My Approach to Photography
Every photo session is a complete project. I begin with thorough documentation and planning. I create a project document that outlines the main idea, how we will present it to our audience, the styling, and the necessary elements. This way, all participants — photographer, models, stylists, makeup artists, etc. — understand their roles and the final outcome before the shoot begins.
Key Elements of Project:
Idea
I develop the theme and idea either independently or with the client. It can be a personal story (e.g., work, hobby, or passion) or an entirely fictional scenario, as if we are creating a movie and writing the script.
Styling
Together, we choose the stylistic direction, whether it’s realism or a fictional universe. We select the era, create mood boards, and gather references. This helps in selecting clothing, hairstyles, makeup, and props for the characters.
Sketches
To ensure everyone on set knows what to do in each shot, I prepare a storyboard with key elements for each image. I also create references to convey the overall atmosphere and colour scheme.
Shooting and Post-Production
To produce finished photos that look like paintings or movie stills, proper settings and lighting are crucial, as well as post-production. I handle colour correction, retouching, and any necessary editing to meet our goals.
I usually shoot in my home studio in North Sydney, which is fully equipped with backdrops, props, and technical equipment. However, I can also arrange shoots at other locations if required by the project or client preference.