What’s in store for 2017?

Welcome to 2017!

I took this photo while on a walk to The Balconies in the Grampians over our New Years travel. I love the symbolisation of endless possibility. Looking forward. Being open to new opportunities. Moving forward together. And hey, step into the unknown - leap with faith and you will find your feet. Rocky roads lead to green pastures (or in this case, trees).

I hope you had a great, and relaxing, festive break. 

I had a blissful time with family and friends, camping, surfing and doing not much. Perfect. I love summer; I wish I lived somewhere that had longer summers - or maybe not so cold winters. Don’t get me wrong; I love Adelaide, but the cold weather gets to me.

What is in store for you in 2017?

I’m so excited to be here. I have lots planned for this year. 

In March, I’m off to Tasmania for four weeks. I’ll be photographing for stock, shooting a few assignments, hanging out with my little ones while my hubby hikes Cradle Mountain with my dad (he’s wanted to do it since I did it a few years back), and of course, discovering and exploring as much as I can. If you want to catch up while I’m there, or want to get photos done, let me know. And of course, if you know anyone that needs pics, I’m offering the amazingly insane $400 Editorial Package. Check out some previous blog posts here for sample pics. Who wouldn't want that?!

The Philippines towards the end of April is a possibility for a business conference - although I may need to add on a few more days for some exploring!

Better Pics for Business will have another two live intakes. It’s a great way of learning, as you get the advice and support of others doing the course also. I’m keeping it open for enrolments all year, but only doing two live intakes, the first being in March. I’m enjoying helping people get their photographs looking better. The feedback from participants has been great - and I already have some extra content being added. 

In 2016 I also ran a few photography workshops. I’m going to be doing more in 2017 - on food and general photography. I’ll keep you updated as I finalise details. Of course, if you have an idea for in your area, let me know.

On a personal note too...

Ashton will be starting school. It’s a very exciting time, with both kids at school now. He is so ready and loves the teacher he has been placed with. Belle will be in year two. She's not happy she has been separated from her bestie - but I know they will both be fine. 

We are going to the snow! A group of friends (and families) want to go together - I think it will be a great intro for the kids, who have never seen snow. I’ve only been twice in my life - once to Mt Hotham as a child and once to Andorra as a backpacker (yep, worlds apart), so I’m just a teensy bit excited too.

My bestie also mentioned a cruise holiday. More to come here. It’s only an idea at this stage, but an awesome idea I’d love to do. If not this year, but next. 

I’m going to practice surfing, salsa dancing and yoga more. My fave hobbies. Hopefully, I'll get much better! I had to laugh at myself when I saw photos from a recent Bali surf trip. I had a poo stance while holding my nose (wiping water away I'd presume). I was going to buy one, but...

New Years Resolutions and all that stuff...

So, it’s that time of year. The time of year where all the staff Xmas parties are happening, people are going on summer holidays, crazy family do’s are happening, and everyone is resetting themselves for the new year. The new year is always going to be bigger and better.
‘And this year, my new year's resolution is to...’

And how many times does it work out? Hmm. I’ve given up on new years resolutions, and instead, try and commit to an action plan that leads to goals. Goals that may not even be for realising in the coming year. Like being paid to travel - not just one or two work trips a year but holiday with the family type travel. That is a long term goal that requires lots of rungs in the ladder to reach. It’s a long ladder, but it’s one I’m prepared to climb.

Anyway, with these goals and resolutions comes all the recommendations on how to set yourself up, ready and refreshed to achieve. 

Take time out.
Reflect.
Be grateful.
Spend time alone to be with your thoughts.
Work out what you want, not what others want from you.
Set goals. 
Stop working and spend quality time with family and loved ones. 

Oooh, that last one is a hard one for me. Sure, I stop working on Xmas day and while we are on actual holidays. But to stop working, and just relax around the home. I don’t know how. I know how to waste time procrastinating. But I want to know how to take time out properly. I mean, that is why I am here working in Victor Harbor Library while my kids are playing with their cousin at my mum's five days before Xmas. 

I love my work, but I can’t let it saturate my life. I need a switch that I can turn, either down or off. Or to up the ante when I’m in procrastination mode. I’m sure that many people can agree with me - especially if you are working for yourself. That is why we are working for ourselves - we are passionate. But we have to learn to work smart - well I do. Smart, efficient and effective.

So, having said all that here is my ‘to do’ list for the end of year reflections... 

Take time to reflect on my wins and write them down.
 

Work out what I want for the coming year then schedule them out. I have created a monthly calendar on a photo frame for 2017, on which I will write my timeline. This will live on my desk so I can see it consistently.

