Just to let you know...

Hello lovely readers!

If you've been following this blog for a while now (or if you've been following me on any other form of social media for that matter) you may be aware that I've been working on setting up a website for my photography business. My what an adventure that was! I'd be working on something for days, get it to a place where I thought I was ready to launch then the next minute I was unhappy with it and totally scrapped it.

Well, I decided it was time to finally take the plunge and launch taflinehoeyphotography.com.au!

It's still a little bit of a work in progress. But it's there... My little proclamation that I'm a professional photographer. I'd love it if you could click the link, take a look and tell me what you think! If you have any suggestions I'd appreciate the feedback.

If you are a facebook user I would be very much obliged it if you could take a second to 'Like' the Tafline Hoey Photography fan page! 

In other news I'm off the New Zealand tomorrow for a week... Yes okay not exactly the best timing to launch my business website then go overseas the next day. But be on the lookout on the website, facebook fan page and this blog for pictures of the stunning landscapes of New Zealand in the up-coming weeks! I'm going to try and post a bit while I'm away but I'm not sure what kind of Internet coverage I'll have access to over there so if I go quiet for a week now you know why. I hope to tweet and Instagram where possible as a little on-going journal of my trip so follow along if you'd like to see what I'm up to.

In the meantime I hope you are all having an amazing day and are looking forward to a fantastic week ahead... I know I am!

 

George & Crystal - First Look

Let me tell you the story...

I have a wonderful cousin who lives in Sydney and shares my passion for photography. She has been slowly but surely building up her own photography business - Samara Joy Photography. A while ago she shared her joy at the opportunity to photograph her friend's wedding and build her portfolio.

I, of course, delighted in the news and offered (half jokingly) to fly to Sydney and act as her assistant/second shooter ... As it turned out the wedding was taking place in Brisbane and my cousin and the bride were happy to have me come along as second shooter! Truly amazing! It was a joy to photograph the delightful couple's special day with Samara. Click here to see her take on the wedding day. (While you're there take a look at the rest of her blog and subscribe)

 ghhhhhhh

To capture the absolute beauty of two people making a lifelong commitment to one another is an honor. Crystal and George began a journey that day and I was privileged to witness it. Click on the images if you would like to view them larger.

 sdfgggggggg

I'm still working through my images from the day but I thought I'd share a few of my favorites so far. There was laughter. There were pictures. There was the occasional tear. There were precious little moments. There were stories shared. There was love... And there was a couple starting their new lives together as husband and wife. That is pure beauty...

 dxddffffffffff

I'd like to share another quick story if I may. As you may notice the groom is a Papua New Guinean. I cannot recall if I've shared before of my connection to the country. From living there when I was little to going back for (at times heartbreaking) visits - the place holds a special place in my heart. It is undoubtedly part of my history... And there are times I yearn to go back for a visit... At this wedding I got a taste of Papua New Guinea and my heart was full. Thank you George and Crystal for allowing me to capture your special day and for giving me a sweet little taste of PNG.

There are many more images to go through and a lot more exciting news to share... But that shall wait for another post. In the meantime I say thank you to George and Crystal for entrusting your special day to Samara and I... And thank you Samara for a wonderful weekend of photography, fun and laugher - we must do it again sometime!

 

Inspired By Song - 'Let Her Go'

A while ago I decided to start a new photographic series called 'Inspired By Song'. Because I'm such a visual person whenever I listen to music I always 'see' pictures to accompany the music. I figured it was about time that I start making these imaginary photos into a reality.

I shot the first set of the series yesterday... Inspired by 'Let Her Go' by Passenger. If you haven't heard of Passenger you are seriously missing out! Click through and listen. Then do yourself a favor and buy all of his albums... and oh my is he magnificent live! I've had the privilege to go along to a few of his gigs in recent years and he is one of my favorites for sure.

