Sixteen years ago today I received my ABN for 'heidi who photos'. I had a dream to be paid for something I love - photography! Now I'm getting paid to not only photograph but also to travel the world and tell stories that inspire.
The love began at Strathalbyn High School - I still remember one of my first shoots with an SLR, photographing the old buildings around town. We had to load the film into canisters, then load into the camera, take photos, develop the film and finally make prints. Whenever I had a camera in hand or was in the darkroom, I was transported. I forgot everything going on and was in my peaceful place. Any issues, sadness or worries disappeared. I loved creating photos so much that, when I moved schools to Victor Harbor, I created a project in Craft (yes, that was actually a Year 12 subject) that required photos, liaised with the schools so I could drive back and use the darkroom to print photos.
Leaving country SA to live in Brazil when I was 18 was a game-changer—being alone in a foreign country where you don't speak the language forces confidence, pushing fears and living in discovery. I came back more confident and ready to get what I want.
Oh dear… food 16 years ago. I’m sure it tasted better than it looks. And the flash. Now I work with a lot of natural light that gives texture and feel. And makes the food look just as yummy as it is.
While working as a supervisor at Woolworths after returning from Brazil - I saw a PixiFoto photographer set up in-store. I decided that's what I wanted to do - so asked about a job. Seems to be the way I always got my jobs, by asking, not waiting. Perhaps a skill that has helped me with my success in business. After PixiFoto and being sent through Northern Territory I got a new job with a school photos company. We worked all over New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. These jobs fuelled my passion for travel even further, so not too long after, I headed overseas on a grand two-year adventure. I got a job on a cruise ship as a photographer, sailing the Greek Islands, Italy and Croatia. More fuel to the fire but I still didn't know if I could be a photographer "for real".
Now I can light better, get straight horizons, add emotion and story…
Arriving back in Adelaide, I gave up a job as a travel agent and decided to give the photography career a go. Why not?
I worked in a photo lab, an Italian wedding studio, a photo store, News Limited and Melbourne Commonwealth Games before going full time in heidi who photos. In the 16 years of heidi who photos I have worked with Huffington Post, In Daily, News Limited, South Australia Tourism Commission, various magazines, hotel chains and boutique hotels, tour operators, Adelaide Showground, Statewide Super, Beerenberg, Leukaemia Foundation, universities and government agencies. Photos have been on websites, social media, buildings, trams, buses and print. These collaborations have taken me all over South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland, as well as Bali, Thailand, Fiji and Cuba.
And now? I'm inspiring more people, telling more stories, and travelling further to get them. I love creating a life I love while helping others live their dreams too. Funny how hard work and persistence pays off. ;) I've never really given myself time to reflect. But I'm going to start. I think it's time. Now to go and work out how to celebrate...
The eyebrows are still telling stories… but now, better light, crop and story.