Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
Saying goodbye to 2017... and hello to 2018.
Thinking about 2017 and looking forward to 2018. So much movement... looking forward to making mistakes. Yes, I am!
December is a month of parties, holidays, family, friends and lot of eating and drinking.
I also like to take time to reflect on my year, see where I have come from and what I have achieved, along with looking forward. Planning on what I'm going to do next year, what I'm going to accomplish and experience.
It's been a massive year for me personally and professionally. When I look back at my calendar and see everything I have done - it really does show I like to 'do', and 'rest' is something I put on the 'do later' list.
My fave memories of 2017...
One month in Tasmania
I've always dreamt of travelling around Australia in a van. This trip was a taster. And let me tell you, it's a great way of life. One month in Tasmania is not long enough, but I got to see a lot - for fun and work. I had about six commissioned shoots while there, which was a perfect amount when travelling and acting 'tourist'.
Helicopter flight
A bucket list item of mine was to go for a ride in a helicopter. So when I was asked if I'd like to photograph an article about a winery tour via helicopter, of course, I said yes. I felt very much the VIP arriving at each cellar door by private helicopter while tourists clicked away at us with their cameras. The views over the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu area were impressive too - I especially loved cruising along the coast spotting dolphins.
Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail hike
The negatives? I did it in winter, froze and got wet. The positives? Wow, an amazing walk. One of the best I have done. The landscape changes enough to keep me entertained, and there is lots of clifftop walking with amazing views of the ocean to keep me in a trance of zen.
'Dream' work
It's always been a dream of mine to be a Tourism Photographer. I can now own that title comfortably. I've worked with many tourism operators this past year and loved how I can help their business grow. One of my dream weeks consisted of being flown out to two locations for shoots on different days. Being paid to travel. I love to go behind the scenes, and these two jobs were very much that.
Presenting a photography workshop for tourism operators
SATIC asked me to give a workshop with MadPants Media on photography and videography for tourism operators. I had a ball explaining, and showing, our attendees how to get better pics with any camera. I love to help, and the satisfaction of seeing something 'click' for people is immense.
Catching unbroken waves
I've been surfing for a few years, but this year I tried to get out nearly every week. It's made me a (slightly) better surfer, and now I can get out the back and catch the unbroken waves. I've been dumped, but that is becoming less frequent as I learn what and when to catch waves.
Learning bachata and continuing my salsa
Another activity to feed my soul. And something that I've wanted to do for many years, since experiencing dance in Brazil in 1998. And of course, I was always the Dirty Dancing tragic. I describe dance as my moving meditation. But I'm yet to let myself be totally free when dancing - I'll make that a goal for 2018.
Regional Tours
A way of helping regional tourism, discovering new places and creating. I've travelled to the Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Flinders Ranges and Clare Valley for these tours. Local businesses can take advantage of no travel fees, a range of packages to suit budgets and free social media pics. I've loved exploring our beautiful country and helping businesses along the way.
La Bomba latin dance project
Last year I did a solo exhibition called Salty Girls - telling the story of women in the SurferGirls group. This year I wanted to continue with another big interest in my life, and tell its story. I decided to focus on dance. The idea of telling the story of La Bomba through her students came to me - and I didn't turn back. It's the biggest personal project I've ever done. The first shoot was on 1st September. So far I've worked more than 60 hours and photographed 28 people. This is my last week and I have four more people planned to photograph. Then the retouching and exhibition prep begins.
So, always believing that I need to 'one up', here it is...
I hope in 2018...
to make mistakes. This means I'm learning, trying new things, making new things, pushing myself and changing my world. It's growth; it's life.
My family and friends are healthy, succeeding and living their purpose too.
I know in 2018...
I am going to succeed. In everything I do. Movement and progress is the success.
I'm going to live life my way. At the end of the day if I'm not making myself happy, then I'm not doing it.
Cuba is waiting for me! Another bucket list item. And I am grateful to be doing it with my dance school.
I will continue to show the world off to the world - inspiring people to get out, explore and learn. Learn about life, respect, culture and people.
Just a thought on travel and exploring...
Wander and wonder. Why not?
No surprise I love to travel. I believe it's a great learning experience. And it's a great way to immerse myself in the idea of...
Question. Be curious. Explore new places. Meet new people. Do different things.
Getting arty farty...
Switching the brain from commissioned brief driven to creative. Eek.
Occasionally I have the time to think about creating, getting arty. I've done a few exhibitions now, and love the learning curve I get from it.
With my commercial photography, I shoot to a brief. When you sell a destination or company, you can't get too artistic and creative with what you show. It needs to tell the story.
Sometimes I struggle coming out of this mode and into creating mode. It takes a while. And I feel like a complete newbie.
Recently, while resourcing a new personal project, I found some drafts from one of my recent exhibitions. Salty Stories.
I enjoy looking back at my process from first concepts to final pieces... from 'let's put everything in one photo' to simple and soft.
The final 3 images are the exhibition pieces (in order from what I least to most liked).
Fears. Ignore or lean in?
Should you listen to your instincts, no matter how crazy?
I went surfing. It wasn’t the best surf, but I really wanted to get out. I tried the day before, but it was even worse. So I was adamant. But, I didn’t last long. There were only three other people out in the ocean; I got paranoid about sharks, then felt tugs at my leg rope. I’d only been in 20 minutes.
But, when I get chilled, I get out. I guess it’s listening to my instincts (even when they are irrational). I hope by doing this, I’m telling my instincts that I value them and will listen to them. It’s so important.
There is a thing about leaning into your fear. Living just outside your comfort zone. But it’s just that - ‘just’ outside of your comfort zone. A place where you may fail, but it won’t hurt too hard. Let’s live there. We will grow, experience more, learn more, live more dreams.
How do you live out of your comfort zone? Do you listen to your instincts?
Why can't we dream big? And get it.
Abundance. We can all get it, if we want it. Why can't we dream big and get there? Not all celebrities were born famous? Some had a dream, and went for it. The same goes for everybody else, particularly in the first world. We have the resources, we have the freedom, we have the option. So what is stopping us?
Thoughts become actions, actions become reality.
Self belief is required.
I often look up to other people, see what they achieve and wish I could have or be like them. Negative thoughts enter 'I'm not good enough' or 'I don't have time for that'. Or even worse, 'people will laugh and talk about me'. It causes procrastination.
Lately, I have come across a few sayings I want to be my mantras.
'If they can do it, so can I.'
'People are too busy worrying about what they look like to worry about what you are doing.'
What is your mantra?
Do what you love. Why not?
Do something fun! Live life. Throw yourself in… sometimes.
Remember when we were kids? We used to do what we want, and not care too much for what others thought. Imagine if adults could be more like kids? Wouldn't it be fun. I'm not sure what I world would look like - but it would be different.
Once a day, at least, do something fun. It could be singing in the shower, it could be saying hello to a stranger, it could be jumping on the bed… heck, you could even put on wellies and jump in muddy puddles.
The importance of having goals, but being flexible.
Set goals. Dream big. Accept movement.
Have goals. Live your dreams. But don't forget that sometimes, the path can take turns, have pitstops or end slightly off course. The goal you were once striving for may have changed colour, shape and form. Or, another goal may be in it's place. Accept that goals and dreams change, but don't forget to set them.