Relax and take days off to just be. Have fun with family, be with my thoughts, do stuff for myself. 

What are you going to be doing to get ready for 2017?

The difference in retouching...

So, what does a basic retouch mean?

What about an editorial retouch?

And what do I mean when I say 'extensive' retouch?

I've had many Clients ask this, and I the answer is always hard. So, I have decided to show it visually. That's the best way with photography anyway. So I think.

Above is a food photo, let me explain the differences you can see.

No retouch

This image is straight out of the camera.

I shoot in RAW. This allows for maximum information caught, and kept, in the capture. You will find most professionals photograph in this setting. 

Why throw away information without even considering it? The more information I have, the better the image can be.

It does also mean that there is always going to be a need for some amount of retouch. This can range from a click of 'auto' in software which has varied, and sometimes unexpected, results or manipulated by the photographer individually. I typically start with an Auto Correct then adjust each file individually from there. 

RAW = better quality

After all, that is why you are paying a photographer. To get the best images possible.

Editorial Retouch

This image has had a basic Auto Correct, then individually retouched via Lightroom. 
I will lighten shadows, adjust contrast/colour/tone/crop, remove any large blemishes/distractions and adjust local areas within the image. I also sharpen/noise reduce and perhaps add some saturation/clarity/vibrancy. 

Generally, an editorial image is not taken into Photoshop for more intensive retouching.

Extensive Retouch

This image is looked at in detail. It gets the Editorial Retouch then it's taken into Photoshop for individual and precise alterations. 

I have fixed perspective, removed some of the reflections from the glasses, removed blemishes on the surface, lightened darker areas of the food and cropped slightly. 

So, what retouch do you choose?

What retouch you choose depends on the final use of your image. We can chat about it when you book your next shoot. Or, if you have any questions, leave them here for me to answer. 

Client showcase: Whyalla Caravan Park

Whyalla Caravan Park - who's been? It's a quiet place, on the outskirts of town. I'd never heard of it until they called asking for one of my Editorial Packages. 

As the sun was going down one day, I discovered the park. There are areas for workers, families, grey nomads and solo travellers in all sorts of accommodation. From grassy sites to villas to workers single rooms down the back. 

There is a relaxed, and ultra green grassed, area right next to the bbq, perfect for lounging the afternoon away. A fire pit keeps you warm as the sun goes down. 

Anyway, I worked myself silly for one hour, and here are the results... this is an Editorial Package which is a basic photo shoot and edit. Nothing weird and wonderful being enhanced here. :)

These are not advertising images where I work over them in retouch - removing all distractions, fixing light, and in fact, ensuring light is 'just right' for the shoot in the first place. We do what we can do with our one hour.

I'm pretty happy with the results - and most importantly, so is my client. 

I'm heading Tasmania way in March for nearly a month - if you are down there and keen, get in touch! Or, please pass the word on. I can't wait to discover more of Tassie...

Destination photos 'on spec'

On a recent photo tour, I did photos for Goyder Council 'on spec'. We developed a shot list, the client organised talent, then we photographed. Nothing fancy - all natural light and realistic. It's the way photos should be when trying to sell a destination. 

I really enjoyed the shoot, which was over two days - six hours on the first day and one hour on the second. I got to wander around, exploring different areas, popping my head into shops, taking photos of all the great things I saw. I loved the fact that people knew what I was doing so I didn't have to explain all the time or feel weird that people would be looking at me going 'what is she doing?'

This kind of shoot benefits everyone involved - I get some awesome stock photography, my client gets beautiful photos with minimal effort and the people we photograph get the opportunity to have some professional photos too. 

If you are interested in having your business/area photographed, email me. I am always going places and will let you know when I'm next in your area - or we can organise a tour around your dates!

Taking a look inside my One Hour Editorial Photo Package...

Over the last month, I have been doing some Regional Photo Tours.

I photographed towns, landscapes, sheep station, caravan parks, hotels, food and driven many kilometres (stopping every time I saw great light and a nice scene). I've had a lot of fun and got some really beautiful photos for my Clients. 

Here is a sneak peek of what sort of photos you get from the one-hour editorial photo shoot. These are taken for Port Lincoln Hotel on my recent Eyre Peninsula tour. 

Think this would work for you? Email me for some more details. 

My first ever Instameet - at Seawall Apartments Glenelg

A couple of weeks ago I received a direct message in Instagram. 

'We're kicking off our big 40 celebrations with an Instameet for 40 Instagrammers.' 

