Scott and Tina's Wedding

I photographed Scott and Tina's wedding yesterday and had alot of fun doing it! Tina had informed me when we initially met that she didn't like having her photograph taken, but you know how we photographers feel about that comment. And, as it turned out, she was lying. I think she loves it! And, if she doesn't you would never have known.





After the ceremony in Oakleigh, we drove to town and used the Parliament buildings in Spring Street for our location. The light, the columns, the stairs, the textures - all make for a great location for wedding photography. After, we went to Buttleigh Wootten for the final few photographs before their wedding reception began there.
Thanks to you both for the honour to be there and have fun doing what I love to do.
Congratulations to you both

The Music Industry

Ben works for one of my favourite clients, but is actually a very talented singer/songwriter/musician. His first album is about to be released and I was happy to provide some 'behind the scenes' images that reveal some of the recording process.

It is hard to say how many musicians there are trying to make it into the industry and for some stupid reason, some of the least talented actually make it. I suppose its not always about the music.I hope you do well, Ben. Your lyrics and musicianship deserve to be recognised.

Speaking for the PMA and the Imaging Technology Expo

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Above: Speaking at Melbourne's Imaging Technology Expo (Bottom Pic Courtesy: Steven Pam)

The Imaging Technology Expo is now over and I was honoured to be a part of the speaking program, both for the Photo Marketing Association and the Imaging Theatre for the general public who attended.

My lecture on Friday morning was called "The Other Side of the Counter" and dealt with the differences between what customers expect and need from photo retailers and what photo retailers often give them - techbabble. I was apprehensive about my ideas, but was reassured afterward by those within the industry that I had hit the nail on the head.
My three lectures on Sunday for the general public dealt with photo tips and techniques and I was happy that I drew an even larger crowd than celebrity photographer, Guy Sebastian! Sure, he's young and good looking and a great singer, but he can't shoot like I can! ;-) I have been asked to do more speaking within the photo industry and I am more than pleased to do so. I love to inspire, motivate and teach the love and the art of photography. After all, it has brought so much joy to my life...
Here are some comments from those who were there...

"Once again mate I just want to say how great your talk was. You were certainly in the top few speakers at the conference. Your bells and whistles quote was a classic..."

"I wanted to say, thank you for sharing your passion and skill, If you had anything to do with the weekend's exhibition I am very grateful because trying to find people who share their knowledge, trying to find courses that are around for people who will never be great but hope to improve their photography is not easy, and it was pleasant to sit and listen to a man who believes that what he does is worthwhile and valuable.."

I attended your seminars on Sunday for the photographic exhibition at the Exhibition Building. They were really interesting and motivated me to learn more about photography.."

"I was lucky enough to hear all 3 of your presentations yesterday at the PMA exhibition in Melbourne and thank you - they were great. .."

Well, thank you all for your kind comments....much appreciated!
I will be speaking on the subject of Cokin filters at Michaels Camera and Video on Friday Afternoon at 2:15 11/5/07.

The Lovely Jessica

I have known Jessica since she was a baby. She has a beautiful spirit and a truly lovely face. Her husband, Richard, (aka 'Dogface') is a good friend and fellow lover of all things photographic. Jessica has modeled for me many times, appearing on front covers of my magazines and in editorials I have produced. She has never aspired to be a professional model, and perhaps her modesty and humility wouldn't let her. But me? I think she could do it. She certainly has the face for it.

For a DVD I have been asked to put together for Cokin, Jessica modeled to provide me with a series of with/without filter images. This is just one image from the shoot.
Thanks Jess. Much appreciated.

No matter how many times...

I remember the first time I saw one of my images published. I walked into a news agency and there it was - for all to see - my image on the cover. Now, twenty years later, I msut admit to still being a little thrilled. Not as much...but a little.
This is the result of my recent shoot with Relate, the one that had me up in a cherry picker.
Its nice to see your work published. Its not just about the cheque.

A Wedding in the Family

This Sunday just gone I photographed my nephew's wedding. Jacob married his girlfriend of four years, Melissa Bastin. They are such a sweet couple and I know they will be very happy. I was happy to photograph their wedding, knowing that it was the best gift I could give, and that I would probably only fret if anyone else did it! The bonus for me was that I got to get up and sing my version of Aint No Sunshine with the band that night. I got a rousing applause for my lead break as well! Talk about too much fun! Photography, and singing with a band again..all in one day!

Congratulations Jacob and Melissa!

Me and My Ricoh

I have often spoken of my fondness for the Ricoh GR Digital, of which I am a proud owner. Recently, Ricoh Australia honoured my fondness and my photography by including two of the many images I have taken with this camera by using them in their latest brochure.

This is a great camera. For SLR users who want a quality 'carry-around', its perfect. An excellent lens, complete exposure control with live histogram and 8 megapixels of image quality. I took it with me to Argentina and Canada, and I am now rarely without it. I just love it.

Get yourself one!

Better Photography and Me

Once again I have been honoured to be among the photographers whose editorials feature in Better Photography magazine. Issue 47 of Better Photography is out now. My editorial in this issue concerns itself with being creative with your compact camera and highlights images I have taken with my Ricoh GR digital, which I used in Argentina and Canada and the Kodak 6490 which I took to Peru.

I have been writing for Better Photography magazine now for some time and I am pleased to be among its longest serving writers. Its a great magazine - the second best in the country! ;-)

A Chip off the OId Block!

It would appear I am falling behind the rest of my family in that I have never won anything. My son, Nathan has now become the proud winner of Australian Traveller's photography competition with the image above. It was taken about three years ago when he was thirteen on his newly acquired Fuji S1. I am so proud of him. He has won a Canon 400D digital SLR camera...which will be a bit of a problem, seeing as we are a Nikon family. Nonetheless, well done son! A proud Dad pats you on the back!

New Total Image and Better Pictures

Well, the Autumn 2007 Total Image and Better Pictures are on their way...at long last. It contains a feature on the Art of Reduction and Buying Your Digital Camera, as well as Greg Beyer's great article on images by the water. The cover image of Total Image was provided by Greg. Its an image of his daughter taken recently while on a family holiday. I loved it. The Better Pictures cover is from a wedding I photographed a while back. The bride is Pia Reynolds, the daughter of Mario Nicotera, one of my good friends, fellow photographers and contributors to the magazine. Pia is a beautiful girl with captivating eyes.

Look for these covers at participating photo retailers and Camera House stores across Australia!

Steve and Michelle's wedding

Another weekend, another wedding? Well, sometimes it can feel that way. But people like Michelle and Steve are the kind who remind you that you are there to photograph a very important event. It may be another wedding to you, the photographer, but it is their 'day of days' and you are the one honoured with task of capturing it and creating from it. Steve and Michelle are lovely people, and being a part of their day was, as I have often said, an honour.
Congratulations to you both.

A dog of a wedding

I've learned over the years that you should never close your mind to the opportunities that present themselves. That is especially true of photography. Your options for photographs should never be limited to the actual reason you may have turned up anywhere.Case in point...

While photographing a wedding recently, I found myself being followed around the house by an old mutt that seemed to have taken a shine to me. While doing some candid photographs around the house, I turned to see the dog behind me, on the floor. I lowered my camera to its perspective and without even my eye to the viewfinder took this portrait. Its a great stock shot that could find itself on a calendar or greeting card, perhaps with a funny caption...

Either way, it was an image I had no intention of taking on a day when I was there to do everything else but portraits of a dog..

So, keep your eyes open folks!