Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
West Beach Parks
I have been working with West Beach Parks (formerly Adelaide Shores) for over five years. We have done multiple shoots for the rebrand, when renovations are completed, new accommodation is built, or for a new campaign.
Images: Lifestyle, interiors, exteriors, activities, staff profiles.
Love: The fun involved in photographing kids and adults enjoying the park facilities, especially the pool area where I can get the kids to jump in a number of times.
Not so much love: Making some of the budget, tiny (super skinny and long) bathrooms look inviting. But hey, we did it!
Images are used for a variety of purposes, including website, marketing material, social and corporate.
Some of my fave images from my shoots with West Beach Parks…
A world away... at Seawall Apartments for a weekend stay as restrictions ease.
A staycation in Glenelg. Blissful.
Snaps from a little stay at a favourite place in Adelaide. On the beachfront in Glenelg. Seawall Apartments.
I’m feeling the need to get away but can’t. This is a great way to get my fix.
Have you had a staycation during Covid? Where did you go?
CLIENT: West Beach Parks
West Beach Parks - an impressive line up of facilities. See the recent photos from a heidi who photos shoot.
Want to get away but not have to drive for hours? I've been told many people come and stay here so that they can escape the norm. It's central, on the coast and has everything. This is definitely the place to come to make sure the kids have fun - and give you enough time to enjoy your cuppa and book in peace.
Pools, games rooms, waterslides, waterpark, playground, jumping pillow, cafe and now fitness centre, sensory room and loads of x-boxes (or whatever they are ;)). Seriously, you could have a whole morning or afternoon without seeing the kids!
I was back at West Beach Parks last month to photograph the upgraded games area plus the new gym and sensory room. I am impressed - caravan parks are offering so much now. Especially for families - it's a perfect accommodation choice. Maybe I'll be heading to West Beach next holidays?
CLIENT: FRED Eatery
A great place in Aldgate.. Love working with these guys.
Really, no words needed. Just look at these pics. This place is very, very, very awesome. An easy drive through the beautiful Adelaide Hills.
CLIENT: Heritage South Australia
Making history more interesting…
What comes to mind when I think of history? It's usually old stuff, museums, old buildings, dusty smells, dull and slow feels. Yawn. Not really the most riveting stuff for me.
But working with Heritage South Australia - I saw a different side. Adelaide city tours that are lively and entertaining, run by a young person. I imagine life at Torrens Island Quarantine Station while wandering and taking photos of the buildings. And I am kayaking around ships sent to the 'graveyard' around Garden Island. Dolphins, birds and sun are surrounding us.
My kind of classroom.
Client: Marion Holiday Park
Marion Holiday Park - there really is accommodation for everyone. These images were part of a package I took while there for two hours of event coverage.
Late last year I photographed Marion Holiday Parks 35th birthday celebrations.
Must say, this park is pretty awesome... accommodation for everyone from tent sites to two storey poolside residences. Yes please.
Check out some of the pics I took while there...
Behind the Scenes at Majestic Hotels shoot
Behind the scenes on a shoot this week with Majestic Hotels group in Adelaide. Funnies.
This week I have been busy photographing some updated rooms at the Majestic Hotels group in Adelaide. Nadia came along to help - and take a few cheeky snaps with the iPhone on silent. The spots I get myself into...
Minima Hotel.
Apart from making me look like I have nice long legs, I'm glad Nadia snuck this pic. This pink room was a surprise. All the other rooms I had photographed were colourful, creative, tonal - and I liked them. I wanted to stay in one. This room is different. Each to their own. At least you can request particular rooms while booking. I can only imagine a guy going out on a boys trip, or to the footy, and being put in this room. Laughter.
Majestic Roof Garden
Squeeze in. Taking a shot of 'movie time' from the bath - complete with movie snacks on the bed.
Culshaws at the Roof Garden Hotel
Looks like I'm either taking a rest or in between doing a leg workout. In reality I'm waiting for guests to move away from the foyer area so I can take one frame. When I was framing up the shot I obviously didn't realise how long I would be there for. Ten minutes later...
Was a great shoot - I'll show the resulting images later.
Z Ward with Adelaide Haunted Horizons
Paranormal stuff. The stuff that makes me shiver.
