SATIC 2015 conference at Crowne Plaza Adelaide

On Wednesday this week, a few hundred of SA's tourism industry crowded into the conference rooms at Crowne Plaza Adelaide for the annual conference. A day of facts, figures, inspiration, tips and networking. It's the third year I have photographed it, and love it. I guess it's a perk of my job - having to go to events, meet people, learn new things and get paid for it.

I love the Crowne Plaza. I have stayed with them, I have been a conference attendee, and of course - I have photographed their lovely spaces. One bonus attendees get out of attending a conference here is the views. Morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and networking drinks with a 15th floor outlook over Adelaide CBD. Perhaps not so good for the faint hearted dealing with heights, but for everyone else - wow. Floor to ceiling glass windows and an outdoor balcony look over Hindmarsh Square to the south of the city. 

No shortage of hotels in the area...

Dean Evans from Leading Minds Australia had some interesting info to share about leadership, getting out of your comfort zone and fantastic customer service. I want to continue to lean into my fear more, and one of his slides I NEED to pin up on my wall, behind my computer screens. Where my magic life sits is just beyond my comfort zone...

Social media is part of our lives, and a big part of our marketing now. I've got on to Instagram (and love it) finally, and love some treasures that Rebecca White from Tourism eSchool shared. 1888 Hotel in Sydney really encourage all of their guests to get on social media, and even have a neighbourhood map showing different points of interest, with #hashtag and Instagram points. Get your clients raving about you!

Conferences are a great way to learn up to date information, network with peers and be inspired. My next AIPP The Event is going to be in Perth - can't wait. I'll hashtag and Instagram my way through it. :)

Not every hotel in the area has balconies...

www.satic.com.au

www.crowneplazaadelaide.com.au

Photo tip: blurry pics

We normally concentrate on getting photos that are crisp, clear and in focus. But sometimes, blur and 'fuzz' can work for us. The water lapping up on the beach looks better when it is blurred (softer). You can see how fast something is going when there is some blur. And sometimes, blur just makes the photo more interesting. Just because. It adds emotion and context. 

I do remember being told that some Asian countries don't like it though - believe it's something to do with spirits. When I'm on a paid shoot now, I always ask the client first. I must find out more about that belief...

Anyway - how to get purposefully blurry photos.

In Manual mode

Lower the shutter as slow as you can hand hold. For me, this is normally about 1/60 or 1/30 depending on what lens I'm using. A tripod comes in very handy, especially if you are photographing slow-moving objects. After all, you do want some elements of the image to be sharp - the non-moving walls, houses, cliffs and so on.

A beach shot I took recently involved keeping the shutter open for 5 seconds. A remote shutter release or even self-timer is helpful in stopping camera movement here. 

The pics shown here were both handheld, probably at 1/60 or something like that. People moving close to the camera, and across the frame, are going to have more blur than people further away or walking to/from the camera.

Tip: When you ask people to walk quickly, make sure they don't look like they are running or walking like a robot. Many times I have asked people to walk quickly, and they raise their arms like in a power walk. Looks weird. As can feet. Take lots of pics to get exactly the right moment when legs and feet look right. May sound weird, but try it - you will see how weird feet and legs can look.

In Auto mode 

Night Scenery or Night Portrait are options that hold the shutter open for longer. 

However, if you have it, use Shutter Priority. Shutter Priority means you set the shutter speed, and the camera works out the rest. Trial and error here. Work out what setting suits you, and remember to keep steady. 

Look at your pics on the back of your camera, and try out different shutter speeds. If you are using an iPhone, get the 'Manual' app and have some fun with this.

Tips to keep steady while using a slow shutter speed

brace your arms into your stomach

lean against something

breathe out and take the pic

Whyalla - oh what a surprise.

When people asked where I was going next, I'd say 'Whyalla' and then wait for their response. Most times, it would be a look of confusion, followed by a 'why?' I have never thought of Whyalla as a destination in itself, or that I'd be catching an airplane to go there. I had a pre-conceived idea that it was a dusty, dirty, boring town in the middle of nowhere. A town I'd use as a pit stop or stopover on the way somewhere.

Yes, it is dusty. Red dust sits on the road, the curbs, the galvanised fences. Yes, it is nearly in the middle of nowhere. Like an oasis in the middle of the desert, there are some surprises in Whyalla that make me rub my eyes and say 'is that here'. The foreshore gets my attention. I see it while up on Hummock's Hill. To my right is the steel works plant lit up like a Christmas tree, smoke puffing out of chimneys. 'It's actually really photographic', I comment. Now, that doesn't mean it's pretty, but it would be interesting to photograph. Very interesting. Lots of graphic lines and colour. 

