Workshop: Marden Senior College

I had so much fun showing the students at Marden how I photograph in a workshop I run. I did studio shots - my way of course. This scared me; I don't like the studio. Then we headed to where I feel comfortable. The kitchen, a makeshift outdoor studio and then locations around the college for portraits. 

I also showed how I photograph in a kitchen, with working chefs and kitchen staff. How I photograph and style food on location without a stylist. How I photograph people on location with minimum equipment. 

I wanted to inspire the students that it's not about the equipment you use, it's about your thought and vision. Think about what you want out of the photo. 

What is the story? What emotions? What feel? 

And then, what do you need to tell that story? Props or food alone? Perfectly presented food or half-eaten lifestyle look? 

What about the background? Does it lend itself to clean and minimalist or textured and homely? 

And look at the light. Where is it coming from, do you need to add more or reflect some back into the shadows? 

This is what I focus on in Better Pics for Business and my workshops. How to get better photos with minimum equipment. The thought process and working natural light rather than styling a set. 

Check out Better Pics for Business to see how you can get better pics with your camera or smartphone!

Fleurieu Living Magazine: Summer issue

The launch of the summer issue of Fleurieu Living Magazine was last night. And it's looking pretty cool. I did a lot of photography this issue, and loved it. Here are some photos I took on the shoots - some made the cut in the mag, some didn't. 

To get the lowdown on the stories - go buy yourself an issue. Or, be cheeky, and grab yourself one from a Qantas Club lounge. :)

CLIENT SHOWCASE: Leonards Mill

I got an email from Hayley a few months back. She said, 'you probably don't remember me, but you photographed our wedding in 2008...' 

Of course, I did remember. It was a beautiful day. And they had just bought Leonards Mill, a restaurant just up the road from where they were married at her parents home. 

After nearly ten years, I saw them again. It didn't feel that long. They are a really easy couple to get along with. I had so much fun photographing Leonards Mill and their staff for them one morning... 

www.leonardsmill.com

Suburban Taxis - finding my work.

I hardly ever look for my photos being used and only see them by chance when I drive past somewhere or open up a magazine. I really should check out how my photos are being used more often. Not only to see my clients vision but for feedback and improvement on my imagery and offering. 

Earlier this year I worked with Suburban Taxis on updating their website and branding. While looking through my photo catalogue of images, I found Suburbans folder. It got me thinking if they had updated their website or not. So I checked. 

Here is what I found... all my images being used. It looks good - even if I would re-retouch some of the images now. I guess that is a good sign of growth though - looking at older photos and seeing what you would change. How much could I grow if I still loved every photo I have taken? I wouldn't strive. I wouldn't get better. I would lose my business. I'd lose my life I love. 

I suppose this works for everyone. Continue to strive, continue to improve. Every single day. What doesn't grow, dies. 

CLIENT SHOWCASE: Dudley Wines

I've been to Kangaroo Island many times. I love wine. So why have I never been to Dudley Wines? 

Interest peaked when I read about it on yTravels blog, talking about having one of the best views from a cellar door ever - which is quite a statement. So finally I am here. And I'm photographing them. 

It's a whirlwind, arriving straight after hiking the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, late in the day. But it's fun. 

I'm soon laughing away, bossing people around, trying to work as quick as I can. I do feel slightly sorry for everyone, copping my craziness after being alone for almost a week. I know what I'm like after working in front of the computer for a day, I can only imagine how whacko I act today.

Dudley Wines had organised friends to be our talent in photos, and they did such a good job. 

Of course, everyone enjoyed the wine with cheese platters.

Clearly, the boys loved having a hit with the golf clubs.

And the kids loved running around on the grass.

What did I love? Lots of things. But the Shiraz was pretty good! At the end of the shoot, I sat and chatted with family and staff, so welcoming and friendly.

If only all shoots were like this....

