Saying goodbye to 2017... and hello to 2018.

December is a month of parties, holidays, family, friends and lot of eating and drinking. 

I also like to take time to reflect on my year, see where I have come from and what I have achieved, along with looking forward. Planning on what I'm going to do next year, what I'm going to accomplish and experience. 

It's been a massive year for me personally and professionally. When I look back at my calendar and see everything I have done - it really does show I like to 'do', and 'rest' is something I put on the 'do later' list. 

My fave memories of 2017...

One month in Tasmania
I've always dreamt of travelling around Australia in a van. This trip was a taster. And let me tell you, it's a great way of life. One month in Tasmania is not long enough, but I got to see a lot - for fun and work. I had about six commissioned shoots while there, which was a perfect amount when travelling and acting 'tourist'. 

Helicopter flight
A bucket list item of mine was to go for a ride in a helicopter. So when I was asked if I'd like to photograph an article about a winery tour via helicopter, of course, I said yes. I felt very much the VIP arriving at each cellar door by private helicopter while tourists clicked away at us with their cameras. The views over the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu area were impressive too - I especially loved cruising along the coast spotting dolphins. 

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail hike
The negatives? I did it in winter, froze and got wet. The positives? Wow, an amazing walk. One of the best I have done. The landscape changes enough to keep me entertained, and there is lots of clifftop walking with amazing views of the ocean to keep me in a trance of zen. 

'Dream' work
It's always been a dream of mine to be a Tourism Photographer. I can now own that title comfortably. I've worked with many tourism operators this past year and loved how I can help their business grow. One of my dream weeks consisted of being flown out to two locations for shoots on different days. Being paid to travel. I love to go behind the scenes, and these two jobs were very much that. 

Presenting a photography workshop for tourism operators
SATIC asked me to give a workshop with MadPants Media on photography and videography for tourism operators. I had a ball explaining, and showing, our attendees how to get better pics with any camera. I love to help, and the satisfaction of seeing something 'click' for people is immense. 

Catching unbroken waves
I've been surfing for a few years, but this year I tried to get out nearly every week. It's made me a (slightly) better surfer, and now I can get out the back and catch the unbroken waves. I've been dumped, but that is becoming less frequent as I learn what and when to catch waves. 

Learning bachata and continuing my salsa
Another activity to feed my soul. And something that I've wanted to do for many years, since experiencing dance in Brazil in 1998. And of course, I was always the Dirty Dancing tragic. I describe dance as my moving meditation. But I'm yet to let myself be totally free when dancing - I'll make that a goal for 2018. 

Regional Tours
A way of helping regional tourism, discovering new places and creating. I've travelled to the Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Flinders Ranges and Clare Valley for these tours. Local businesses can take advantage of no travel fees, a range of packages to suit budgets and free social media pics. I've loved exploring our beautiful country and helping businesses along the way. 

La Bomba latin dance project
Last year I did a solo exhibition called Salty Girls - telling the story of women in the SurferGirls group. This year I wanted to continue with another big interest in my life, and tell its story. I decided to focus on dance. The idea of telling the story of La Bomba through her students came to me - and I didn't turn back. It's the biggest personal project I've ever done. The first shoot was on 1st September. So far I've worked more than 60 hours and photographed 28 people. This is my last week and I have four more people planned to photograph. Then the retouching and exhibition prep begins.

So, always believing that I need to 'one up', here it is...

I hope in 2018...
to make mistakes. This means I'm learning, trying new things, making new things, pushing myself and changing my world. It's growth; it's life. 
My family and friends are healthy, succeeding and living their purpose too.

I know in 2018...
I am going to succeed. In everything I do. Movement and progress is the success. 
I'm going to live life my way. At the end of the day if I'm not making myself happy, then I'm not doing it. 
Cuba is waiting for me! Another bucket list item. And I am grateful to be doing it with my dance school. 
I will continue to show the world off to the world - inspiring people to get out, explore and learn. Learn about life, respect, culture and people.
 

Helicopter rides... and bucket list ticks.

