adventure - live life.
Continue my learning about ME.
Surf, dance and adventure as much as I can.
Stay in some more SUPER BEAUTIFUL and LUXE accoms...
Keep focused.
We don't know what our future holds; however we can, and do, create it. Without plans, we wander. Sometimes that can work, like when I'm travelling, but I want to make the most of my life. Not saying I stick to the plans, but at least I know the direction I want to go. I'd hate to be stuck on that roundabout and not know what road to take.
Helping you get better photos...
Since we can't get together and create amazing photos together, I am going to continue to help you with other options.
If you have been taking your own photos, but want a little help, I'm here for you!
Retouching - colour, straightening horizons, editing out elements making them look a little something extra than straight out of camera. Still keeping it real though. From $70 per hour
Resizing - resizing your photos to make them fit the different places they need to go. Bulk photo re-sizing from $35
Stock photos - check out www.heidiwho.com/buy for tourism style stock photos. More being uploaded weekly so if you are looking for something in particular, get in touch and I'll prioritise. From $5 an image
Mentoring and courses - $195 for 2 hours ‘one on one’ or other online options at www.heidiwho.com
Hoping these services can help you until we can get out and have fun on a shoot together!
Tourism Stock for you!
heidi who photos now has a tourism stock photo site! Something I have wanted to do for a long time. Something I have seen a need for, for even longer. And now it's here.
Check it out at heidiwho.com/buy!!!
The last month or so has seen me sitting at my computer, searching my archives for images and uploading them to this fabulous new site. The process is tedious - search, retouch, keyword, upload, add pricing, add to galleries. But it's a chore that is making me happy. I know how much benefit you are going to get from it. Especially at this time when it's crucial to keep telling your story. Travellers will be very ready to get out and explore as soon as they can, so keep yourself in their mind when they are making plans.
Why is this site great for you?
These photos are from my travels and shoots around Australia.
They don't look like 'stock photos' and are real.
If you are a business, you may even find I have pics of you ready to go.
You can search via keyword (location, subject, etc.) to save you time looking through loads of photos.
Pricing is super affordable - from $5 an image!
Licencing is for social media use, as many times as you want. You can contact me if you want to use it elsewhere too.
Of course, this is very much a work in progress. I have thousands of images to go through - so if you there is something that you are looking for, email me, and I'll upload it asap (if I have it).
Even more exciting news... at the moment, you can help me build my galleries on the stock photo site!
When I can travel again, I'll be hitting the road and coming to you and the regions. So I want suggestions!!!
What do you need?
What is missing?
What do you wish you had a photo of?
What photo has been 'done to death' and could use a refresh?
Whether it's of your business, local town, another biz, or the area and region in general. Let me know. I want a good list to be able to help you even more.
There will be a limited number of collaborative shoots available too - where you get a super discounted personalised photo shoot. Now it seems you may be able to have your cake and eat it too. ;)
Please email me your interest so I can let you know when I have more details!
And don't forget to have a look at the stock photos already up...
...a trip to Eleanor Downs, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island… so much to offer.
I can imagine the view is quite different now - at least the KI pics. I hesitated to show these photos but decided to - Kangaroo Island it too beautiful. It may be different now, but they fight back. There is still so much to love about her, so much for everyone to enjoy.
Being driven around Eleanor Downs by Olivia and Nathan , hearing all their plans, was exciting. Their enthusiasm, energy and creativity were contagious. And I can only presume they still have grand plans. Their bush festival on 21st March is now being advertised.... check it out on Facebook via Eleanor Downs page. A comedy, arts and music festival set under the gum trees. Sounds blissful.
2020 Tours
Need photos (everyone does)? Want to have fun while getting them (who doesn’t)? Exciting news!
I'm thinking 2020 and tours...
I'm ready to get my tunes (or Podcasts) plugged in and hit the road (and air). I'm always so excited to do these trips. I love meeting new people, helping businesses with great photographs and spending time in our beautiful country.
