Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
Beachcomber, Honolulu HAWAII
Staying in Waikiki…
After five nights on the North Shore, I thought we had better find out what Waikiki was about. This hotel is located in a great location on Kalākaua Avenue, surrounded by luxury stores, a street market, hotels, and the beach just a building away.
My favourite way to get to the beach? Through Surfboard Alley! It is just across the road, and seeing all the surfboards locked up along the wall is always intriguing.
Surfs up!
From the Hawaiian art and photographs decking the walls to the artisan eats and locally made beer, Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel will immerse you in the spirit of Waikiki. Inspired by local influencers and artists, the Beachcomber Originals, this craft hotel was created with an island vibe and is the perfect place to sip a Mai Tai and soak in the energy of aloha. - Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel
Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu HAWAII
The most expensive hotel I have ever booked. But would I do it again? YES.
I love this place - the area, the surf, the views, the people, the turtles, the laid back nature. Take me back anytime. Please.
https://www.turtlebayresort.com/
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?
A night in Burleigh Heads...
I fell in love with Burleigh Heads within hours. That was about five years ago, and now I'm back. And super excited.
Only here for the night, I booked an Airbnb close so that I could walk to everything. However, of course, I didn't know there would be torrential rain the majority of the time I was there which didn't help with walking everywhere.
Having used AirBnB only a few times, with very mixed experience, I was not sure what to expect. Would it be clean? Would it be nice? Would I feel comfortable in a room of someones home, rather than hiring the whole place as I have done previously?
Arriving, I was shocked in a very positive way. Clare greeted me, showed me the room, then left me to settle. Naw, there is a little welcome sign with my name on it.
The room was not only clean but stylish and homely. There was a bar fridge stocked with wine, milk and yoghurt: a coffee machine, breakfast and snack supplies. In the bathroom, there were fluffy white towels, makeup face towels, and toiletries.
The location - quiet neighbourhood, yet only a 10-minute walk to the beach or cafes. Even in the rain.
Verdict? Absolutely would recommend!
https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/40657659?source_impression_id=p3_1584496411_j9RkXMD98y5rNDkP
Two hotels: a few nights in Brisbane...
Ok, so many travels are being put on hold, but we can start planning. I always am. Let's talk hotels...
I'm a sucker for a nice hotel room - but never splurge too much on them. I like bang for buck. ;)
And these two Brisbane hotels didn't disappoint.
Pros - funky, great restaurant downstairs, rooftop pool area, huge room and bathroom, basic kitchen in the room, big windows for natural light.
Not that I got to use the pool - it was raining and not enticing enough the entire time I was there. And as for the kitchen - no, I don't cook while away on my own. But if I had the kids, it would have been handy.
Cons - old, fridge made noises
It also would have been handy to have a minibar price list in the room - just in case I wanted a glass of wine or paint an art piece.
Pros - great location in CBD, beautiful old-world style hotel including lobby, halls, bathroom and bedroom, an excellent coffee shop in the lobby
Cons - weird smell in lobby, dark room facing onto pool courtyard
Again, I didn't use the pool. The water was cold, and it was raining - it has to be hot, hot, hot for me to get wet without a wetsuit.
I loved the grandness from another era of the lobby.
Check out the pics to see what I’m talking about…
PHOTO TIP: Photographing hotel bathrooms
Photographing the bathroom… some tips beyond ‘make it look as pretty and spacious as possible’.
It's not the most exciting part of the hotel - but it's essential for people with access needs. They have to make sure they can use the bathroom safely and conveniently. By using photographs, you are answering their questions simply and quickly.
Here are some tips to get the photo.
use a wide-angle lens so you can capture the floor, shower and toilet in one frame
allow the potential customer to see the space and size of the area
if you don't have access to a wide-angle, try getting the image from different angles to show the different areas
keep your vertical lines (the walls) straight
photographing from the doorway is often the best place
When booking a shoot, ensure your Photographer knows these requirements. If not, they will photograph the bathroom in the most flattering way and perhaps not consider this.
CLIENT: Lush Pastures
A one hour Editorial photo shoot at Lush Pastures. The results…
Ever wondered what you get for a one hour Editorial style photo shoot? Here’s a recent shoot with Lush Pastures… great results for their Instagram and social media feed.
Escaping for a relaxing night at Lush Pastures
A relaxing weekend away… close to home. Eat, drink, sleep. And a wander.
Ever since I photographed Lush Pastures a few years back, I knew I wanted to come here for a night (or more). Now, I'm here. And not for work. And I'm excited.
