23 From '23 | A Snapshot of 2023 {Avon Valley, Wheatbelt & Perth Wedding, Family, Event & Commercial Photographer}

With Christmas approaching and 2023 coming to a close, it's time to reflect on another lap around the sun, with a random selection of some of my favourite images from the past 12 months.

23 memorable moments from 2023, in no particular order.  An eclectic mix of images taken during some of the incredible shoots I've been privileged to work on throughout the year, plus a few from my own collection too, because, well, personal work is good for the soul!

So a huge thank you to all who have made 2023 so rewarding for me.  Because without you, my amazing clients, friends and family, I wouldn't have been witness to these moments, or had the opportunity to create these beautiful images.

Have a fabulous Christmas and New Year, and I'll see you all again in 2024!

Pathways To Wave Rock | A Regional WA Tourism Project {Avon Valley, Wheatbelt & Perth Commercial & Tourism Photographer}

Earlier this year I was approached by the Roe Tourism Association and invited to work on a project to produce visual content for Pathways to Wave Rock, a self drive tourist trail which loops through the south-eastern Wheatbelt, taking in the towns within the 7 Shires of Quairading, Corrigin, Kondinin, Kulin, Lake Grace, Narembeen and Bruce Rock. 

The aim of the project was to produce a library of tourism based images with a difference, for the purposes of promoting this vast and fascinating region to both local and international visitors alike. 

So in the months that followed, we traversed our way along the Pathways to Wave Rock, documenting the incredible towns, people and communities that we met and visited along the way.  And although it was an amazing experience in its own right, this project held a special place in my heart, because it’s the route my third great grandfather (ie great, great, great grandfather) John Septimus Roe took during his final expedition to open up new farming country in 1848.    

Captain John Septimus Roe was the first Surveyor General of WA, an Explorer, and a member of WA’s Legislative and Executive Council for 40 years, between 1829 and 1871.  He was offered the position of Surveyor General at the fledgling Swan River Colony in Western Australia sometime in 1828, married Matilda Bennett in February 1829, and set sail for WA on the Parmelia the same month.

With only one assistant, and both the Swan River and Fremantle townsites to survey, plus the potential farming land around both, he had his work cut out for him during the early years.  But he still managed to squeeze 13 children and a heap of exploring in, and to date, he’s probably best known as an Explorer, conducting 15 major expeditions across WA during his career. 

The final and largest of them all was his 5 month expedition to the south eastern part of the state, which we now refer to as the Roe Tourism area, between 1848 and 1849. This was the longest and most successful journey of exploration undertaken in Australia before 1850, and after arriving back in Perth, exhausted and sick at the end of it, at age 52, he decided to hang up his boots on the exploration side of things, and just continue surveying until his retirement in 1871. 

I am descended from his ninth child, Frederick Mackie Roe, who was also an Explorer, and who in conjunction with Charles Hunt, was responsible for opening up the road to the Goldfields by establishing a series of wells to enable travel to and from the region.

Frederick Mackie had three children, and one of them, Frederick William Roe (known as Willie) took up land in Grass Valley in the Shire of Northam, where my family has farmed ever since.

A number of JS Roes’ possessions remain in our family to this day, including his Surveyors Chain (a 66ft measuring chain of 100 links, each 7.92in in length), his wooden veterinarian box, which my dad houses his boyhood native bird egg collection in, a horse branding iron, believed to be one of the first registered brands issued in WA, and some studio portraits from the Manning Studio, which was the first photographic studio established in the Swan River Colony.

I find it remarkable that we’ve ended up with any of these things, given how many children he had, and how many they’ve all gone on to have over the ensuing 5 generations, and as a result, they are very special to our family.  

Producing content for the Roe Tourism Association and Pathways to Wave Rock project has been a dream come true for me, not only because of my love for the Wheatbelt and Western Australian farming communities, but because of my connection to both JS Roe and the route he travelled on his final expedition.

To have been able to follow in his footsteps (albeit from the comfort of a car!) and document the towns and people along the Pathways to Wave Rock has been the highlight of 2021 for me, and definitely one of the most memorable projects I’ve worked on during my career as a professional photographer, and I’d like to thank the Roe Tourism Association for providing me with such a wonderful opportunity.

I hope the following images, which are just a handful from well over 1000 delivered, do justice to both this incredible region, and to the man who passed through it on horseback all those years ago.