Believe in ghosts? Doesn't matter - Adelaide Haunted Horizons' tours are fun for everyone. It's a Saturday night with a difference. Check them out. www.adelaidehauntedhorizons.com.au
I photographed in Z Ward at Glenside (criminally insane ward) for them but did a recce at Old Tailem Town about an hour from an Adelaide a few weeks prior. The stories told, the ambience, the intrigue of not knowing what lies beyond the torchlight. It all leads to me jumping at someone whispering 'boo' while I'm standing up the back of the group in a shop. Honestly, I thought it is whispered in my left ear, the ear that has nobody standing next to it - but obviously not, when the guys next to me apologised. I could swear I felt the air push onto my ear - but I guess that is my mind playing tricks on me.
Do I believe in ghosts now? Not sure. I can't say until I experience it. Would I go on a tour again? Definitely. It is so much fun, scaring myself in the dark while listening to stories that make me squirm.
Christmas getaway in Adelaide - Crowne Plaza
Normally, our little family goes camping just after christmas, but this year we decide not to. The last few years, we have had 40 degree plus days, and when we are camping with little kids, it's no fun at all. And this year, it is set to be no different. 35 degrees on New Years Day, and then in the 40's on the 2nd. No thanks. I can just imagine trying to pack up camp in that heat - no thanks.
But, just because we haven't gone camping, doesn't mean that we have to stay home all the time. Hubby and I leave the kids with Granny for a night, and head off to the Crowne Plaza. The last time I stayed here, I was super impressed, so my expectations are high.
We attempt to check in on Boxing Day, half an hour too early, but are unfazed. After all, it is Boxing Day, and there are big sales on just a few steps away in Rundle Mall. Excitedly, we are soon surrounded by colour and people. The pace is fast, and we feel like ants being shuffled this way and that in the crowd of thousands. We last about an hour before retreating back to the hotel. My idea of a good time is not being pushed around, looking at messy displays, and then waiting in line to buy goods.
Our Junior Suite is ready, overlooking the square and Pulteney Street below. It is nice, but I'm not sure if I would pay the extra for a Corner Suite again since I only sat out there for about twenty minutes. The room seems very similar in styling and size to the Deluxe Balcony Room.
Two hours are relaxed away in the pool, spa, steam room and sauna on the second level. We jump between everything, not knowing what to do first. With kids, it's spent playing 'catch me', helping them swim, or splashing about in the shallows with squeals and shrieks that could rattle glass.
Redsalt Restaurant is downstairs, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the square. We enjoy people watching as we sit with a bottle of D'Arrys Footbolt, chomping on prawns, wood-oven bread, and fish and chicken main meals. Beautiful flavours, but ultra small portions on the fish platter is disappointing. I can't say the same for the breakfast - absolutely fantastic. I am not normally too positive about Australian buffets, but I can fill my belly here. I squeeze myself some veggie and fruit juice, order poached eggs (with some sneaky bacon) and nibble on bircher muesli. The home-made baked beans nearly has me going back for seconds, even though I'm bursting. Of course, there is all the usual suspects on the buffet as well - pastries, all kinds of eggs, sausages, cheeses, fruit, yoghurt, toast, cereal...
Final verdict? Great city location close to the mall and Rundle Street, quiet rooms, chilled bar and fab breakfast. Staff are polite and very helpful. Concierge remembers me from a few months back - that's impressive.
Beaches… 10 South Australian differences
I travel a lot. Aussies can travel a lot. But for near perfect beaches, many Aussie beaches can't be topped. Compare the beaches in South Australia (let alone Australia) to Bali or Phuket - beach destinations we flock to.
10 South Aussie differences:
1. White, smooth sand that doesn't hurt to walk on
2. Clean sand and water
3. Beautiful clear water (most of the time)
4. You leave the water without itching from sea lice
5. No touts to harass you
6. You can drive to a number of suburban beaches within half an hour of the CBD. An hour drive to the Fleurieu beaches of awesomeness.
7. Litter doesn't float to shore as you swim or surf
8. You don't have to sniff some strangers armpit as you lie on your towel, squeezed on a snippet of beach
9. Experienced surf lifesavers patrol sections of beach for safety
10. There is a beach for everyone - placid kids splash-around beaches (Horseshoe Bay, Glenelg, Kingston Park), trendy 'be seen' beaches (Henley), nudist beach (Maslin), all to your own beaches (KI, Eyre and Yorke Peninsula), and surf beaches (Mid Coast, Middleton, Waitpinga, Chiton, Parsons… all close to Adelaide).
Anyone have any favourites?