And to my left I can see the foreshore, with a marina at the end closest to us, at the foot of Hummock's Hill. Our local tells us that dolphins follow the boats in, so we wander down to the floating jetty to see if we can spot any. We luck out. I turn my attention to the foreshore precinct. Lawns, a huge playground for kids, permanent shades on the beach (which, unfortunately, was covered in seaweed), surf club, cafe and a long boardwalk lit up along the length. It is beautiful. We organise to come down the next morning, meet the locals that are out getting fit, and grab some sunrise pics. 

Discovering surprises like this is why I like to explore the towns and areas we travel through. I never know what I'm going to find. Sometimes there are treasures waiting - not always, but when there are, it's worth it. Journeys and detours can be as fun and interesting as the destination itself.

Photo Tip: Leading lines

Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

There are many 'rules' to taking a beautiful and interesting photograph. One of these is the use of leading lines. Leading lines draw the eye into the photograph and are especially good if you have something of interest and want to focus on, at the end. Draw the eye through your photograph with something graphic. Pull the viewers eye through where you want it to go.

Farm driveway near Strathalbyn, South Australia

Some leading line objects could be...

fences

roads

rows of objects (ie trees/houses/bottles)

the break of water on a beach

power lines

objects dotted in a line (ie kids toys leading to a messy child looking guilty)

stalls/shops at an event

getting in close to a window or sign and photogrpahing along it, with the 'scene' at the end or 'up the back' of the picture

Seaworld with two tired little kids

Theme Parks. It isn't top of our priority list of 'to do' activities on holiday, but we manage to get some free tickets to Seaworld while staying at Gold Coast. So we figure, why not? The kids are getting up with the sun which makes us one of the first at the gate. We are up and ready so early we have time to go to a shopping centre on the way there, and then still have a twenty-minute wait in line before the gates open.

The park is a lot smaller than I imagined, but still plenty to do. We know we will be on somewhat of a time limit, with Ashton already yawning, so make a list of priorities. On route to our first show, we stop off to watch the dolphins playing with some guests in the water. It's fascinating for me, but the kids nag to move on after only a few minutes. It might be a quick trip to Seaworld at this rate, sweeping through each attraction every few minutes!

Dolphins are beautiful creatures, but I do wonder how they feel about being kept in small pens. As a staff whistle blows for one dolphin to jump out of the water, I watch as a pod swim around and around the parameter of a pen. 

One of my favourite attractions is the sea lion show. Entertainment for all ages. The kids (mainly) sit through the whole show, laughing and captivated by the story. I giggle away as the sea lion flaps and shuffles across the stage, down slides and through doors, in actor mode. 

Dora is on our list, as is the kids carnival area, but surprisingly, the underwater viewing area is a big hit with the kids. An amazing walkway, which is a bit scary for Belle to walk down (I don't know why), takes us under the water to see turtles, sharks, fish and all sorts of marine life. We end up down here for nearly an hour. It's busy, but with so much glass, it's easy enough to find a spot to watch. The kids squeeze in between people when they spot something and have to see the creature 'now'.

Just on three hours after getting in the gate, we are leaving again. We have seen only a small section of the park, slurped down iceblocks, flew through the air on the kiddy airplane ride twice each, and pulled a screaming kid away from stuffed toys at the polar bear shop. Our dear Belle fell in love with a white polar bear with a blue rug - but I couldn't 'bear' another stuffed toy in our house. Daddy also got slapped by our very tired and overstimulated little boy - probably for not letting him have another ice cream. Home time!

But, of course, we have one final hurdle. The shop everyone has to walk through to exit Seaworld. The polar bears with blue blankets are back. Argh. Belle goes crazy, trying to look at everything while I try to be cunning with attention-grabbing her to outside. Ten minutes later, we are out.

5/10 experience. Not because of the park, but because of our tired kids. 

Tips to remember for next time...

Perhaps best to do this at the start of the holiday - it's tiring stuff.

There are no swimming pools in the main area, so don't bother with taking bathers and towels. That is one less bag to lug around.

Get there early. Beat the heat, the crowds aren't as hectic, and the kids get tired easily.

Expect the souvenir shops, and prepare for them. Perhaps the kids can earn pocket money, and take that.

Don't take tired kids. It's no fun.

If theme parks are the reason for the trip, Seaworld Resort would be a good accommodation option.

Are you a www?

