PHOTO TIP: Photographing hotel bathrooms

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: Oceanview Eco Villas

Part 2: Open and ready for you!

Oceanview Eco Villas is a luxurious and memorable off the grid experience. Tim and Tamsin Wendt have built these villas on their stunning 500-acre coastal property at Nepean Bay on Kangaroo Island.

It's a place to relax and get yourself back into nature. Either watching the kangaroos grazing while you relax on your deck, sipping wine while relaxing back in the large bath while watching the sunset, or being more active outside. There are trails through the yackas and beach walks, where you can encounter kangaroos, birds and other wildlife.

And the eco part is pretty amazing too — Eco designers, solar power, eco products and technology plus completely off-grid. The list is endless; check out their website to be wowed.

I've been to Oceanview Eco Villas twice for photoshoots now. Each time I took a little time to wander around the property early morning - I found it a balancing way to start the day. I could hear the birds sing, see the kangaroos graze and watch the colours of early morning ooze across the sky.

Check out more pics and info here.

Southern Flinders Ranges

Look closely; there's so much to discover! I wish I had before now.

There's art, wine, trails, pubs, fishing, food... and the beautiful landscape that makes the Flinders Ranges. But closer to Adelaide - making it a more accessible option for a quick getaway.

Over two days, I discovered the area, photographing it for Flinders Ranges and Outback tourism. From being in awe of the Wirrabara silo art detail (which I eventually remembered how to pronounce) to hiking through the bush. 'Just around the corner' taking us further and further inland to find the ideal spot to photograph. Not that I cared, it was all beautiful, and I love hiking. Warming up with coffee by the fire at Over the Edge and wine by the big fire later that night at Under the Mount made it all the sweeter.

My favourite town here is Melrose. She melted me: the buildings, the surrounding landscape, the country friendliness. I wanted to stay longer. Perhaps without the sub-zero morning temperatures though.

My takeaway. Stay longer.

https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park/Browse_by_region/flinders-ranges-outback/mount-remarkable-national-park - great for bike riding and hikes

https://otesports.com/locations/melrose/ - cafe and all things bikes

https://www.underthemount.com.au/ - has to be the best fire in town!

https://wirrabara.com.au/silo-art - silo art that inspires

https://reservoirs.sa.gov.au/reservoirs/beetaloo - fishing

Flinders Ranges

Who's been to the Flinders? I used to go as a child. Camping, hiking, Grandpa catching rabbits for tea that night, my cousins and I making graves, complete with named headstones, for the baby ones caught.

I've taken my kids camping up there too.

But recently I've been working around the Flinders - and discovering how much there is. Station stays, food, helicopter flights, beautiful accommodation. It's not all camping and hiking. The landscape, the feeling, the weathered peaks and rocky gorges... they are a given. It really is one of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes I've seen.

The Flinders Ranges is the largest mountain range in South Australia, which starts about 200 km north of Adelaide and stretch for over 400km. I follow the main highways, back roads to stations and even some scenic off-road tracks (in my little VW Golf) when I take the wrong way. It's all quite an entertaining adventure.

Pics below:

https://www.facebook.com/flindersfoodco/ - delicious food in Hawker

https://southaustralia.com/products/flinders-ranges/attraction/kanyaka-ruins-station - some history

https://www.barossahelicopters.com.au/parachilna/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4MmwlZvo5AIVjYRwCh2PWAA4EAAYASAAEgJaMPD_BwE - fly over the Flinders

http://www.stationstayssa.com.au/station/mt-little-station/ - farm stay

https://www.jeffmorgangallery.com.au/ - art gallery in Hawker

https://southaustralia.com/products/flinders-ranges/attraction/old-wilpena-station - some history at Wilpena

Prairie Hotel, Parachilna

When I first started doing vision boards, a photo of the Prairie Hotel was on one. It was actually a journal I had covered with photos of what I want to do, where I want to go, and who I want to be.

I didn't know much about the hotel, but I knew it looked awesome, was in the middle of nowhere and you could stand outside have a drink looking out over vast empty land. And it was in northern South Australia, in the Flinders Ranges. All very doable.

I 'ticked' it off my list a few years ago, visiting for lunch while camping at Wilpena Pound. I love how we can 'pop over' to Parachilna, two hours from Wilpena, for lunch, but yet in Adelaide a 45 minute drive is a consideration for lunch.

A couple of months ago, I stayed at Prairie Hotel en route to Innamincka. I sat by the outside fire, glass of wine in hand, chatting to people. I watched people come and go in the front bar while sipping my (err, third) coffee next morning. I even 'oohed' and 'ahhed' over the inspiring views I had with a chopper flight over the Flinders Ranges early morning.

Why go to the Prairie Hotel? The yummy food, the comfy bed, and the quiet vastness that envelopes the hotel are my fave reasons. It's also a great place to refresh on your drive.