What's on your bucket list?

I was showing a friend my list the other day and stopped in my tracks when I saw what #1 was. 

First on my list was "Helicopter ride". I stopped in my tracks because just a few weeks ago I did exactly that for work. I went on a winery tour via helicopter around McLaren Vale. 

I met Paul from Helivista at Fox Creek Wines, had a chat about photos then prepped for the tour. Paul took the windows off so I could get better photos while I wondered how I would go sitting in a flying bubble with nothing between me and the ground a 'major ouch' distance below. Before long I was strapped in, waiting for the chopper to 'warm up' so we could buzz up into the air. Guess I'd find out soon enough.

Headphones and buttons made it easy to communicate while flying, as opposed to shouting at each other and coming back with no voice. But I could never get the hang of pressing the button before talking. It seems I talked quite a bit to myself while Paul kept gesturing for me to press the button. You'd think I would remember after a few times - but no. Oh well, most of the time it was just 'ooh' and 'ahh'. 

The tours are customised, so we went to Sellicks Hill Wines and Serafino with a fly over the coastline. The water was clear, and we saw pods of dolphins splashing about. Turning around to get a closer look, the helicopter angled on its side so we could look straight down to the ocean. As we passe Maslin Beach and saw people wandering up and down, Paul joked that I should put the camera away. 'Ahh, come on, live on the wild side!' 

Seeing the land from above gave me a new appreciation. I have always loved driving through the area, but seeing it from a new angle is mesmerising. The lines of vineyards meshing with roads and rows of trees with houses dotted like odd grapes. 

Did I get anxious or fear to have the doors off? Not once. I only wish I'd done my jacket up from the start. It gets breezy and cool when you are up high and have the air cutting past you - even on a warm, sunny day. 

Should you do it? Absolutely. Ok, it's double the price (or something like that) to just a helicopter scenic ride, but I think you get a lot more value out of it. And you can make a day of it. www.helivista.com.au

In my pic above you will see a few other bucket list items. I am about to tick off Cuba next year too. Exciting!

Check out the little video I did along with some of my pics...

Fleurieu Living Magazine: Summer issue

The launch of the summer issue of Fleurieu Living Magazine was last night. And it's looking pretty cool. I did a lot of photography this issue, and loved it. Here are some photos I took on the shoots - some made the cut in the mag, some didn't. 

To get the lowdown on the stories - go buy yourself an issue. Or, be cheeky, and grab yourself one from a Qantas Club lounge. :)

CLIENT SHOWCASE: Leonards Mill

I got an email from Hayley a few months back. She said, 'you probably don't remember me, but you photographed our wedding in 2008...' 

Of course, I did remember. It was a beautiful day. And they had just bought Leonards Mill, a restaurant just up the road from where they were married at her parents home. 

After nearly ten years, I saw them again. It didn't feel that long. They are a really easy couple to get along with. I had so much fun photographing Leonards Mill and their staff for them one morning... 

www.leonardsmill.com

I Choose SA (for seafood)

Last week I was asked to go out with Brand South Australia members and select media to Port Lincoln, for a day showcasing our world-class seafood industry.
 
We flew out by charter plane and spent the day on the town jetty, cruising out to the kingfish pens and taking photos in the warehouse of a man with his fish. 

The day was topped off with lunch at the Port Lincoln Hotel. 

Can I tell you much about the seafood industry? Only through pics (of course). It's a big industry and I don't want to get my facts wrong.

To find out more... https://www.ichoosesa.com.au/industry/seafood

Suburban Taxis - finding my work.

I hardly ever look for my photos being used and only see them by chance when I drive past somewhere or open up a magazine. I really should check out how my photos are being used more often. Not only to see my clients vision but for feedback and improvement on my imagery and offering. 

Earlier this year I worked with Suburban Taxis on updating their website and branding. While looking through my photo catalogue of images, I found Suburbans folder. It got me thinking if they had updated their website or not. So I checked. 