Don't be a www - weekend work warrior. Get out, enjoy and rejuvenate. Happy Mothers Day to all mummies on Sunday! They do an amazing job. I know how hard it can be. Xx

Let others take pics...

Me prepping for the ultra fresh water - squealing while dipping my toes in - after stepping on all the prickles in the grass. Photo by Holli. 

"Ahh! It's your work camera!" "And you let him use it?" This is the normal reaction I get when I hand over my D800 to my four-year-old to take some pics. To my defense - I make sure the camera strap is around his neck and let him go for it. Yes, he could drop it, but I trust him. And he hasn't dropped it yet. He's probably more careful than I am.

Belle finally trying some water action with her cousin Abbey. I don't think they got much faster than this. :) Photo by Ben (hubby).

So, while on holiday in Barmera this Easter, I decided to give others the reins to my baby. While I was driving my dad's baby - his 350 Chevy speedboat (a bit too hard apparently?), I couldn't safely do both. I mean, I'm meant to watch where I'm going  - especially with the nutbags that I saw up there - out on the water. 

My Dad has always loved going for one ski a trip - pulling and tugging the boat around for those 10 minutes. You can see the joy on his face as he sprays litres of water up in the air.

Hubby, nephew, and niece had a go. And they did a great job. Most of the pics were taken while I was driving the boat - so shutter speed and motion blur was a real issue. And that's not saying anything about my driving. I set it on the shutter priority at about 1/800, and off they snapped.

My nephew Jake - he'll hate me for this pic. Or should I say, Ben (Hubby). 

It's interesting to see how others see the world through the lens. And it's important too. Think of the memories they are creating for years to come IF you store them correctly. (More about that later.) And, importantly, it's a great opportunity for you to step out from behind the camera and be also remembered.

It's a tragedy to go through life and not have photos to reflect on. We will always look back at our younger self and admire the youth and beauty we behold - even if we don't think so at present. 

My niece, Holli, took this photo. She loves the camera the most - and I want to nurture that.

Kangaroo Island - a holiday 'overseas' yet close to home.

Kangaroo Island - I don't think I can get enough of it. And soon, I'm hoping I'll be lukcy enough to go back. AIPP (Aust Institue of Professional Photographers) are working with National Archives, Australian War Memorial and RSL to photograph as many WWII Veterans as we can between now and July 2015. 

I have volunteered to photograph veterans in the Blackwood, Mitcham, Yankalilla and Kangaroo Island areas. We have at least one living on KI, so soon… I'll be back.

www.aippveterans.com

I have been to KI many times, with my dad when I was younger, on work trips. On a few work trips myself, and with the family on holiday. Each trip has given me different experiences. Racing Dad up the highest hill on the island, walking along stormy beaches at sunrise, fish and chips seaside at Kingscote, sliding down sand dunes at Little Sahara and standing in awe at the sea lions at Seal Bay. Flinders Chase and our camping in a week of rain are two complete stories themselves.

What do they say about the journey? Getting over to KI can be half the fun. We always go by ferry, at Cape Jervis - and the experiences I've had onboard always surprise me.

With the old ferry, I remember sitting up front during a storm, getting pelted with sea water as we crashed down from wave to wave while Dad was downstairs barely keeping his dinner down.

On my last trip, I remember not knowing where to look, as one by one, (what seemed like) everyone around me started using the vomit bags. Boy, I wish I had and eye mask and headphones.

And of course, on our family trip, I will never forget my daughter getting her fingers squashed in the toilet door. Ouch, you say. Yes, especially considering the door was an outside heavy, storm door that I had to lean my weight against to push open. Staff ran around busily, trying to stop her screaming and see what damage was done. A killer python lolly fixed the screaming, and a trip to the hospital was recommended on arrival in Kangaroo Island. Thankfully for us, and her, by the time we got off and started driving, her fingers were starting to form shape again. And the pain had virtually gone. 

I love the diversity, peacefulness and beauty. There are kangaroos, birds, beaches, country roads - plus good country folk, wine, food and coffee. Hey, there is a festival (FEASTival) for a reason. This island is a photographers worst enemy when trying to keep track of time and on schedule. But I could think of many worse places to 'get carried away' and immerse myself. 

I took photos while we were on holiday, but tragically, due to not watching little fingers on little people, I lost all my images shot at Seal Bay and Little Sahara. I am itching to get back to photograph these - hoping there will be beautiful skies, male sea lions fighting, and plenty of sand-boarders to keep my appetite settled - the things we had on holiday. 

