I'm a freelance photographer. I work out of Blue Tree Studios in Port Melbourne where I share my studio space with a small group of like-minded photographers, videographers and retouchers. I shoot a wide variety of commercial work which has taken me to many weird and wonderful places. Currently I'm in pre-production for a summer sports fashion catalogue I'll be shooting next week. It's a three day shoot with lots of different looks shooting in several locations. It's going to be hectic but fun!
Why do you do it?
Because I can't do anything else! But seriously, this job gives me great variety and so many challenges. I'm organising shoots, building sets, marketing, writing blogs, handling accounts… The list goes on. I can be creative and I can also be a technical geek. My office can be anywhere and I get to work with so many talented people.
What do you love about the city you live in?
I'm officially in love with Melbourne! At first I wasn't sure, I was just here having a good time because I still had strong feelings for London. I was with London for an intensive two year period. Now that I've been here for almost three years, I'm sold on Melbourne. I'm ready to settle down with this city. We have great food, amazing coffee, bike lanes, sooo many festivals and there is always so much to do.
Where did you go for your last holiday?
The last significant holiday I went on was more than three years ago (note to self: book in a holiday). Before leaving London I took a little detour through Europe. I spent 4 weeks in the South of France crashing at a friend's apartment in the Old Town of Nice. Then I had a quick catch-up with a friend in Rome before jumping on a boat to Sardinia to see my Italian friend's hometown. It was amazing and knowing locals in each city was a treat!
What's your favourite item of clothing? Why?
Being a fan of the hilarious T-shirt and all things monochrome it would have to be my Grand Scheme Artist Series T-shirt. It features Michael Jackson and Bubbles (drawn by Nate Van Dyke) with the text "I miss you Michael! Love, Bubbles." My second favourite T-shirt has a picture of Chewbacca saying: "I'm a lover not a biter."
What was your favourite TV show when you were a kid?
Married With Children. I used to love watching that with the old man. He would laugh so loud! I really like The Simpsons' take on Married With Children. It's quite accurate. Hilarious!
If you could travel back in time for a day, where would you go?
My family moved to Brisbane from New Zealand in 1988 but we just missed out on the World Expo 88. I've always felt quite cheated by this, so I would go back there as a seven year old and be bedazzled. And I've always wished I could have seen Nirvana at the 1992 Big Day Out. I was only ten at the time, but I reckon I could have still rocked the mosh pit. Okay, last one: when I was in art school I would constantly daydream about hanging out with Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray and his Dada-Surrealist artist friends. Being part of that movement would have been so exciting.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook for us?
For winter I would cook you Beef Stroganoff. Growing up it was the signature dish I would make for my family. I've starting cooking it again for the first time in many years. I love that creamy-peppery goodness. Add green beans on top and serve it up with a nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. Yum!
What's the best lesson you've ever learned?
Do what you love. In my career I'm really seeing the importance of my personal work and I'm trying to dedicate more and more time to it. I've just finished making some beautiful prints and I'm exhibiting them at Edmund Pearce Gallery in November.
Tell us one thing about yourself that nobody else knows...
Occasionally I indulge in a bit of Dancehall on BBC Radio 1Xtra. Mostly when I'm working late in the studio by myself. I turn it up loud and go a bit crazy.
Are you happy with your work/life balance?
I've had a dedicated studio/office space for the past two years, which has done wonders for my sanity. The studio creates a separation between work and home. I get into the studio early and work hard to finish all my work so I can get home at a decent time… well, at least that's the plan. We do have the occasional long pub lunch or bust out the Polaroid and take photos of each other to break up the day. Work/life balance? I'm working longer hours than I would like so I'm looking at how I can improve the efficiency of my business to free up some time.
How do you define success?
I think if you are doing what you love every day and you're making enough money to live comfortably then you couldn't ask for much more in life.
What's your spirit animal?
Panda for sure.
Image: Saville Coble (Blue Tree Studios)
