Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
Reflecting on 2023 and Welcoming 2024 with Open Arms
As I sit down to pen down my thoughts on the last year, I can't help but marvel at the whirlwind of moments that made up 2023. Adventure and boundary-pushing would definitely be the words that sum up my 2023.
A Year of Unforgettable Moments:
Travel Tales: It was a year of travel and discovering new places.
New Orleans was my first time on the US mainland, and what an introduction! This crazy city is very me. And going to Jazz Fest with my cousin is a highlight of my year. And to, unexpectedly, be able to share my first few days there with a friend made it even better.
I then headed to New York for a week—yes, a week! I helped make a YouTube video, had a Skal lunch, attended a travel trade show, and made fabulous connections.
The kids weren’t forgotten. We went to the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Yorke Peninsula and a few trips in Frankie (www.frankiewho.com.au). I love giving them the experience of travel—even if they do leave me wondering with frustration, why sometimes.
I also took many trips to Melbourne and Sydney, mainly for work. However, on one trip, I had a very special few days on a friend’s boat, sailing around Sydney Harbour. If you get the chance to do this, do it. Sydney is incredibly amazing from the water.
Each place left its imprint on my soul, and I can't wait to add more pins to my map in 2024.
Career Growth: The most significant and most exciting part. I hired Jeash; he is helping me with my retouching, video editing, social media, and stock keywording. He’s freeing my time so I can concentrate on the things I love - photographing and meeting with you!
I’ve continued to work with Tourism Australia, various accommodations, councils, government departments, and food businesses. Two successful tours through the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island were completed. I’ve loved working every quarter with Foodland, photographing their recipes for the Mighty magazine.
I’ve connected with people in Australia to New York. Watch this space.
2023 was full of networking opportunities and exploring different avenues. 2024 will continue but with more focus. I want to continue to inspire people to travel - with clients all around the world.
More Faces of La Bomba is another mammoth project that raised much-needed funds for my Hands Across the Water bike ride in April 2024. This project saw me photographing dancers in a place they feel ‘at home’, a place they love. I had a beautiful launch party and exhibited at Cue Bar in Norwood, followed by a hanging at La Bomba Studio in Findon.
Personal Growth: I finally started seeing myself as others see me (current-day Heidi) rather than as little Heidi. This process started when I attended Tony Robbins's event, Unleash the Power Within, where I walked on glowing, hot coal, and continued at our final Business Blueprint conference, where I broke wood with my hand.
Plans for 2024:
More Adventures Await: Thailand, the Philippines, and a surf trip in Sri Lanka are all on the cards. Add in a Frankie road trip or two and a sailing holiday. Life is for living.
Professional Prowess: Career-wise, I've set my sights on expanding into new markets outside of SA and Australia. It's time to inspire more people through discovery, travel, and living their best lives. I’ll be growing my stock photo site and offering social photos to help businesses showcase their unique destinations also.
More tours will be scheduled through all SA regions in 2024, working with the RTO and operators.
Wellness Wonderland: Health and wellness are big in 2024. More meditation, journaling, and slow days. Maybe even a health retreat, and definitely more time for surfing and dancing—my moving meditations.
Bucket List items to tick: I’m going to learn some Spanish! I speak Brazilian Portuguese (or, at least, I used to), so Spanish is a great following language. Maybe I’ll finally be able to understand more of the lyrics to what I’m dancing to. Also on the agenda are skydiving, playing golf, and relaxing on a sailing holiday.
As the clock ticks over to 2024, I'm grateful for the lessons learned, the cherished moments, and the people who made it all worthwhile. Here's to bidding adieu to the old and welcoming the new with open arms. 2024, I'm ready for you; let's make it a year to remember!
Maridaallah Retreat
CLIENT: Maridaallah Retreat
SHOOT: 4 hours with street talent for half of shoot
This shoot was for a new accommodation on the Fleurieu Peninsula. An exquisite 4-bedroom home perched on a hilltop with views over the southern coast. This is a place where you can wake up and watch the kangaroos grazing from your bed!
Australian Almonds
Some moody photos and video…
Client: Australian Almonds
Stylist: Pen and Palate
Taking my food photos to darker tones with lots of texture. This shoot was fun, incorporating photography and video (check a snippet out below).
Wild South Coast Way, Fleurieu Peninsula
A photo shoot on Wild South Coast Way, Deep Creek National Park, South Australia.
Client: Department of Environment and Water SA
Brief: A variety of shots to showcase the Wild South Coast Way. Inclusive access, also.
One-day photo shoot at various locations on the trail through Deep Creek National Park. Street casting through heidi who photos street casting Facebook group
Usage on website and marketing material
Australian Pork
Do not look if you are hungry!
Slide, baby, slide…
I love travelling and telling stories of the places I visit. But there’s something else I like doing - making you salivate!
Client: Australian Pork
Styling and recipe development: Pen and Palate
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
Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii
A day at Kualoa Ranch. Beach hideaways, movie sets, famous sites…
With many tours to choose from, we spent the morning at the beach on Secret Island (a very tough gig).
Our Secret Island Beach Adventure is like the ultimate chill spot for a day—I seriously could have spent longer here. Think sandy shores, cool water sports, and beach games galore.
From kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding and dominating table tennis to kicking back with a book in a hammock, swaying under those chill palm trees. Trust me. We were all happy.
We then headed back to the ranch for the afternoon.
The 2.5-hour JURASSIC ADVENTURE TOUR is worth considering if you're into movie history and adventure. The North Shore's good looks are also part of the package, with all the lush green mountains and views out to the ocean. Exactly like we see in the movies.
The tour takes you to iconic film spots in Kualoa, Hakipu’u, and Ka’a’awa Valleys, where they shot scenes from Jurassic Park and the newer Jurassic World films. It's pretty cool to see these locations up close, especially if you're a fan of the movies. But these aren’t the only movies filmed here - there have been so many!
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/
New Orleans
New Orleans through my lens.
‘Want to go to Jazz Fest with me?’
Of course, my answer was ‘sure!’ even though I didn’t know anything about jazz, or New Orleans, or the festival itself. I’m always up for an adventure - especially with my cousin. And this sure was one of those.
“The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is an annual celebration of local music and culture held at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana.”
And to my surprise, it’s not just jazz. 2023 was a celebration of Puerto Rico - and I was in my element.
“New Orleans is a Louisiana city on the Mississippi River, near the Gulf of Mexico. Nicknamed the "Big Easy," it's known for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures.”
It was my first introduction to mainland USA and I loved it. Perhaps not the food or smells so much, but everything else.
Here is my version of a week in New Orleans.
