Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
CLIENT: South Australian Escapes
Want to have a holiday by the beach? Just steps from the Middleton surf is this beautiful home…
A couple of weekends ago I went to photograph a brand spanking new holiday rental for a client in Middleton. I had no idea what to expect. But there were just a few wows as I went through. I'd love to stay here... and will (when I can trust my kids not to damage anything ;))
My client wanted the photos to put up on her website so she could get guests booked in for the Christmas period - all before she leaves on her own holiday in a week or so. So, it was a quick turnaround shoot. Retouching was kept natural and pics uploaded in web and print sizes for her.
About a week later, when I saw her next, she said she had it booked out to two different people already over that period.
WOW! Now that's how photos can work for you. I know it's busy season, but without photos, the chance of booking is much less. And good photos that show the space properly makes a massive impact on people and their decision to book or not.
Here are the pics... house pics shoot was about an hour then some time for some stock pics of the local area (plus a couple I had already taken over time).
Discovering Jo Eastaff with Fleurieu Living Magazine
Discovering places and people on the Fleurieu Peninsula. A recent shoot at the home of Jo Eastaff for Fleurieu Living Magazine.
One of the best parts of my job is the discoveries I get to make. Of places and people. Recently I met, and photographed the home (and studio/gallery) of Jo Eastaff. She lives in a charismatic home at Middleton.
I could not get enough of the views, the art she produces, and all the little things to see around her home. Her bathroom (and toilet with hand-washing water recycled to flush the toilet) is pretty wow too. It is a true reflection of who Jo is. Creative, fun, social and very talented.
I had to concentrate on taking photos as it was so easy to talk to Jo. We shared common interests of the love of the beach (which was right out the front of her house), need of travel and creativity in work and life.
Here are some of the pics I took in the hour or two I was there. As I said… I had to drag myself away from her coffee and biscuits, goggling the surf and chats. ;)
Exploring close to home...
Exploring close to home - casual but fun.
Explore your backyard. We have all heard it. But I seem always to find more interest in exploring far away places. Wrong, isn't it? Especially since I love my backyard and champion its beauty whenever I can.
Well, this years October long weekend marked the fourth year in a row of holidaying at Port Elliot Caravan Park. After spending many summers there as a child and living in the neighbouring town of Victor Harbor for my teenage years - I finally decided to discover some new things.
Here are some of my fave places...
Beaches...
Instead of heading to Horseshoe Bay, we veered left and wandered along the Coast path to find ourselves on an untouched, semi-deserted beach. We spot a little (4-5ft) shark playing in the shallows. Watching for five minutes, we saw it twisting and turning before disappearing, only to reappear in another spot and repeat. Swim? Not today, thanks.
There are rocks to the right of the beach, at the headland, where a man is shark fishing. And there is a surf break called chicken run right there - which I'm told only breaks in a large swell. I do see some surfers, and the wave is nice. I wonder why it's called Chicken Run? Playing chicken with the sharks is my guess.
I continued walking up towards Middleton, on my left, is Bashams Beach, or as my dad likes to say, Lewis beach. He's re-named it after the land he owns just back from the shore - just not sure if anyone else knows. A man can dream.
Go further, and you hit Middleton, my fave surf spot. This long stretch of beach is popular for surfing but beware of rocks under the water level while swimming, bodyboarding or surfing.
Retro Vibe Cafe - a casual cafe decked out in, you guessed it, retro furniture and furnishings. It's near the train line and quieter than the main Victor Harbor to Goolwa drag. There's a kids corner too to keep the little ones entertained while you enjoy your coffee. A trip down memory lane is inevitable.
Too much indulgence? Bike ride through the backstreets and headland near the caravan park for a bit of exercise. Or if you are feeling more energetic, cycle the Encounter Bikeway that runs from Encounter Bay to Goolwa. It's 30km long, reasonably flat and well made. Do as much, or as little, as you like.
Of course, there is much more to do, but that is the beauty of the Fleurieu. You can do as little or as much as you like.
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?
