Last night I went to my camera club, The Aperture Group for the first time this year, actually the first time in a long time. Last year was a pretty rough year for me, and my health has not been at its peak, so by the time 7pm came around on a Tuesday evening, I never seemed to be able to get out of the house. This year, I have sworn to make more of an effort, to chat to other photographers about the things we all love, and to learn new skills, and take heed of critiques of my work.
I have always loved photography, and years ago, the reality was, the price of being able to expand with it was out of my reach. With all of my kids at school (and left school), I was able to make way to take some time and money for myself and learn a new skill. I knew I would love it. My kids hated it, too old to love the ‘kids photo modelling’ like the little ones, they begrudgingly sat on stools surrounded by my prop addiction while I clicked my little shutter learning about focus, lighting, aperture (what the heck is that??), depth of field, composition…… “Mum, have we finished yet, I’m done.” I realised through my learning, I really do love photographing people, especially willing people, and children are usually the most willing. They really know how to play up to a camera.
I thought I wanted to photograph landscapes to begin with, and I did for a few months, learning to photograph things that were stationary…. but then my undiagnosed ADD set in and I needed movement, and what moves more than babies, toddlers or children? Try capturing a milestone session of a 6 month old crawling towards your camera ;) Plus I could use my abilities of art, design and prop hoarding, I mean prop searching. I have so many props we have just bought a sea container so we don’t have to move out the house……. if you think I am kidding I have a claw foot bath at my front door, and a row boat that probably doesn’t float, out the back.
The last few years I have built up my Perth Newborn Photography and Maternity Photography, and I love it (so share the word around). This year, my friend and I are immersing ourselves in ‘Magic & Wonder - Unique Children’s Creations’, and letting our, and our clients imaginations run wild. To let children have fun, and dress up, while capturing and encapsulating their childhood innocence. We have had such fun already, Glitter sessions, our annual Christmas Mini sessions, a bath tub full of bubblegum (whilst wearing rollerskates), a carousel horse in parklands, fields of lavender flowers, pirates in row boats….. and we have so much more up in our heads.
I had a goal when I turned my camera from auto to manual - to take a photo of someone and make the background that nice blurry look, while the person stayed looking ‘good’, and to take a photo of water over rocks, so you could see the motion of water. Ha, I now have a giggle, I can do both, and now my goals have shifted - but isn’t that good we all keep evolving & learning.
SO back to camera club, last night I won both Gold and Silver for the two images that I entered. Not high in the International photography stakes, but it did make me think of humble beginnings, and the continuing learning that we all are on. I think my goal is now Perth’s Best Photographer ;)
Gold Image
Silver Image