Several years ago I retired from my previous professional career in Emergency Management, Community Development, and Adult Learning and Development, and rekindled a long held interest in photography. My interest started in my childhood when I had a Box Brownie camera, and in my early married life experimenting with a second hand 35mm film camera. Having babies, looking after a family, the cost of
film and developing, and then study and a career intervened, and photography faded into the background. Move forward more than 40 years, with lots of life’s experiences - both wonderful and painful - under my belt, I am back behind the camera. Technology has changed, digital SLR cameras are available, editing that was once done with lights, chemicals and a physical darkroom is now done using digital computer technology, all the bells and whistles are there. But in the end, as one of my tutors said, “the camera does not take the photo - you do”. It doesn’t matter how basic or fancy the equipment is, photography is about capturing the moment, the personality, developing an “eye”, learning to get the best shot possible, finding out how to work with light, stepping outside my comfort zone, building editing skills, being prepared to “bin” plenty of mistakes, taking risks. Digital photography started for me in 2011 with a little Fuji “point and click” camera. I upgraded to some Nikon digital SLR cameras, a bit of equipment, and some studies. I completed a Diploma in Professional Photography in 2014, and my learning curve was just beginning. And I’m still there, on that curve - learning and experimenting, having a go, building a portfolio, and finding out who I am as a photographer. I enjoy nature photography, landscapes, interesting places, and macro photography - little bugs and critters. But most of all I love capturing people - my main interest is in portrait photography...and I love a bit of theatricality! I have a collection of clothes and props, and accessories and backdrops, and last year I was able to grab some space and create a small home studio, to further develop my portrait photography. I love to capture that little bit of personality that is hidden under the seriousness of life, to celebrate important moments, to make you feel and look your best - and of course, kids are gorgeous. And I’d really like to have a shot at some candid street photography. So, thank you so much to all of you who are contributing to my journey - by allowing me into your personal space, by modelling for me, by your patience, feedback, critique, interest, by popping me a “like” now and then, and by giving me the confidence to be a photographer - I really appreciate you.