The experience, for me, all starts with the drive down. Lush Pastures is just outside of Yankalilla, so I get to drive along one of my favourite roads away from Adelaide. The winding curves, the big bosom hills (that are looking so lush after winter) on one side and sparkling ocean on the other. I feel like I am a race car driver, scooting around the hillsides - even though I'm sitting on a speed that is similar to Granny driving (well, that's what I'll tell my Mum and Dad anyway).
When the road turns to dirt and we venture upwards, I know we are getting close. Surrounded by green paddocks, trees arching over the road and the odd farmhouse... Mother Nature's design of countryside, hills and valleys, I have no choice but to breathe deep and soak it in. Relaxation begins.
Cheryl and Andy greet us as we are getting out of the car, and show us around the property. The views from the pavilions are beautiful - especially with the blue sky and green winter grass. We look out over the hills to the ocean.
It's mid-afternoon, I have grand ideas of tramping around the paddocks but instead, find ourselves sitting with a bottle of wine and cheese board in the huge chairs that look out of Romeo, our pavilion. It's like a painting, the panoramic window framing the hills, ocean and sky perfectly. Chatting away, sipping wine and nibbling Fleurieu cheese, figs and gourmet crackers, it's hard to move. So we don't. Until dinner. When we have to wander a few metres over to the Lodge for more wine and three-course meal with Andy and Cheryl.
Blue cheese and fig creme brulee, spanakopita and dill pancake rolls with smoked salmon start us off. Beef short ribs, potato crisp and bok choy fill the tummy even more. Homemade vanilla ice cream with red desert lime marmalade, chilli plums and chocolate brownie nearly make me burst. All washed down with local K1 by Geoff Hardy wine.
The conversation goes from personal stories, the theatrics of a soccer game, sports stars, hilarious Australian humour to wine. Cheryl and Andy are great to chat to - but by 10 pm I'm ready to collapse into a food-induced coma. I waddle back to Romeo.
Waking up with no blinds, I love watching the sun change the shape and tone of the hills from under the covers. Gemma comes to the door for a pat before breakfast - and probably to tell us breakfast is ready, which (in the gentlest way) finally forces me out of bed. It is 9 am after all.
Breakfast is waiting for us in the Lodge. Luckily, I had a good nights sleep to rest my tummy after yesterdays food because this is a big, yummy feed of cereal, fruit, eggs, toast, yoghurt and endless coffee.
Now is definitely a great time for that walk. We wander through the paddocks to the dams - with Bella and Gemma in tow. Or, more so, leading the way. And then it's time to leave.
Driving back to Adelaide, we stop off to walk Normanville to Carrickalinga beach. My body is craving movement. I wonder why? Food coma, lots of wine and a good dose of relaxation... I feel like a different person.
Summer dreams at Seawall Apartments Glenelg - check them out!
Looking for somewhere nice to escape to? Check out Seawall Apartments.
Summer loving!
I can not wait until the warmer weather hangs around for day after day...
What better place to spend those summer days than at the beach. I'm lucky; I now live just a few minutes walk to the beach. But I'll still be taking a break at Seawall Apartments in Glenelg this summer. I love the place.
I've photographed Seawall a few times now over the years, as they renovate their rooms. And with each room being different - I will never get bored.
But what is so great about Seawall?
I love the style, the comfort, and the location.
My fave apartment?
Any of the beachfront ones... but Olive Court is kinda cool.
I love a beachfront spa - relaxing as I watch the sunset over the ocean. Ok, so it does take a bit to get used to seeing people while bathing... but I know they can't see me. Cue glass of bubbles and some music and I'm set for a good half hour. I just need to learn not to run the water so hot that I overheat.
The beach is just a few steps away, or I can walk a few minutes and be sipping a macchiato in a cafe along Jetty Road. Seawall is far enough away from the hustle and noise, but close enough to walk whenever I want the vibe.
Check them out! And visit www.seawallapartments.com.au for more info (and to see the rest of my pics:))
Taking a look inside my One Hour Editorial Photo Package...
Ever wondered what you get for your one hour Editorial photo shoot? Here is a sample from a recent shoot in Port Lincoln.
Over the last month, I have been doing some Regional Photo Tours.
I photographed towns, landscapes, sheep station, caravan parks, hotels, food and driven many kilometres (stopping every time I saw great light and a nice scene). I've had a lot of fun and got some really beautiful photos for my Clients.
Here is a sneak peek of what sort of photos you get from the one-hour editorial photo shoot. These are taken for Port Lincoln Hotel on my recent Eyre Peninsula tour.
Think this would work for you? Email me for some more details.
