Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
For the love of life. Personal and professional development.
Learning - go on the journey of development for life. Conferences are just one way.
Do you believe in constantly improving yourself and your knowledge? Do you like learning new things? Do you strive for getting better? I do. I love learning.
This year, I made a resolution to stop learning and start implementing. That resolution got broken a few months in when I signed up for Marie Forleo's B-School. Then, again, when I signed up for a blogging business pack. And now, here I am in Perth, with a sore bum, having been in a three-day conference.
The 2015 Nikon AIPP Event is an annual event held each year, for photographers and videographers to learn, be inspired and network. This year, it was in Perth. Next year it's in Melbourne.
I love the conference, and although I didn't have major 'aha' moments this year, I have come away massively inspired and with warm fuzzies, having gained more photography friends. Listening to amazing creatives such as Ryan Schembri, Patrick Moreau, and Cameron Frost while chatting with photography icons David Dare Parker and Brooke Shaden, I love the passion we all share.
Takeaways for a making the most of a conference?
1. Talk to as many people as you can. Overcome your shyness. We are all in the same situation.
2. Give away more positivity - in the form of comments, compliments or just telling someone they did a good job/you like their product.
3. Three-day conferences are long. Don't feel bad if you have to stand up at the back of the room. Also, don't eat too much heavy food at lunch and get the snooze happening.
4. Enjoy the networking nights that are booze filled - but not too much. You paid good money to go, why waste it on needing to stay in bed or feel crap.
5. Get out and wander outside whenever you can. The fresh air and sun rejuvenates you for the next session.
6. Don't be afraid to approach the speakers - they are only human, like us. They are not a better human being than us; we are all the same.
So, what do you do for personal development? If we aren't growing, where are we going? If life is a journey, we need to be constantly moving forward, pushing ourselves to learn and experience new things. Imagine being stuck at a crossroad for life - never experiencing what lies beyond. Imagine what we are missing out on while waiting and not moving forward.
Tell me your plans...
Why is travel so addictive?
Travel at what cost?
I had my first overseas holiday in 2012 - with my mum, cousin and Aunty. We went to Bali and stayed in Legian. A very different Bali to the country Aussies visit now.
I then lived in Brazil for a year. Then went on an around the world six-week trip. Then lived in various parts of Europe for over a year. I've also had lots of holidays to exotic destinations over the years. Yes, I've spent lots of money on travel. But what cost can you put on the experience, cultural learning and fun?
Travel is something that will last a lifetime, unlike the newest iPhone or TV. I'm happy to go without some 'luxuries' to save my money for travel. I'll even trade presents for a trip. Any day (or year).
What do you give up to travel?
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.
Who wants to see Sir Bob Geldof in Adelaide?
Sir Bob Geldof is going to be in Adelaide, speaking and motivating a room full of people at the Hilton, on Wednesday 25th March 2015. It's early, but so worth it. 7-9am. Start your day off right.
Imagine being in the same room as the brains behind Live 8, which brought in over $45 billion of aid and debt cancellation to Africa… and someone who has been nominated for the Noble Prize 8 times, more than anyone else...
http://www.businesschicks.com.au/events/sa/250/adelaide-business-chicks-breakfast-with-sir-bob-geldof
At a Business Chicks breakfast you can network with other energetic people, eat yummy-licious food, be inspired by ultra successful people, and dance out with a fab goodie bag. These tickets usually sell for $149 each.
Who wants to be there for free? I am giving away two tickets - so one lucky person can bring a friend for free too.
Get motivated, get inspired, get pumped.
How do you get the tickets? Comment below with your fave inspirational quote. You have until Wednesday 18th March - get inspired peeps!!
P.S. Subscribe to my blog so you won't miss the next giveaway either. :)
SAPPA and APPA photo awards 2014
The results are in. Over the last couple of months many photographers have put their hearts on photographic paper and entered the AIPP (Aust. Institute of Professional Photography) APPA (Aust. Professional Photography Awards) and SAPPA (SA Pro Photog. Awards) awards. I was one of them. And although I may not be completely happy with my results, I know I should be. These awards are hard. Getting an award is something to be celebrated.
Below are my prints that I entered in the APPA's. (These all received Silvers at SAPPA). At APPA all received Professional Standard, with one gaining Silver. One other image was one point off Silver too. They were judged by the best of the best of my peers, so to impress them is something.
BE DETERMINED TO MOVE ON AND UP… ALWAYS BE READY TO LEARN. EVEN FOR THE MASTERS.
A weekend away at Seawall Apartments Glenelg
After hanging out with the good folk at Seawall so much over the last year, updating their gallery of pics, I finally manage to stay. Purely my fault for taking so long.
A weekend of working ON the business, coffees and a wine or two. What an awesome place to hang and create. The beachfront room, with private balcony just adds to the awe factor. With The Glenelg precinct just minutes away (by foot) it would be easy to spend all day out, but I am so comfy watching the world go by, rugged up with glass of wine in hand on the balcony or comfy sofas inside. Oh, it's a hard life. Thanks to my cousin Shaya from The Family Law Project for laying the hard q's on me, and getting a different train of thought started.
Www.thefamilylawproject.com.au And of course, www.seawallapartments.com.au
Casting the net
Sometimes we have to take our chances to expand our catch. Take risks to grow. Sometimes we will miss. But we can always try again.