Here is what I found... all my images being used. It looks good - even if I would re-retouch some of the images now. I guess that is a good sign of growth though - looking at older photos and seeing what you would change. How much could I grow if I still loved every photo I have taken? I wouldn't strive. I wouldn't get better. I would lose my business. I'd lose my life I love. 

I suppose this works for everyone. Continue to strive, continue to improve. Every single day. What doesn't grow, dies. 

A surprise at Two Emuz, Kangaroo Island

Whenever I go away, it's normally me organising everything. This time though, it is different. I'm heading to Kangaroo Island with Fleurieu Living Magazine for some shoots. And I'm told we are staying at a B&B at Emu Bay. I was in for a surprise on arrival as to what to expect. 

Well, first we got lost. Our phone lost reception and with it went our directions. Luckily, an attentive local who we met on the ferry saw us stopping, turning and stopping and wandered over to help. She knew everyone in the area and could point us in the right direction within minutes. 

Beyond the farm gate, down the rubble driveway, sits the accommodation and owners pad. A lovely limestone and cedar building. But the real highlight is stepping in and seeing the view from the living area. I stop in my steps and stand with jaw open. I'm not just saying that - I really did. 

Outside, beyond the sunloungers and green grass is the vast ocean. There is nothing between us and the sparkling blue water except the rolling hill down to the beach (that can only accessed by a couple of homes that sit next to us). A private beach (basically). I will be wandering up and down that in the morning before we leave. 

Our host, Rob is just as amazing... we sip gin and tonics with him while watching the sun set and his beautiful Dalmation greets us after our morning walk along the beach. It makes me feel very comfortable and 'at home'. The gourmet breakfast supplies including Illy coffee, crusty bread, eggs and range of teas set me up for the day before I leave too. Mmm. 

Can I go back? Please?

www.tuemuz.com.au

Whenever I go away, it's normally me organising everything. This time though, it is different. I'm heading to Kangaroo Island with Fleurieu Living Magazine for some shoots. And I'm told we are staying at a B&B at Emu Bay. I was in for a surprise on arrival as to what to expect. 

Well, first we got lost. Our phone lost reception and with it went our directions. Luckily, an attentive local who we met on the ferry saw us stopping, turning and stopping and wandered over to help. She knew everyone in the area and could point us in the right direction within minutes. 

Beyond the farm gate, down the rubble driveway, sits the accommodation and owners pad. A lovely limestone and cedar building. But the real highlight is stepping in and seeing the view from the living area. I stop in my steps and stand with jaw open. I'm not just saying that - I really did. 

Outside, beyond the sunloungers and green grass is the vast Southern Ocean and Bass Straight. There is nothing between us and the sparkling blue water except the rolling hill down to the beach (that can only accessed by a couple of homes that sit next to us). A private beach (basically). I will be wandering up and down that in the morning before we leave. 

Our host, Rob is just as amazing... we sip gin and tonics with him while watching the sun set and his beautiful Dalmation greets us after our morning walk along the beach. It makes me feel very comfortable and 'at home'. The gourmet breakfast supplies including Illy coffee, crusty bread, eggs and range of teas set me up for the day before I leave too. Mmm. 

Can I go back? Please?

www.tuemuz.com.au

Exploring close to home...

Explore your backyard. We have all heard it. But I seem always to find more interest in exploring far away places. Wrong, isn't it? Especially since I love my backyard and champion its beauty whenever I can.

Well, this years October long weekend marked the fourth year in a row of holidaying at Port Elliot Caravan Park. After spending many summers there as a child and living in the neighbouring town of Victor Harbor for my teenage years - I finally decided to discover some new things. 

Here are some of my fave places...

Beaches...
Instead of heading to Horseshoe Bay, we veered left and wandered along the Coast path to find ourselves on an untouched, semi-deserted beach. We spot a little (4-5ft) shark playing in the shallows. Watching for five minutes, we saw it twisting and turning before disappearing, only to reappear in another spot and repeat. Swim? Not today, thanks.

