A day with my Mentor

Yesterday, I packed my gear, laptop and notebook and drove my 47 year old VW Beetle to Canberra for the day (with the company of my partner - more so as my ‘bodyguard’) to meet my mentor Christine Pobke, Canberra Children, Family and Wedding Photographer.

A few days before, I felt anxious yet excited. Anxious because I was heading down to meet someone who can teach me, critique my work and give me new insights into my craft — it felt like I was heading out to see the school principal. Excited because I was so eager to learn and improve, not to mention to finally meet the talented Christine!

Having been self-taught in pet photography, I always feel there’s a lot to learn — I have always believed in trying new things, experimenting with new techniques, sharing ideas and notes, and developing my passion for pet photography and photographing life and the environment. I wanted to learn about photographing people as well as I feel it’ll help me see things differently.

From the minute I met Christine, I forgot my anxiety. I have learned a great deal after I spent half a day with Christine — not to mention being fed and 'watered'. To have the opportunity to share and witness Christine work and connect with her client was just amazingly inspiring. And I got to try some hands on experience in photographing kids. I can tell you that kids aren’t as scary as I thought!

I feel much more informed, confident, and mostly inspired after my day with Christine. Thank you Christine, for the great opportunity and your guidance — I’m grateful.

Here are some shots I made from yesterday — I couldn’t help pulling over and stopping along the highway a few times to photograph the beautiful country landscape between Canberra and Sydney in sunset and greet the bulls from a distance: