A little about my-self and what I do…. I always get asked how I started out in Photography… so here we go. I grew up being encouraged to embrace all my creative and artistic tendencies. My Mum is an amazing artist, so are both my younger sisters, my Aunty is also really creative and so you might say in a ways it’s in the blood. I grew up in Bluff, so the bush and sea were my play-ground. Living by the sea you end up with a very close-connection to it. I love the sound of the waves, or simply watching the water crash apon the shore. I find calmness in its chaos. I can’t be away from it for too-long. Back in my teen years I was an avid rower and loved going out in my single-skull skiff and floating on the glassy – water and feeling like I was a world away from everyone. That’s what the sea and natural element’s does for me. Gives you time to think, relax, and just breathe, which I love and need. At school my favorite subjects where all the Art related ones painting, graphics, art-history. I was the most happy when potting around in the art-room. I’ve always had an artistic-eye. With-out bragging because I’m not trying to, I’m just trying to build a picture for you, I can paint, draw, sculpt, I’ve dabbled with all types of art forms and mediums – etching – wood cuts – carving. Photography was never available as topic when I was at high-school as well I should add. I already had a great understanding of things like composition, light, colours, and symmetry. 7th Form. Or Year 13 as its now called. The year had come to an end and like a lot of teens I did not know what I wanted to do. I ending up enrolling at SIT and graduating with a Diploma in Computer Graphic Design, I really hated the computer side of most of it BUT it introduced me to Black and White Photography (FILM) real film. This is where it all really started to happen!!! I had a great photography tutor at SIT whom I came into contact with again last year at the Southland Photographic Society, his name is Eric Miller. He is a fantastic man. He told me he remembered marking some of my work and telling me I had scored quite well, but I think he was being kind, I was frustrated back then - initially learning because I had the vision but not the technical skill to create that vision. My images were almost there but not quite*. This is all going back about 8-10 years ago now……….Faaarrr getting old lol. So my photography has been in development for a long, long time. I am now 27 – nearing 28! I didn’t decide over-night that I would be a photographer. This has been a journey over the last 10 years of my life. It something that I feel deeply about, it allows me to combine all my artistic-inclinations into one medium. I have spent the last 10 years developing my skill sets, learning, studying, always trying grow. Everyone learns differently. I have spent the last 8 years ‘self-teaching’ I read everything I can get my hands on then I go out and do it. I can now visualize an image in my head and bring it to life because I now after years of practice, studying and learning have the technical ability to do so. I have confidence in my abilities. Only in the last 3 years have I started putting my work out there. I think it’s really important to learn your craft really well before putting yourself or your portfolio out in the field professionally. I get asked a lot for advice, but I feel like most of it is ignored. Don’t be in a rush to put your photos out there or list yourself as professional photographer before you are ready, it’s like any occupation – learn your craft first, put in the time and hard-work. Learn to shoot in Manual; learn to be in control of your camera. Well admittedly I still don’t feel like I’ve made it yet* not in the way I want to. I still work in a Super-market – the same Super-market I’ve been at for years…. You might know me as your local checkout New world chick but that’s ok. I am happy with the path I’m on and I believe if you work hard it will pay off. It’s hard to put my feeling into words to describe my passion for photography. My closest friends and family they get it* It’s me. It’s what I do. It’s what I LOVE to do. I want to keep evolving; I want to be the best photographer I can be. Every time I go out and shoot I want to create better, stronger images than the last series. I want anyone that books me to LOVE, ADORE, CHERISH their images. Hopefully that has given you some insight. Until my next post thanks for all the support XX
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 08:27:16 +0000