Strzelecki Track, the outback and Innamincka

I am an ocean girl. It's where I feel happiest, most alive, relaxed and 'at home'. So to take me to the Outback is a little adventure. I love my adventures, where I discover, learn and have fun. Then re-align myself with the ocean when I get back home.

I had a photoshoot for The Outback Loop, Innamincka Hotel and Flinders Ranges and Outback this year. It took me on a long weekend trip into the Outback via the Strzelecki Track. Lots of red dust and billions of flies. I didn't mind the dust (although the camera probably hated me for it) but the flies - argh, I can never get used to them. We would arrive anywhere, in the middle of nowhere, and within seconds, have flies swarming us. My hands were working a constant windscreen wiper motion across my face.

But it was worth it. The beauty of being surrounded by vast nothingness. The quietness. The colours. The people. The history of Burke and Wills. And let's not forget the dancing in the front bar - true country style, after a few beers (or wine for me).

Country life depends on community, weather and the natural environment. Visiting this area is a real world classroom. At least once, everyone should get themselves into the Outback.

CLIENT: West Beach Parks

Want to get away but not have to drive for hours? I've been told many people come and stay here so that they can escape the norm. It's central, on the coast and has everything. This is definitely the place to come to make sure the kids have fun - and give you enough time to enjoy your cuppa and book in peace.

Pools, games rooms, waterslides, waterpark, playground, jumping pillow, cafe and now fitness centre, sensory room and loads of x-boxes (or whatever they are ;)). Seriously, you could have a whole morning or afternoon without seeing the kids!

I was back at West Beach Parks last month to photograph the upgraded games area plus the new gym and sensory room. I am impressed - caravan parks are offering so much now. Especially for families - it's a perfect accommodation choice. Maybe I'll be heading to West Beach next holidays?

https://www.westbeachparks.com.au/

Coober Pedy and The Breakaways

Coober Pedy is a town in northern South Australia, 846 km north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway. It's in the desert - the South Australia outback. It can get hot here, but not when I visit in June. In June, the sun is out, but the wind that whips along the open vastness can be chilling.

Much of the town has been built underground in a bid to get away from the summer heat. It's what makes this town quirky and interesting. Visitors can stay in underground houses and hotels, visit cafes, shops, galleries and churches and of course, go down the mines.

Coober Pedy is also known as the Opal Capital of the World. You can find your own or purchase from the many stores.

Just north of Coober Pedy is The Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park. It is a protected aboriginal heritage site and one of South Australia's Outback 'sights to be seen'.

An inland sea once covered the Breakaways. Today it is a rocky and colourful landscape that looks like it's from another world.

The dog fence is also here - a 2m high wire barrier that stretches for over 5,300km across three States. It protects the Southern farming country from the Dingo.

The best time to see the awesome Breakaways is sunrise or sunset, when the colours intensify and the shadows that fill the land add drama. It's no secret - everyone comes at this time.

CLIENT: Upalinna Station, Flinders Ranges

Upalinna means 'Little Water' in the Adnyamathana language.

Upalinna is a family-owned and operated working sheep station, located on the Eastern side of Ikara Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Don't do what I did and take The Outback Highway (towards Parachilna) out of Hawker then have to traverse the Moralana Scenic Drive track in a little VW. Makes for slow progress on the dirt and rock. Take the Flinders Ranges Way (towards Wilpena).

There are bush campsites and shearers quarters. Some very fancy shearers quarters that sleep 14 people.

Five bedrooms, classically styled kitchen, dining and lounge room with open fireplace and bread oven that's great for cooking pizza in. Outside is an entertaining area with bbq plus a firepit down by the creek. I loved standing virtually on top of the fire defrosting after photographing in the cold all day.

Check out the pics... a bit nice.

http://www.upalinnastation.com.au/

Port Vila, Vanuatu

Oh, these guys know what they are doing! To get off the ship, passengers have to walk through a maze of markets. It's the only way off. Smart. And then the touts are at the end with all sorts of offers from water taxis, car and driver hire, tours...

We hire a car and driver for $100 and go out to Blue Lagoon, the local cascades called Rarru and then back to Port Vila for some coffee and (attempted) internet action.

It's fun playing Tarzan and flying off ropes into the water at Blue Lagoon. It would be a relaxing place to hang out for longer - with gardens surrounding the lagoon.

Then we hide behind tumbling water at Rarru Cascades and jump off the top edge into the dark depths. We are careful where we jump in - there are a lot of rocks close to the surface, and you have to know where the 'holes' are. Locals are here to keep us in the right area.

Port Vila has cheap duty free - so we find out later. All we do in the city is have coffee and attempt to connect to wifi. We end up giving up - and appreciating the fact that we can't connect. Let's get back to holiday mode!