Photography has become an incredible outlet for me to connect with the world around me. Whether it is with the early risers – the Sunrise Lovers Club – or snapping photos of friends and bands at a music festival, I find that photography has opened my eyes and taught me to absorb the little moments and engage with my surroundings. I often wonder how my journey from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood shapes my creativity today.
Growing up in foster care, I had to learn how to adapt and make connections with new people and environments. It was not always easy, but it taught me the importance of finding moments of joy and beauty in even the most difficult of situations. Foster care is a reality for thousands of youths in Australia, and it can be a challenging experience that often involves dealing with feelings of abandonment, rejection, and loss. As someone who grew up through the foster care system, I can say that my journey from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood was not without these emotions. However, I consider myself one of the lucky ones, as my experience was mostly a positive one.
After several placements, I was super fortunate To be placed in kinship care with my dearest Aunty Robyn at the age of 7. While it was a blessing to be back with family at such an early age, it did come with its challenges, though perhaps more for those around me than for myself at the time. As I entered adolescence and adulthood, I discovered a love for live music and good times.
My passion for photography was a slow burn and then turned an all- consuming love affair. Cameras had always been a thing in the family, my grandparents rarely seen without a camera or video camera in hand. For my 18th birthday, the family gifted me money to put towards a car, but I went and bought a camera instead. Clearly, I had my priorities in order. Photography became a way for me to express myself creatively and capture all the experiences and shenanigans going on around me at the time.
As my creative journey has unfolded, all the ‘moments’ and the people that have helped along the way, the search for connection has just continued getting deeper. There were thousands of bad sunrise shots, I still miss focus at a gig far too often, but the desire to grow and learn how to capture something more meaningful is stronger than ever. The more impact the better. Blink and you will miss it, 1/125th of a second – click – you just made a memory.
I want to capture your favourite beach or your hometown and connect with you somehow; will it make you absolutely miss home, or perhaps you might see somewhere you know very well in a completely different light. Hearing how certain images make people feel; whether it is in person, via the socials, even google reviews – it is the absolute best! I have also found that photography has helped the antisocial extrovert in me connect with people in a deeper and more meaningful way. Whether it is through capturing quirky Gimme Gimme band portraits, exhibiting my work or capturing candid shots at an event and the atmosphere and energy of live music – It is a powerful way to make connections and break down barriers.
My journey through foster care has shaped me into the person I am today, and I am grateful for the positive aspects of my experience. Through photography and the continued desire to foster a deeper connection, I will continue growing and thriving, owning my past, and making a positive impact in my own life and in the lives of those around me. So, whether I am at the beach for sunrise, lost in a National Park somewhere, chasing sunrise, or at a gig waiting for the moment the crowd goes absolutely nuts – there will be a camera in hand, both eyes open, and I will be ready to soak it all in.
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