8/03/2013

 

Dear Blog,

 

My Canon 5D mark ii recently fell ill so in the meantime while it's under repair I'll be using my very first SLR, the 450D. Hope he isn't too grumpy with me for having not used him since the mark ii came on the scene...

 

It feels so strange exchanging my regular 50mm portrait lens for a much wider 18-55mm. Everything seems so gigantic and distorted, but it's nice having enough focal space to play with.

 

I spent some more time with Jarryd and Hannah, keeping her company while she recovered from the removal of her wisdom tooth. Hannah has developed quite an extensive collection of My Little Pony toys over the years, so as a treat Jarryd took her out to purchase a box of blind bag ponies.  I must admit I never realised how perfect my little pony figurines are for stacking.

My favourite one in the set was Barber Goosmby, he’s the only pony I’ve seen so far with both a moustache and a bow tie! However the toy looks nothing like the jovial character on the card. I swear there is pure evil behind those eyes.
I’ve given him the nick name “Sweeny Todd Pony”.

We also went to a folk concert hosted at the co-op. They’re only held once every month but it is one of the most uplifting events I’ve ever attended. It’s a very friendly, chilled atmosphere with local musicians, gypsy music, fire twirling and organic food. I can’t wait for the next one!

Hope you are keeping well.
xox

 

 





 

 

 

 

"Sweeny Todd Pony"

 

 

 

 

James Fahy, one of the preformers for the evening. Incredibly nice guy with oodles of talent. Please check out his music: http://jamesfahy.bandcamp.com/

5/03/2013

Dear Blog,

Introducing to you my new friend Jess who has never modeled before in her life (I just wanted to emphasise that because I thought she did an incredible job) . She's quite shy and gentle but that's what I love most about her, she just radiates beauty without trying.

Wherever we went domestic animals would appear and gravitate towards her, so I've jokingly nicknamed her Australia's disney princess.

Believe me when I say this won't be the last time you'll see Jess appearing in my photos.
xox

1/02/2013

Dear Blog,

Summer is coming to an end and so we welcome the wet, muddy months of Autum. Don't worry it's not always dismal and grey, the best part are the golden leaves.

Watching them tumble, kicking your way through and hearing that satisfying crunch under your shoe. Not to forget the puddles, and plenty of them!

 

Well Jarryd and I visited a friend the other day. Hannah. I'm not sure if I've mentioned her to you before but I've taken plenty of photographs of her very congenial black cat (unfortunately I cease to remember her name so it's "that curious black cat" for now).

We also went location hunting in the rain. I have a few shoots planned for the weekend and more coming in the weeks to follow so keep an eye out.

I hope you are well and if the weather is wet, that you have a warm jumper and hot chocolate on stand by. And if the weather is deliciously sunny where you are I wish you many brisk walks. ..Don't forget the sunscreen. xoxo

 

 

head in the clouds

The sky changed from copper to violet to deep sea blue within minutes.

Nature is magical.

I'm always torn when it comes to choosing between sunrises and sunsets, but the colours during a sunset is always so vibrant and surprising.

 

 

I like you blog, I really do but...

Dear Blog,

It feels like ages since I've actually written to you in the formate of a letter.

 

My internet connection over the past few weeks has been terrible. Often I'll only be able to check facebook messages over my phone but I can't access blogger or my email account.
So even though its way past my bed time I've decided to take advantage of the successful flow of wi-fi (and before I give myself time to change my mind) and talk to you about a small issue that's been bothering me.

I feel like we've lost touch, or rather, I've lost touch with you and haven't been 100% honest when posting material to this blog. This makes me feel a little upset and I want that to change.

I was first introduced to blogger when I began studying photography. It was a convenient way to share work and communicate with teachers and peers a like. Outside of school there were also photographers whom I admired that blogged about their work in a more broad, creative and personal style. And so it all clicked: To be a good photographer I needed to blog.

That seemed simple enough. Except... well my life isn't very interesting. My photography alone is nice but I wouldn't say I dove into any major concepts when constructing the shoots and contacting the people I worked with. Mostly I was just eager to get into the field and begin networking. There really isn't much else to elaborate on.

Another factor I noticed about the bloggers I admired, they all seemed to have a poetic, dreamy way of writing. I loved that. The way their words carried me away into a different world. Their world.

That's how I wanted to write but unfortunately poetic writing doesn't come naturally to me. I'm not as articulate as I would like to be and so I struggled to keep up a written style that was both whimsical yet professional. I spent so much time fearing that I would write the wrong things, that no one would take me seriously as a photographer, that people wouldn't be interested in viewing my work because of my inability to write interesting stories about my life.

And so I've come to the conclusion that I shouldn't keep comparing myself to my idols.

Their world is not my own.

I can't be more then what I am and so I need to develop my own written style and stop trying to follow a formula cooked up in my mind of "how a perfect photographer/blogger should write".

Though we both share a love for photography I'd like to think that when it comes to blogging, like any other social network, there is no right or wrong formate.

I don't want to shy away from you blog, even if the written part of my posts may come across as sloppy. It's still in the early stages and nothing in the begining is ever perfect.

If you've made it towards the end of this page then good on you! Thank you for bearing with my long winded rant (the next post will be more uplifting, promise).

As a reward here is a photo of an adorbale sleeping cat.
xox

First published work, Zoe Brown, Serena Hubert

I have some exciting news! A while ago I did a lookbook style shoot with Canberra fashion designer/stylist Zoe Brown. Fast forward a few months later, I got an email from Zoe asking if she could use one of my images for an article that would be featured in The Canberra Times: In The City magazine.

So here it is my very first published photograph with my name and buisness credited. It's so strange and delightful to see a piece of my own work published (with credit too! Sorry that's just a really big plus).

Here are the rest of the photographs taken from that faithful day. I remember it was the very first time I had worked with an experienced team of talents. I was needing someone with colourful hair and Zoe was more then happy to oblige. She had such a funky, quirky style, with a bubbly disposition to match. It was a long day but Zoe was excellent and open to new ideas.

Serena Hubert, the makeup and hair artist for this shoot was amazing! She stayed for the entire day to help out with test shots and honestly you don't need me to tell you what a stunning job she did with the makeup.

So thank you both. It was such a delight and congratulations Zoe on the feature.

 

Model and Stylist: Zoe Brown @ http://www.zoe-brown.com
Makeup and Hair: Serena Hubert @ http://www.facebook.com/serenahubert.makeupartist
Photography and Editing: Myself

15/02/2013

 

 

I bought some new shoes.