5 Tips To Help You Prepare For Corporate Portraits {Perth, Avon Valley & Wheatbelt Corporate Photographer}

Good corporate portraits are a powerful way to market yourself. Regardless of whether you’re a business owner or a model, an influencer or an artist - or you just need new profile images for your social media pages, a professional portrait will set you apart. But let’s face it, it can be daunting to stand in front of the camera and pose for this type of image, as they can be quite formal! However, with some forward planning and a bit of communication with your photographer, you’ll be nailing your corporate portraits in no time!

1. Consider Your Requirements, Style & Branding

The style or type of portraits you choose will determine how your audience sees you, and should reflect both your personality and brand. A traditional head and shoulders against a blank wall is more formal than a portrait shot outside, or against the backdrop of your office or workplace. Often referred to as environmental portraiture, this latter style is better suited to a more casual, laid back vibe than a formal corporate portrait, which is, well, more corporate!

However, your requirements will also influence the style you choose, so consider the end use of your images.  If you need profile images for social media or the About Us page on your website, a head and shoulders portrait may be best, but if you’d like your images to communicate something about your business or lifestyle, an environmental portrait would be better.  

Your branding may also affect the style of portraiture you opt for.  If your brand is sleek, professional and corporate, a traditional head and shoulders against a blank wall will tie in well.  But if it’s more earthy, natural and laid back, an outdoor background or environmental portrait may be better. 

2. Think About Your Clothing

Clothing is a form of expression, so choose something which reflects your personality, business and brand – and remember, first impressions last!

Generally speaking, the simpler the better. Solid neutral colours and tones such as black, white, beige, tan, olive, pale blue and grey work best.  Avoid outlandish items (unless that’s really you!), patterns, stripes, and irrelevant logos or slogans. And if your branding is orange and black, don’t wear that purple blouse!

Avoid tight fitting clothing. A blouse or shirt that fits correctly allows the viewers focus to remain on your face.  And if you normally wear glasses, it’s ok to wear them for your shoot.  Oh, and iron your clothes before the day – creases are difficult to Photoshop, and they will sit better and look more professional.

Consider any group portraits that will be taken (you don’t want to clash!). And bring a couple of additional items such as a jacket or change of shirt, in case your photographer feels they will work better, and/or so you can mix it up a bit.

3. Consider Your Hair & Makeup

You probably don’t want to do this too often, so go the extra mile and book a hair and makeup artist, so you look extra fabulous in your portraits.

Or if you’d prefer to do it yourself, keep the makeup simple and natural, and do your hair the way you normally would, so you feel like ‘you’ when you look at your images.

Keep the weather in mind if your portraits will be taken outdoors.  Bring a hairbrush and hairspray on the day, and consider an ‘up-do’ if the wind will be a problem, as flyaway hair is almost impossible to Photoshop!  Same goes for 3 day growth, gentlemen, so if possible, shave the morning of the shoot.

And don’t be scared to have a final look over yourself in a mirror, just before and throughout your shoot – your photographer will get all the tech stuff right, but he or she is not to know that you hate your hair if the part is not dead centre, or a wisp falls over your shoulder.

4. Discuss The Details

Your photographer takes great photos – that’s why you chose them, after all!  But it doesn’t matter how good they are if they don’t know anything about you, your business or brand, or what you want from your portrait shoot.

The more information they have prior to the shoot date, the more likely they will be to achieve your vision.  So discuss the details, both at the time of booking, and as the shoot approaches.

Share links to your website, business and branding. Tell them what the images will be used for, and what impression you would like to create amongst your audience.

Share examples of images you like (and don’t like!) and discuss what you did and didn’t like about any past corporate photos you’ve had done.  Oh, and mention it if there is something you don’t like about yourself – they may be able to minimise it with clever angles and posing.

5. Allow Time To Prepare

The more prep you do, both mentally and physically, the better your photos will be! Get a haircut the week before, if you’re due for one, or have a facial if it helps your skin look good.

Spend some time practicing your poses and expressions in the mirror.  It may feel awkward, but if you have some idea of what looks good, it will be a big help to your photographer on the day.  

Spend some time trying clothes on, to make sure they fit correctly and look good on. Select a few outfits, check for stains and marks, then wash, iron and hang them ready for your shoot date.

Discuss your thoughts and ideas with both your photographer and your staff, and ask for their input. Ensure staff are familiar with the timeline for the shoot day, and understand what is required of them. And share the tips on clothing, hair and makeup with them too, so they can prepare and feel their best on the day.

Finally, get a good sleep the night before, and arrive with plenty of time to spare on the day, so you don’t feel stressed or under pressure at the start of your shoot.

So there you go, my five tips to ensure you get awesome corporate images for your business or brand!

Now, relax and have fun, and let’s nail those corporate portraits!