TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources photo shoot
I normally pride myself on my navigational skills. However, getting to the nursery at Murray Bridge (South Australia) for this job, was not one of those days. I relied on my mobile GPS, against my better knowledge. The GPS sent me on a 40 minute round trip to Callington (a small town nearby) and back. Where I was when I checked my GPS before my country drive was a mere two minutes away from where I had to go. Lesson learned: trust my instincts. Always.
Rainy Days and Tourism photography
Sometimes things seem impossible. Today we want to simulate a warm, summer holiday at the beach. And this is the type of weather we have. 
What do I do? Well, option one would be to cancel the shoot and wait for a better day. But when you have organised talent to be there, and the rooms are free, we need to forge ahead. That means we go to option two.
Option Two - Make use of the sun when it does break out (if it does). And work damn quick. I may only have five minutes. One shot in five minutes can be achieved. Yes, it won't look quite the same as if we actually had beautiful weather, but Photoshop can save the day sometimes.
I also concentrate on indoor shots, which keeps the talent happy. It's not exactly nice to be standing outside on a 14 degree day with 20km winds, beachfront, in a flimsy summer dress. I freeze, and I get to rug up, so can only imagine the pain they tolerate. Let's not even mention the hair that would be getting thrown around.
Inside shots can be lit, some rooms would suffer tremendously when there isn't much light bouncing around outside. Speedlights hidden in corners and bounced softly. Or we take multiple images, lit for certain areas, composited later when editing. We can then composite a bright, sunny outside image into the window, for interiors with views. Or, if there's no view, pull the sheer and the viewer wouldn't know any different.
On a plus side, light difference from interior to exterior isn't going to be as drastic. So harsh light falling on the floor will be reduced. Glass half full thinking!
Melbourne - the city of laneways and a shot of coffee.
Laneways. The back end of town.
Not normally the most elegant or tourist worthy part of town. But there are exceptions. Take Melbourne for example. Cafe lanes, bar lanes and artworked lanes litter the city. Litter that is shutterworthy for the International tourist. A photographer looks at it different though. Although we love to sit and have coffee we also see character, life and intrigue in the empty or littered lanes that everyone scurries past.
While most people are looking that way, we look this way. Look up and look down.
TIP * When going for a walk with your camera, don't forget to take a look behind you. Things can look different from another angle. Light, shape, form. Even people continuing with their lives, thinking you have passed. Click. Moment captured.
Seawall Apartments Glenelg photoshoot snap...
And they say they are working... we all had a great time!
On a plus side to travelling with kids...
I have been compiling a top 100 list about travelling with children for an eBook recently. Let me share one with you...
Tip: bless 'em.
Going on holiday doesn't stop the tantrums, the dirty nappies, the naps, the getting up in the middle of the night, the need to go to playgrounds. It does stop late night jaunts, long lazy meals, relaxing with a book, and lazing in the bed every morning before ambling to a mid morning breakfast.
It closes a number of doors, but where one door closes, another opens. Literally.
IN MOST CULTURES, CHILDREN ARE THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION.
You are invited in to families homes, people stop and chat, the children encourage conversation, you are looked after, and above all... you learn and experience more. You get out to the where the locals hang, venture to new frontiers (heck, go out the back gate!), meet many people in one day, and see a different way of life to your own back home. Whether you are travelling in your own state, or across the other side of the world.
In Phuket we were welcomed into a villagers home for the night. A woman on moped asked only families to come in. We were fed, offered a place on their lounge floor, and taken care of while a tsunami warning played out down below. Going up, locals even carried (yes, carried) our strollers up the hill in sections for us. Helping to get us away from the impending tsunami even faster. Thankfully, it never came, but we were safe indeed with locals.
In Bali we played on the beach and grass with local kids. None - adults or children - could verbally communicate with each other but so much fun was had.
Here in South Australia, we are constantly chatting to locals, finding the best coffee, playgrounds and places to go.
Have kids, will travel. Use it to your advantage to get more adventure and fun into your holiday. Get curious, and have it sated.
belief - thoughts - words - action - reality
I've proven this to myself many times... reality is that what you think, you get. Think positive!
Fleurieu Living Magazine
The cover of Fleurieu Living Magazine - about to celebrate their first birthday! Celebrating Fleurieu life and unique features, it's now in Qantas lounges throughout Australia (along with newsagents and other venues). I am so proud to be contributing in this fabulous publication. GO check it out!
Dull and boring... not Canberra's Diamant Hotel.
OMG! There is black and white swirled wallpaper - not on my walls - but on the ceiling. I have a green apple on my bed with the hotels business card. There is a stump of wood as the side table.
I like this place.
And I haven't even ventured into the cosy bar yet, filled with books, cushions, retro chairs and glimpses of the garden taps acting as light fittings in the nearby dining room.
I tried hard to stay here, and must have got the last room. Most sites were 'sold out'. I came cross fingered that my booking wasn't a mistake. It wasn't.
Rewarded, I am. It is just across the road from where I am working at ANU. Every room is unique. It has a good 'warehouse store' coffee shop, and the funky fitted out restaurant and bar. I don't want to work, I want to stay here.
This hotel beats the drab, run of the mill hotels that you can find anywhere. Grab some character, and head for the Diamant Hotel!
http://www.8hotels.com/canberra-hotel/diamant-hotel/
Getting paid to experience...
When you want to get paid for experiencing - eating, staying, playing... it's sometimes a good idea to get the 'before' pic. Oops. Thanks to The Tin Shed Cafe in McLaren Vale SA for this yummy lunch! Also a fab place for breakky. Tin Shed Cafe
Atmosphere @ Eat at Whalers
On the waterfront at Encounter Bay, backed by the bluff, this is a perfect spot to end the day. Indoors or outdoors, the views are only interrupted by the palm trees swaying out front in the carpark.
I've been twice recently, both thanks to Fleruieu Living Magazine. As a guest at a launch, and then to photograph two chefs and their delicious creations. Both days were packed. Day or night, the atmosphere is beachside calm and trendy. Nice.
www.whalersinnresort.com.au
www.fleurieuliving.com.au