CLIENT SHOWCASE: Clare Valley Wine Food and Tourism Centre

In July 2017 I worked with Clare Valley Wine Food and Tourism Centre... here are the pics. These are all taken within a half day shoot. A 'basic' to 'medium' retouch has been done on these keeping the images real but removing distracting objects like 'Exit' signs. 

Many more images were taken, proofs given to the client for selection, the client selects finals for delivery.

Let me tell you... there's choice. :)

If you want some ideas of what could work for you - email me. 

Workshop: Marden Senior College

Last week I gave a workshop to the students of Marden Senior College. Focusing on how I photograph food, but we also touched on location portraits. 

The day was split into a studio food shoot, shoot in a kitchen, on location food shoot and portrait shoot. 

I started off my intro by saying 'I am not a technical photographer, I go with a feeling. I care more about the story than the camera model or tech specs (although I am fully aware of how I'm shooting and why). Not everything I do is correct, but it's the way I do it.' I don't know if there is a dead set right or wrong way to do things in photography? Or life really.

We also spoke about Contra work, charity jobs, social media and how to get clients. There can be confusion and misunderstanding that there is a prescribed way of how you have to do things.

There isn't. 

I accept or decline things on a case by case basis. Some things I do for love, practice, exposure or desire to help. Other things are purely business decisions. 

But something I did want to 'bang on' about is the relationship building. It's so important. I have been in business since 2004 and put emphasis on networking, being friendly, doing a good job... people will talk. You know the old saying... 'It's not what you know, it's who you know.' 

Studio - playing with angles, light, reflections in glass, working without a lightmeter and reading the histogram.

Kitchen - telling a story. Detail, medium and wide shots. Looking for interest. Keeping out of the way.

Food on location - light, direction, props, backgrounds, creating stories (including one here done by a student on healthy/indulgent), playing around.

People - Looking at interesting backgrounds, graphic, space, reflector or speedlight, working with your subject to make them comfortable. 

I put a call out on Facebook for anyone willing to lend us some food...  Kayla from Natural Naughties came to our party with some delicious, healthy food. Check out her food, recipes books and more here. http://www.naturalnaughties.com/

Social media - It's not the full story.

I’m trying to be more open and honest on social media. I think it sucks that people see only the bright and positive side of people. But you know what, it’s hard. I love my job, and I have some pretty cool photoshoots. I also get to go to awesome places. And I love to ‘show the world off to the world’. I get excited - easily. I want others to get excited. 

But you know what - it’s not all ‘happy days’. 

When do I want to tell people that, some days, I sit at my computer in ugg boots and tracksuit pants for the whole day? Editing hundreds of pics or invoicing or resourcing. Yes, I had one of those days yesterday. I even went out to the supermarket in tracksuit pants - felt daggy, but you know…

What about when you have a shitty day - want to put those puffy red eyes up for all to see? I’ve had those this week too. 

But I don’t. Sometimes I want to show the truth, but I don’t want all the soppy, ‘chin up’ comments. I’m not asking for love and ‘feel goods’. I just want to share that life isn’t always fabulous. 

See all those inspiring office pics all over Pinterest? Yep, that’s not my office. Mine is shambolic. I have inspirational quotes stuck on the walls with BluTak, paperwork in piles, a to-do planner (x2) on the wall, bits of equipment scattered, an old laptop in the corner and my eCourse outline still stuck up on another wall. Do I want to show this scene? Hell no. But here you go… It’s not always this bad, but you get the idea. 

I post pics from surfing and dancing… but I forget to tell you that I work late some nights. And weekends are not sacred to downtime. Having flexibility in my work does come with its consequences. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

So, my point… when you are scrolling social media, don’t take everything for face value. People normally only post the good stuff, the stuff they want to show off, the stuff they want to talk about. Remember, we are all human, and there is always more to the story than meets the eye. Don’t be harsh and judge yourself on these perceptions. 

Behind the Scenes at Majestic Hotels shoot

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.