Busy Times, Awards & Photography Talk

So I have been slack on the blogging. Nothing unusual about that if you know me personally. I have never had the gift of language, especially in the written form.

So what's been happening you ask. Well I got 8 awards in 2 different competitions. The funny thing about that is, I am not sure with one of the competitions which images won. I submitted 8 images to the Trierenberg Super Circuit to help the Launceston Photographic Society get enough numbers for a club entry. The entry form needed titles for the images. Most of my images don't have them, so I made some up. I then promptly forgot what image has what name, therefore when I got the email saying 4 images did well, I have no idea which ones they are. So I'll chalk that one up as a learning experience.

The second competition I entered was the AIPP Tasmania State Awards for the first time. I needed to do this to be able to enter the APPA's in August due to their seeding policy. As this was my first time I entered a full 12 images over 4 categories (3 commercial, 4 portrait, 4 fashion, 1 illustrative). I couldn't be there for the judging due to work in Melbourne but did get to see the judging via recorded live stream a bit later.

I'll be honest, it was one of the most frustrating experiences I have had in a long time. The process involved for someone that hasn't done this before was hard and not very clear. I had one entry disqualified and a second disqualified and then re-qualified when I called them out on the rules. There was some terse phone calls and I felt hopeless being a state away from the action. Therefore I made a decision that I really need to be at judging to really get what I want out of the awards which isn't just ticks of approval but knowledge on how to improve my work and hopefully curtail any issues before they arise again.

As for results, I got 4 silver awards (which I am told is high for a first time participant. I needed at least 2 silvers to be able to enter APPAs, so I am happy with that. While I found the whole experience frustrating, I did learn a few things which is always good. Now hopefully not to make the same or worse mistakes at the next one.

So what won those silvers?

Photography Talk aka The Podcast

Because I am not time poor enough and I don't get a huge amount of time to talk directly to my friends about this passion called photography, Ed Jones and I have started a podcast called That Photography Podcast.

The format isn't 100% sorted yet, but it will be a bit of fun talking about industry, what we are doing, what we have learnt and anything else that we think of. If it's popular enough, we might even get some guests on. Hopefully this will be an avenue for both of us to express ourselves in a ore fun way.

What Shoots Have Been Happening

Lots of product and head shot shoots have been happening plus a few amazing shoots with talented creatives in Melbourne and Sydney. My plan is to do some house cleaning on this site sometime soon (don't hold me to it) and get some new work up for everyone to enjoy.

So while you wait, listen to the podcast, check the Facebook page and Instagram. Lots is happening behind the scenes and not all of it is visible here.

Joining the Club

So I finally got my act together after years of dragging my feet and joined the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers (AIPP).

To join take more than paying a fee and getting entry. You need to prove you have been working as a professional for 2+ years with references and also have your portfolio reviewed by industry peers.

I am pleased to say that I match all criteria as was accepted into the fold.

You can read up about what is required to join at the AIPP website.

So what does this mean for Joffre St? Overall not a big change, just a logo being used here and there plus more coordinated professional development (which I love anyway). Being a member also gives me the ability to submit to the state and national competitions, which us something I plan to purse starting this April and August.

In February I sent two days watching and learning from the Victorian state awards. It was amazing seeing the depth and breath of work from the industry and meeting some of the best in industry. I am excited to enter the awards for the first time to see if I measure up against others within the industry and giving myself a benchmark for future improvement.

Aussie Aussie Aussie - Athletic Portraits

Athlete: Megan Baird
Sport: Duathlon
Competition: World Duathlon Championships - Adelaide 2015
Camera Assistant: Mel de Ruyter
Locations: Blessington & Batman Bridge - Tasmania

Movement & Emotion

Dancers: Tanya Lanham, Dylan Barker

MUA: Dylan Barker

Assistant: Mel de Ruyter

Fine Art Work & Artist Representation

Big news for the end of the week!

As of today I am a signed artist with Brave art Gallery!

This is big deal for me, as someone that never had intentions to pursue photography as anything more than a learning experience, being a represented artist is something a lot of people aim for but never quite reach. I am honoured that Brave have approached and offered me such a big step into a new phase of my career.

What does this mean? It means that I need to make more work, create images for a galley showings in the future. Keep trying to be creative (I know you all will help with that) and generally push myself even further. Work will start going on sale at some point once we workout the nitty gritty.

Big thanks for Sara, Ness, Dan and all the amazing models, makeup & hair artists and other collaborators that I have worked with over the last couple of years. This wouldn't have happened without you guys. I would be remiss if I also don't thank Tiarne who has supported my endeavours and put up with my crazy ideas and disappearing to create my work.

Lastly I would like to thank everyone that follows my work. It's only the start of this wacky journey, please stick around to see where it takes us.

To celebrate here are two new pieces that haven't been published before.