There are rocks to the right of the beach, at the headland, where a man is shark fishing. And there is a surf break called chicken run right there - which I'm told only breaks in a large swell. I do see some surfers, and the wave is nice. I wonder why it's called Chicken Run? Playing chicken with the sharks is my guess. 

I continued walking up towards Middleton, on my left, is Bashams Beach, or as my dad likes to say, Lewis beach. He's re-named it after the land he owns just back from the shore - just not sure if anyone else knows. A man can dream. 

Go further, and you hit Middleton, my fave surf spot. This long stretch of beach is popular for surfing but beware of rocks under the water level while swimming, bodyboarding or surfing. 

Retro Vibe Cafe - a casual cafe decked out in, you guessed it, retro furniture and furnishings. It's near the train line and quieter than the main Victor Harbor to Goolwa drag. There's a kids corner too to keep the little ones entertained while you enjoy your coffee. A trip down memory lane is inevitable. 

Too much indulgence? Bike ride through the backstreets and headland near the caravan park for a bit of exercise. Or if you are feeling more energetic, cycle the Encounter Bikeway that runs from Encounter Bay to Goolwa. It's 30km long, reasonably flat and well made. Do as much, or as little, as you like. 

Of course, there is much more to do, but that is the beauty of the Fleurieu. You can do as little or as much as you like. 

Keeping inspired and creative...

work in progress...

I know how important personal projects are to keep creatives inspired, learning and creative. It's just that while raising two small children, running a commercial photography business and keeping the house - it's one of the last things on my list. This year, that changed. 

In September I started what was to become the biggest personal project I have done to date. I decided to partner with La Bomba, the dance school where I take lessons and tell her story through her people. 

Part documentary, part art, I asked for dancers - teachers and students - to tell me about themselves and think about how they would like to be photographed. I wanted to create a photograph that showed them, and their life outside of dance. 

Some people have chosen to show their profession or other hobbies, but many are creating photographs that inspire and connect with them. I compiled a Pinterest board of inspiration, and they are 'running' with it to co-direct their photo shoot. 

Nature and the beach are popular locations, Mother Nature playing a big part in calming and inspiring dancers of all sorts. I've photographed people in costume, in everyday clothes and sports uniforms. We've done shoots with horses, children, smoke bombs, motorbikes and flying powder. 

But one of the most interesting parts of this project has been to read and hear what draws people to dance. I've always said it is like a moving meditation for me, and this is the case for many people. Recurring themes of forgetting about their worries, being someone else, going somewhere outside of the thoughts and feeling free. 

This project also shows how diverse dancers are. We have doctors, physios, photographers and marketing managers. Students, retirees, couples, and singles. Young and old. And everyone in between. 

The exhibition will be displayed early next year; I will keep you updated about it. I'll also be captioning the images with snippets of quotes to show each dancers story. Inspiring people that have thought about dancing, but never tried. 

Summer dreams at Seawall Apartments Glenelg - check them out!

Summer loving! 

I can not wait until the warmer weather hangs around for day after day...

What better place to spend those summer days than at the beach. I'm lucky; I now live just a few minutes walk to the beach. But I'll still be taking a break at Seawall Apartments in Glenelg this summer. I love the place.

I've photographed Seawall a few times now over the years, as they renovate their rooms. And with each room being different - I will never get bored. 

But what is so great about Seawall?

I love the style, the comfort, and the location. 

My fave apartment?

Any of the beachfront ones... but Olive Court is kinda cool. 

I love a beachfront spa - relaxing as I watch the sunset over the ocean. Ok, so it does take a bit to get used to seeing people while bathing... but I know they can't see me. Cue glass of bubbles and some music and I'm set for a good half hour. I just need to learn not to run the water so hot that I overheat. 

The beach is just a few steps away, or I can walk a few minutes and be sipping a macchiato in a cafe along Jetty Road. Seawall is far enough away from the hustle and noise, but close enough to walk whenever I want the vibe. 

Check them out! And visit www.seawallapartments.com.au for more info (and to see the rest of my pics:))