I love Seawall Apartments, and love photographing their rooms. So inspiring - for home decor, for holidays, for relaxation, for fun, for photography. 

Hell yeah! I'm going. 

Then comes my question - what exactly is an Instameet? 

For Seawall; it's food, drinks, networking and photos. They opened up a room for us to photograph, gave tours through the property, and properly sustained us for three hours of fun. 

We chatted, we took photos, we drank, we laughed. Then we Instagrammed. We all had a camera - whether a DSLR or phone. No matter the device, some really beautiful images were taken.

I highly recommend Seawall Apartments, check them out at www.seawallapartments.com.au. Yes, I photograph for them, but hey, they are awesome. 

Go enjoy.

Limestone Coast and Barossa/Clare photos postponed :(

REGIONAL PHOTO TOUR UPDATE:

Limestone Coast and Barossa/Clare Valley photo shoots are postponed til the new year. I am very sorry if this causes any inconvenience for you. I have been in contact with those already booked and we are working on other dates early in 2017. 

The bonus is - we will have more time!

If you would like to be involved, please send me an email, and I will be as flexible as possible with dates. 

Regional photo tour update

Just a quick update on my regional photo tours.... 

Last week I headed north to Flinders Ranges and Burra. I have about 700 photos to go through so will share some with you soon. In the meantime, here are a couple I took on my iPhone. Just to prove it's not the tool - it's the way you use it. :)  

How amazing is this landscape? I'm a coastal girl but this has something special about it. 

Almerta Station at sunset

This weekend and next week I am over on Yorke and Eyre Peninsula. Would love to fill a couple of spots on Monday/Tuesday at Port Lincoln... if you or anyone you know is in need of some photo updates... 

$400 gets one hour of photography and up to twenty images. Plus, I'm going to be putting together a regional social media stock photo pack - and you get this for free. Valued at $100. 

Email me ASAP to discuss.

Our crazy travel ritual at Port Elliot, South Australia

We are creating a travel ritual. Never thought I would - but here we are. We are going to Port Elliot Caravan Park every October long weekend. Well, we have done for the past three years. 

Port Elliot! My family live in Victor Harbor. I used to live in Port Elliot. I can stay for free with my family. So why are we creating a habit of paying $70 a night for a patch of lawn in a caravan park? Sharing a toilet and shower with loads of strangers?

The kids clambering of the rocks at Middleton Point. 

Well...

1. We are camping out with my best friend and her family. The kids play together all day long on the playground and jumping pillow while we can relax just two sites away. Stand up from our deck chair, and we can check on them. Happy Mummies, happy families.

The playground which entertains the kids for most of the day at BIG 4 Port Elliot.

2. It feels like we could be holidaying anywhere. I relax like we are on holidays. Heck, we are on holidays. Some days complete with wine in hand by mid-afternoon. And the 'in transit' time to get here is under an hour from home. We don't hear 'are we there yet?' at all in the one hour. 

We borrowed a caravan this year - so much more relaxing. 

3. The beach is a two-minute walk away from our bed. In fact, there are two beaches within a few minutes walking distance. And about five minutes drive away is the surf at Middleton Point. I'm in heaven - or at least I would be if it was 20 degrees warmer this year.

Some crazy nuts got in this water with short wetsuits! Brr. I need my winter wetsuit, booties and gloves before I step in. 

4. The vibe and community feel of chatting to campsite neighbours, sharing stories with other parents at the playground, and manually washing dishes in the open air is somewhat relaxing. It gets my 'tribe' feeling happening.

Road rules? Be careful. Most drivers are always on the look out for objects of any kind on the road when in the caravan park.

5. I spend a lot of time outdoors. Typically, when I'm not on shoots, I'm inside editing at the computer. We cook, entertain, play and chat outside when holidaying in a caravan park. Sure, it's not quite 'in nature', but it does make me feel better.
 

Part of the Encounter Bikeway that runs Victor Harbor to Goolwa. 

6. We venture down different paths. Whether it's a walking track, road or new cafe. We ride our bikes down the back streets of Port Elliot to Retro Vibe Cafe on The Strand one morning - goggling at some of the new holiday homes lining the streets. While I'm sipping my double shot soy latte at the cafe, the kids play with the toys in one corner of the room. 

Retro Vibe, Port Elliot

So, will we continue our tradition? The question this year 'should we go somewhere else?' is quickly answered by a 'heck no, it's just starting to get easy. The kids know the place. We have awesome sites. There's surf. There's good coffee close. No.'

What weird or wonderful travel traditions do you have?

Let me know in the comments below.