Please keep your ears and eyes open for any veterans - in KI, or anywhere in Australia. We want to photograph them all. www.aippveterans.com for more info about the project.

www.sealink.com.au

www.sealbay.sa.gov.au

www.southaustralia.com

www.tourkangarooisland.com.au

Mums in business

The arty child perhaps?

There is a common thread in my world of chit-chat at the moment. And it's the responsibilities and pressures that come with being in business for yourself, being an entrepreneur and being mum. How do you cope?

Kids keep you young while giving you grey hairs. Try work that one out.

My work days are commonly split between edit days and shoot days. A common 'edit' day for me is… 

6am woken up by kids

6.30am-8.30am Drag myself out of bed, make breakfast for the kids, myself, make lunches if hubby hasn't, nag the kids about getting dressed/brushing their teeth/doing hair/cleaning face, clean up their mess, nag some more, nag some more, frantically leave the house in time for school and child care drop offs. Often, when I finally fall in the car, I hear myself saying 'right, from now on, there is no TV or play until you are dressed'. 

8.30-9.15am Drop kids off at school and day care

9.30-10.15am Squeeze in some form of exercise. At home - driving or prepping myself to be anywhere is too time consuming. Yoga, latin dance, HIIT or a jog are my go-to's.

Before the kids wake up… I can have time to myself - if I set the alarm for 5.30am. No way!

10.30am After a quick shower, head down to the office and start work. A mountain of emails, training, editing, estimates and proposals, social media, and phone calls fill the day until 2.45pm. I leave the desk, with a stiff back, thinking about what stuff I didn't get done, and what needs to be done tonight.

And if I'm on a shoot, I could be anywhere. Nice lush hotel rooms to getting down and dirty with, trying to shoot young adults looking 'not awkward' on Uni campus.

2.45-8pm Go pick up kids, get after school snack, do homework, make dinner, clean up, eat dinner, clean up, baths/teeth, read books to kids in bed. Give the kids a back rub (yes, they are spoilt from massages overseas and love them). And then, hopefully, they will go to sleep.

Living my uni life (that I never had), photographing students.

8.15pm Make a cup of tea, have a quick chat with hubby and head down to office.

10.30pm After cramming some more work in, hopefully I'll be able to pull myself away from the computer, and can enjoy 10 minutes of reading in bed. Otherwise, it's an 11.30pm (ish) finish, and straight to bed.

Sleep, repeat. Sleep, repeat.

Now, these 'edit' days are easy days. The days when I have shoots that don't work in between school hours or child care days (and let's face it, how often can you solely work in between 9.30-2.30pm) - I then have to organise people to pick up kids, or  book into OSCH, or get Grandma to look after them, or hubby to finish work early and pick them up. And the weeks when I work away - then we have a live in Grandma. I am so grateful we have wonderful family around us, to support our life choices of following our passion, and not have the kids in full time care.

When do we do cleaning? Oh, we squeeze that in whenever we can. Excuse us, if the house isn't spotless when you come. We have better things to do than scrub the tiles with a toothbrush on a Saturday night. But only just. Last night, being Saturday, I went to a 40th, bought the kids home for the bedtime routine, did some study while doing my physio exercises, then hung out the washing. Sounds fun, yeah? Ten years ago, my Saturday night routine would have been 'just slightly' different. I'm sure a few of you out there understand.

Sometimes we manage a civil meal, all together at the table. Most nights, one is slumping in their chair, one is zooming a car around their plate, and the 'talking stick' is having to be passed around to give everyone a chance.

How about cooking? Well, that has become quite the routine. With our daughter only eating plain, individual food, we make two dinners. One for us, and one for her. We used to eat stir fry, pasta and spicy dishes most nights - now it's meat and three veg, eggs, hash meals (whatever you can find in the fridge, stir fried) and roast chickens (the only meat she will eat apart from sausages, if you can call them a meat). Well, that was until my naturopath put me on a restricted diet of ultra limited intake of lactose, wheat and meat. Yay.

And sometimes the family comes to work with me… cheap labour. :)

My work days don't run like a business week either. Being a photographer, my 'shoot' days are all over the day - and can be on weekends too. A calendar is essential. And a synced calendar with hubby is an abolute necessary.

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have a 'normal' job where I go out three days a week, work my 9-5, then come home. When at home, I can enjoy life and family without having work thoughts running around in my head. Then I remember how much fun I'm having. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Life, at the moment, is like I'm running on a treadmill at speed 10, incline 10. Someimes I stumble, but I keep the momentum. My legs are strong, I will continue. That's what you do when you are passionate - multi passionate.

Cheers to a life of chasing dreams and following your passion!

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