Easter Bunnies and 2 Black Cats | cat photography

It's not the first year these boys have encountered Easter chocolate bunnies. When the two guinea pigs were still around (RIP), these boys were kittens themselves and learning well, not to be rodents. Fast forward 3 years, the Easter chocolate bunnies are still as new as anything to these cats. PF in particular, wasn't impressed he couldn't take a bite at the bunnies. (Frankly, I find it hard to eat the bunnies myself too!)

Learning | art and the heart

Shoot from the heart. Know yourself. Shoot for yourself.

Sounds simple. This needs a lot of discipline, focus, determination, courage, perseverance and strength to discover and go your own way.

Around mid-February this year, I flew to Melbourne and attended the 3-day art and the heart workshop at the Dear Patti Smith Gallery. It helped me work through some things I have been having conflicts with, things I always wanted to do but just couldn’t justify it - mainly, to shoot for myself.

The Workshop was my best investment so far*. I learned quite a lot about being an artist and not just a photographer, as well as wedding photography business advice that I could transfer to my pet photography business.

Also met some fabulous photographers (many are world-class) whom I am now proud to call friends. They supported me throughout my 3-day journey, encouraged me to do better, and have kept in touch.

The most awesome part (yes, ‘awesome’ is now a word I use!) was to be able to learn from Dan O’Day and Samm Blake. My mentor from a previous workshop, Christine Pobke, made a special appearance (and effort) to manage the place and keep us watered and fed.

So this year, I am booking less sessions and investing time to shoot for myself.

For you wedding photographers out there, rest assured, I’m not switching genre. But if you are looking for a second shooter or are signing up a couple with pets, you know to call me!

More on my personal blog for those who are interested.

*(in case you haven’t figured it out, part of being a professional photographer and running a photography business requires a lot of investment - it’s not just time but the money. We don’t just hang out, shoot and then party)

2 Silvers | 2012 AIPP NSW Epson Professional Photography Awards

I was honoured to get Silver awards for two pet portraits I submitted to the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) Epson NSW Professional Photography Awards last weekend.

A dog and cat share these awards with me - Zac the dog, and Lucas the grumpy Balmain cat, got the judge’s approval last weekend at the awards.

Neither of these were studio shots - they were on location work, which is what I value as a pet photographer - so it was gratifying that this kind of approach can be successful and recognised by the AIPP (my peers) as valuable in a world of increasingly processed picture making.

So thanks judges, and thanks also to those beautiful pets that make being a pet photographer such an amazing experience. It’s all for you in the end :)

Artex the Border Collie | Sydney Dog Photography

Introducing Artex, a 13 month old Border Collie, and my new friend.

Artex, travelled down from Lilyfield with his ‘parents’ for a test shot right in the heart of Potts Point 2 weekends ago. These are my favourites from our test shot. Thank you for coming around and meeting me.

Stay tuned for more. I can't wait to show off more of Artex.