CONFIRMED TOURS (dates to be set):
Queensland
South Australia
Western Australia
*Let me know if you want me to come to you - even if it’s outside of these areas.
Of course, I'll be offering a full range of photography, including my popular $450 Editorial Package. You can check them out here. For a tailored photography package call or email me. We can work out something that suits you perfectly.
A big difference in 2020, though.... I also want to collaborate with regions - and even more powerful way of creating images that can be used to inspire people to travel, learn and discover while having fun. When I collaborate with regions, everyone works together and gets access to the photos - it creates more cohesive visuals, a lot more access and images being shown in multiple places in many ways. And you know what happens when a person keeps seeing the same place and amazing things they can do there? It gets on their radar!
We had great fun and success in 2019 doing precisely this in Flinders Ranges and Outback, Coober Pedy, Innamincka and Birdsville.
Here is a little of the fun we had…
https://www.heidiwho.com/travels/2019/8/15/southern-flinders-ranges
https://www.heidiwho.com/travels/2019/8/15/flinders-ranges
https://www.heidiwho.com/travels/2019/8/16/strzelecki-track-the-outback-and-innamincka
And a couple of pics from Birdsville…
"ONE PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS."
"PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD."
Sayings that have been around for years and are still critical to your success.
Part of the foundation of a great marketing plan is incredible, professional photographs. Without them, your online (well, any marketing) presence fails. And let's face it, the world is going online. Customers and guests first impression of you is very likely to be online. Make it a good one. Create a connection. Show them how great you are.
Get in touch if you are interested in having fun while creating a collection of photographs that tell your story in a real and beautiful way. Tell me 'where to go'.
CLIENT: Oceanview Eco Villas
A little bit of eco luxury on Kangaroo Island.
Part 2: Open and ready for you!
Oceanview Eco Villas is a luxurious and memorable off the grid experience. Tim and Tamsin Wendt have built these villas on their stunning 500-acre coastal property at Nepean Bay on Kangaroo Island.
It's a place to relax and get yourself back into nature. Either watching the kangaroos grazing while you relax on your deck, sipping wine while relaxing back in the large bath while watching the sunset, or being more active outside. There are trails through the yackas and beach walks, where you can encounter kangaroos, birds and other wildlife.
And the eco part is pretty amazing too — Eco designers, solar power, eco products and technology plus completely off-grid. The list is endless; check out their website to be wowed.
I've been to Oceanview Eco Villas twice for photoshoots now. Each time I took a little time to wander around the property early morning - I found it a balancing way to start the day. I could hear the birds sing, see the kangaroos graze and watch the colours of early morning ooze across the sky.
Check out more pics and info here.
Strzelecki Track, the outback and Innamincka
A trip out of the city to the Outback…
I am an ocean girl. It's where I feel happiest, most alive, relaxed and 'at home'. So to take me to the Outback is a little adventure. I love my adventures, where I discover, learn and have fun. Then re-align myself with the ocean when I get back home.
I had a photoshoot for The Outback Loop, Innamincka Hotel and Flinders Ranges and Outback this year. It took me on a long weekend trip into the Outback via the Strzelecki Track. Lots of red dust and billions of flies. I didn't mind the dust (although the camera probably hated me for it) but the flies - argh, I can never get used to them. We would arrive anywhere, in the middle of nowhere, and within seconds, have flies swarming us. My hands were working a constant windscreen wiper motion across my face.
But it was worth it. The beauty of being surrounded by vast nothingness. The quietness. The colours. The people. The history of Burke and Wills. And let's not forget the dancing in the front bar - true country style, after a few beers (or wine for me).
Country life depends on community, weather and the natural environment. Visiting this area is a real world classroom. At least once, everyone should get themselves into the Outback.
500km Hands Across the Water Thailand bike ride
What it’s like riding 500km through Thailand, in April. One HOT week (or five days).
One day close to Christmas I get a message from my cousin.. ‘today is the last day to sign up’. She is talking about a charity bike ride through Thailand with her business mentoring group. I had expressed interest earlier but was undecided. But this email made something click inside me. I did a few checks to see if I could organise getting my children looked after on those dates and signed up. Eek. I wasn’t sure what I’d just signed up for - but I knew I’d be riding a bike 500km through Thailand. And that I’d be needing to raise $5000 plus pay my $2000 odd fee (not including flights and accommodations before and after the trip) for the privilege.
Guess I’d better dust off my bike then. She had sat in my carport for a few years without being ridden. I checked if it still worked and all but a flat tyre, she was good to go. For the next four months, I’d be getting friendly with my bike. We would spend anywhere from an hour to three with each other at least three times a week. We’d travel the coast, we’d cruise down to Willunga, and we’d push up to Old Reynella on the Shiraz Trail. And when I couldn’t get outside, I’d pop her into a trainer and spin for an hour or so inside once the kids had gone to bed, YouTube running.
Now, it's Anzac Day, and I’ve just finished up my 500km ride through Thailand. I arrived home today, took one look at her then kept walking. I don’t mind not seeing my bike for a little while. It’s not that I don’t like her, it’s just that I’m sick of riding. I’m not a cyclist.
One of our pitstops between legs. A great chance to meet the locals in the rural areas.
I’ll get to the ride in a second but here’s what I learnt in the last few months in the saddle (yep, that's what the seat is called).
1. Padded bike shorts are your best friend.
2. So is bum cream.
3. Drafting helps get you further with much less effort.
4. Good conversation goes a long way to making legs (a term for a component of a bike ride) feel shorter.
5. When cycling all day in 40-degree plus heat, you can never have too much water and ice.
So… to the ride.
The hardest part. The heat.
I am not sure I can describe what it feels like to ride 7am until 5pm in 45-degree heat. The sweat pours off. The headache is near constant. Bags of ice melt in minutes. The hot wind does nothing to make me feel better. Waiting to push off, sweat dribbles from my neck bandana of ice down my back. Sweat pools behind the knees and dribbles into my shoes. Sloshing water over our head that has had everyone's hands in it is welcomed. Icy water being tipped over me only startles me for a second or two before it warms up and melds with the sweat.
The physical.
Riding 135km in one day in this heat is something I still can't comprehend how we completed. I think it is just a matter of pushing the pedals round and round like the song 'the wheels on the bus go round and round' but for a bike.
Taking it one leg at a time. Cruising while having a chat or pushing myself to keep pace - knowing that by getting to the next rest stop, I’d have time to sit in the shade and recoup. Attempt to cool me down, rehydrate and prep for the next leg. After all, it was only an hour or so in the sun at the one time.
With a buddy to rely on, and a buddy relying on me, we push on. Looking ahead, eyes up. Heck, sometimes we’d even have a chuckle. People fall. People pull out. People slow. People power on. Everyone suffers, or are pushed through, at a different level. Even the fittest of cyclist, the seasoned Thailand riders, struggle at times. People grow quiet, then silent. We all cope in our own way. The jokers quieten. We all agree, it isn’t the physical nature of the ride taking its toll on us, it is the heat.
Seriously, at home, we’d be cooped inside with air-conditioning blasting, not out wandering around in this heat. We wouldn’t even dream of exercising in it for just an hour - and here we are now riding all day in it. Crazy. But crazy with a cause.
The landscape.
From highway to dirt. We rode them all.
Each day is different. Some days we have undulations. Some days are flat. Some days are 75km, and we finish before lunch. One day is 145km, and at dusk, we are still riding. It is decided we have to cut 10km off our ride this day, to avoid riding in the dark. Safety first. Haha. That sounds funny… we can’t ride in the dark, but we can ride all day in this heat.
Early morning to late afternoon, we rode. I loved the legs before lunch before the heat set in.
