It's the little things...

When you're in awe of the final big picture you tend to forget the little things that pulled it all together.

People, props, conversations or that fella that let you in, in traffic.

Over the coming weeks I'll feature a few items that will bring a shoot together.

I'm aching all over but it's worth it...

Yes, that ache through my shoulders, that salt on my skin was all from pressing a shutter.

No really!  I was just pressing that shutter a few thousand times this weekend.  A wedding saw me looking over a cove in Sorrento and being included in the groom's speech.  It makes it worthwhile when you're shooting for the salt of the earth and they take the time to really thank you from the bottom of their heart.

Thank you for having me Chris & Tracey!

Now I just need to sort through your shots, the cull is complete and now the processing has begun!

Sunday was a big ol' rush.  Wake up, pack the car and buster down to the National Water Sports Centre to watch a small round of the National Drag Boat finals thanks to an invite from Maggie's contractors at DTE Plumbing.  Troy & Paul are father & son and each race XL-erator & Puff. Due to the small meet they started late so I didn't get to see too much beyond practice but I've been invited back by the orgnaisation as Photographer next month. ;)

SICK!!!!

11:30, move on.  My uncle John is in town from Sydney and over lunch dad mentions that John is getting married later in the year.  Awesome!  Way too many dumplings and bean curd rolls were consumed before I shot off to Oakleigh to record some dance but I was lucky, so very lucky to be bestowed the enthusiasm and talent of Grace and Sarah. With Sarah we tried to build up several movements to create a monster of a movement.  It was one of the smaller movements that took my breath away and here it is because a post without a photo means nothing!

There's a few things I love...

My dogs and my missus are the most forgiving and understanding of all my worldly "possessions" and we spend a great deal of meaningful time together but this month marks the leash free season at the majority of local beaches in Melbourne which is a great time for us and our dogs.  Kody gets plenty of water to play in and Pokie enjoys the wide expanse of 'track' to sprint on when he's not feeling too clingy.

The weather is great for it at the moment as it means I'm very willing to wade out into the water with Kody.  As the days become shorter though the winter warmers will be put on for each walk.  It's not so bad walking down Carrum beach during winter but the walk back reminds us that it really is winter as we walk against the chilling winter wind.

Veronika & Dwayne

This weekend was epic.  One birthday party in the morning followed by a wedding between two of Victoria's finest.  Here's what has become my favourite image of the night and just a teaser of what's to come.

Portraits and mates

Must blog tonight, should have blogged yesterday, damn, didn't blog!

Okay here it is now.  I haven't blogged because I'm busy....no really! No, lazy...you got me. It's one of those new whatszitsnames that I've yet to incorporate into my daily routine and it's not as if I've nothing to say or little shoots to speak of, I do!  I grew up speaking the language of man...grunts.  Eloquence was not my forte however with this old passion of mine I've now added focus and hope to see this blog take off and teach me to excercise my skills with writing.

Take for example, a couple of weekends ago I had the opportunity to meet up with an old, old workmate's sister who needed some shots she would eventually use to promote her endevours as a singer.  I spent two wonderful hours creating a great range of shots and furthering my off camera flash techniques which I had lost a little faith in over the past few months.

Hannah turned out very well with some very dignified portraits of herself.


A little one light portraiture was praticed and it was "full on awesome" to be able to hone my work with strobes, my directorial skills and spend a few hours creating great portraits rather than the usual 20 minute sessions I've endured in the past.

Fast forward to last weekend when another old mate made the post on Facebook declaring her boredom!  I pushed on her to get out on a Saturday and let me make a great portrait of her and her bike.  A little persistence saw Marisa drag a mate down to the grounds of the ACCA in South Melbourne where we caught up and I heard the sound of the new 09 R1 with a tasty set of Akrapovic pipes singing the songs of the big bang motor.

That was a treat in itself!