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Nobby's breakwall on an angry day
After driving to work this morning and witnessing the destruction dished out by the most recent storms to hit the Australian East coast, I realised that most people had decided it was better to stay at home. In fact, the whole facility where I work was down...how did I not know this?! Anyway, with a little free time on my hands I went down to the beach to see what all the fuss was about...
Hanging Redhead
I am so proud today to be hanging my first landscape image in my home. I've waited for years for one of my images to speak to me and this one finally did.
Over the years, Redhead beach has meant so many things to me. It's been a place where I've seen great love...I've shot weddings here, I've shot engagements here. I've bobbed up and down in the waves with good friends on lazy afternoons but it's also been a place where I've experienced great pain. I've come here alone, seeking solitude, wishing I could hide out forever and I've come here with horrible people and silently prayed for the day to be over. At the end of it all, I love it here.
On this evening in March 2015, the wind was hard from the South. I was literally hanging onto the tripod to stop it from blowing over. In many ways it represents the intensity of my short relationship with this small part of the East Coast.
Shooting on the Stockton dunes
After an 11hr wedding yesterday my legs were really hurting. So, what better way too loosen up than to take some time out and walk the dunes North of Stockton. The sunset wasn't as good as last week but shooting away from the sun delivered a cracker. Have a look at the Newcastle Gallery under the Landscapes tab for this image.
Glen and Tanya were married today in the Christchurch Cathedral in Newcastle, Australia. I've been lucky enough to get to know these two just a little over the past few weeks having done two engagement shoots with them. I love my job because of people like this.
By all accounts there was a big storm approaching Newcastle. I'd been out shooting in the morning but it's hard to give up opportunities like this. So I found a good spot and decided to shoot a time-lapse of the storm clouds rolling in. When the rain hit, I tried to keep in front of the storm and made it to Newcastle baths and managed to get two shots off before being drenched. I was massively lucky and ended up with the shot below. By then the clouds had changed colour and were very ominous! Newcastle got 42mm of rain in 30 minutes.
I came off the Stockton dunes last night to find a message from my friend, Peter, about swimming at Merewether this morning. With daylight saving, sunrise is a hour earlier (6am) and we were due to start swimming at 7. So, I thought I'd get down and shoot the sunrise before. I'd expected something good given recent inclement weather...I was just expecting gloomy. I was wrong about "gloomy" but so right about "good" :)
Stockton Dunes looking South
Took a trip out to the Stockton Dunes this afternoon. I've lived here for 8 years now and never been here. I'm sure, over the winter, this will become a new regular destination for me...so many ideas!!
Hanging out on a Sunday afternoon waiting for the light to change. One of my favourite spots in Newcastle!
These two are getting married on 10 April 2015. I'm about to deliver their guest book. So proud of the way this has turned out. They're an amazing couple and I can't wait for the wedding!
Pretty cool to see my picture in the newspaper today!
Merewether Baths before the renovations.
So proud to be delivering one of my babies today. 60 Inch Canvas!!
I had been getting up every morning of this trip before sunrise. My family thought I was mad. I lived in Cape Town for so many years in the 90's but never appreciated its beauty. Today the light was right and finally I captured what I felt.
A quick selfie on top of Rockefeller Plaza
Like most other people I had watched the events of 9/11 on TV from very far away. Even before that I had wanted to come to New York...at that time for very different reasons. I eventually made it. New York was just incredible...besides the very rude security working at the Empire State building. Anyway, my very short time in the big apple was incredible. Check out the New York Gallery for some of the images.
This was the end of a long day. I had been up before sunrise and spent the whole day walking and shooting around Chicago. At 5pm I finally made it down to Lake Michigan and was waiting for the sunset. Chicago didn't disappoint. Check out the Chicago gallery.
Camera set up waiting for the sun to set. The iPhone didn't like the low light very much.
Waterton Lakes
The sun gives an unrealistic warm feeling to this image. In reality, the wind was funnelling through that gorge behind me and I could barely feel my hands. Amazing day!
It's hard to see but I'm actually standing on the walkway trying to keep the drone under control in the wind! This is the amazing Bogey Hole in Newcastle carved out of the rock by the prisoners in Colonial times.
Testing out the drone today! Haven't had this much fun in years!
Tonight I walked through a closed door
Summoned unsuspecting as ever before
On the other side a sea of dear friends
A surprise that left me in a mess
John and Kate opened their home
The stress of the build seemed long gone
Shan baked a cake, Jen sang a tune
“Happy Birthday” echoed through every room
Together we talked about days past
How young we were and oh so fast
Today I started to celebrate
And realized that I loved my fate
And someday we'll all be together once more
When all of the ships come back to the shore
I realized something I should have known
I now call Australia home
Just popped down to Dudley to get an idea for Cheryl and Vlad's engagement shoot tomorrow. If the light stays the same this is going to be a good one!
At the dawn of the last day of this year
It’s hard not to shed a tear
On reflection, 2013 will be one to remember
As it’s run it’s course, from January to December
A special mention to those lost
It’s you I think of the most
Some danced and lived to hear the end of their tune
Others left us way to soon
For me it was a year of travel and adventure
Creating memories that will last well into dementia
Meeting new and exciting people
Watch this space, there’ll be a sequal
A special shout out to old friends who remained true
This one’s for you
And to the many many new friends I made having a ball
I’ve so loved meeting you all
May the wind be at your back and the sun on your face in 2014
Bring it on!