There is a lot of farmland, burnt out paddocks and shanty towns. Flat (ish) plains turn into mountains, dirt roads and leafy sided roads. Highways thin to concrete single width country lanes to pot-holed dirt tracks. At one stage we have to dismount and walk our bikes through a section of road being resurfaced. The sand sinking our wheels as soon as we hit it.
Sometimes things were unexpected. Like re-building a road once the reccie had been done. No worries.
The riders.
Riders are from all over Australia and New Zealand, and one lady coming from the USA. We are used to all different temperatures. And our fitness levels are just as varied, as are our ages. Our youngest is 16 and the oldest is Dale’s dad in his 60s (from memory - eek). But one thing we have in common is our reason for doing it - to help the kids. And we all possess the mental can-do attitude that helps push us through our dark moments. We have one girl that does zero training through to our every week cyclists.
How do I go?
Good conversations make the km’s fly past.
Physically - I am fine. Well, apart from tingly toes and one pulled muscle in my left leg which voids that leg of doing any pushing up hills. It's nearly a week since I have finished riding and I still have tingles in my right foot.
Heat - so-so. I get heat exhaustion on day three and think I’m going to have a hospital visit. I spend the night barely unable to lift my head from the bed. I am trying to hydrate as much as I can but clearly not enough. After this night on my bed and head in a toilet I ensure I always have water within reach. I enlist a second bottle to stick in my back pocket while riding. That way I don’t have to ration. It helps. And when I get a headache, I drink even more, rather than thinking it’s normal. Obviously, there is no such thing as too much water on this ride. And I also eat more. More fruit, peanut brittle, chips and sweets. The first few days I was only stocking up on fruit during breaks - having more substance makes me feel better for the second half of the ride.
Riding into the Kanchanaburi orphanage on the last day completes the ride in many ways. Not only are we physically finishing it, but we are also seeing the reason why we have gone through all the pain right before us. Bright, smiling kids that are being given a chance of choice because of us are waving us in to the song of 'We are the Champions'.
The money we have raised through doing this ride will fund Kanchanaburi orphanage for a year. This orphanage that has given life back to over 50 kids that have, in one way or another, have no family to give them life. Spending a few hours with these amazing children is the best reward I can receive. And dancing with these energetic, happy souls in the evening is the icing on top.
Here is some video from 'in the saddle' of the trip... plus the wonderful night of celebration with the kids. Non, the child I was 'riding' for (when needing mental support on the ride we thought about a child we were helping) is a cheeky, small 12-year-old with an infectious smile. I loved meeting him and will remember his beaming face always.
SA Regional Tours... 2019 dates.
I’m heading to regional South Australia to get photos for businesses. No travel fees. Want in?
Image for Regional Council of Goyder on previous tour.
The time has come again... I'm going to get my tunes (or Podcasts) plugged in and hit the road. I'm always so excited to do these trips, I love meeting new people, helping businesses with great photographs and spending time in our beautiful state.
Outback/Flinders - May 2019 *BOOKINGS REQUIRED ASAP
Of course, I'll be offering a full range of photography including my popular $450 Editorial Package. You can check them out here. For a tailored photography package just call or email me. We can work out something that suits you perfectly.
https://www.heidiwho.com/popular-packages/
If you have any suggestions for pics 'on spec' or for me to take as 'stock', please let me know. I'm always keen to help where I can and get the photographs that are missing. On spec means no obligation - you don't pay for me to photograph them, I get them if I can in my time frame.
"One picture is worth a thousand words."
"Put your best foot forward."
Sayings that have been around for years and are still critical to your success.
Part of the foundation of a great marketing plan is awesome, professional photographs. Without them, your online (well, any marketing) presence fails. And let's face it, the world is going online. Customers and guests first impression of you is very likely to be online. Make it a good one. Create the connection. Show them how great you are.
Get in touch ASAP to take advantage of these tours. All shoots on tour have the added benefit of no travel fees.
Image for Flinders Bush Retreats on previous tour.