Here's the official video clip for 'Let Her Go':

Now that you've heard (or are listening to) the song here are a few of my favorites from my photoshoot 'Inspired By Song - Let Her Go':

A huge thank you to Miss R for being my amazing model! She got my vision for the shoot the minute I started explaining it and was on-board with it all. Even after mosquitoes started eating her alive she happily was traipsing through the forest when I asked. If that's not dedication I don't know what is! Thanks so much Miss R!! I can't wait to work with you again. 

Also a big thank you to Miss D for the fantastic make-up artistry skills. I'll be calling on her again for sure... It was so wonderful to be able to capture the images that I saw in my mind's eye. I'll leave you with my two favorite images from the set.
dffffffff

Thanks for taking a look at the first set in the series! I'd love to hear what you think!!

Stuff Your Eyes With Wonder..

A while ago a friend and I headed out to take a few photos of the sun fading from the sky and stare in wonderment at the stars above. We managed to find a spot not too far from my place that seemed like the perfect location with very little light pollution. A spot I'll be coming back to I'm sure. Here are my three favorite photos from our little adventure.

 Standing out there in the cold beholding the beauty of the stars shining bright and true I couldn't help but think of Ray Bradbury's thoughts in Fahrenheit 451:

"Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories."

 

I've got to say after sitting in that spot for a few hours gazing at the stars above I felt as if I managed to stuff my eyes with the wonder of the world. All in all it was a wonderful way to spend a few hours... But next time I'll be bringing a thermos of hot chocolate!

I Choose...

 It's 3:45 am and smoke hangs heavy in the air. Sleep does not come easy to this restless mind of mine...

So now seems as good a time as any to actually type out a post I've been writing in my head for quite a while now. You know the type that you write and re-write over and over in your mind til one day you actually sit down at your keyboard and punch it out.

Yep it's one of those posts... So settle in for a manifesto of sorts if you will. Hope to see you on the other side.

I Choose

I choose to throw away the measuring stick

I choose not listen to those who seek to bring me down

I choose to stop keeping up with the Jones (who are they anyway?)

I choose to follow my own path wherever it may go

I choose to not get to get discouraged when things don't happen as I expected

I choose to do what makes me happy

I choose to live, laugh, love and learn

I choose to tune out those who don't deserve a say in my life to begin with

I choose to live a BIG life

I choose to be brave and stick to my guns

I choose to passionately pursue my photography career with vigor and determination

I choose to grow and learn and develop my photography skills in every way possible

I choose to go on adventures...even if they are in my own city

I choose not to put life on pause waiting for something to happen

I choose to be confident in my talents and abilities

I choose to be confident in myself

I choose not to care about other's judgments

I choose to dream

I choose to have fun 

I choose to stand up for myself and for what I believe in

I choose not to spend so much time thinking/worrying about tomorrow

I choose to live in the moment

I choose to make mistakes and I choose to learn from them

I choose joy

I choose to be who I am no matter what the circumstance

I choose to see the beauty in every moment I have on this Earth and make the most of each moment

What about you? What do you choose?

 

Twin Bridges

About a week ago I got up and dressed before the sunrise to capture the beauty of a brand new day. It seemed like the perfect day to re-visit a spot that I'd been to roughly a year before. Thankfully I got there a bit before the sun rose which gave me the chance to scout the location a little bit more than the last time and fit in a few sneaky l-o-n-g exposure shots before the sun started its climb to start off a new day.

Of course this was the perfect opportunity to break out my ultra wide lens (gotta love that 8-16mm focal length) and experiment with perspective and distortion. I just loved this little spot underneath the two towering bridges above. While I was there I couldn't help but think that it would make a magnificent backdrop to some stellar portraits. I'm slowly gathering an arsenal of perfect portrait backdrops... So if you're in the area and feel like some photos be sure to contact me.   

As can happen when I'm off taking landscape photos on my own I got completely wrapped up in the experience - completely enthralled in my long exposure shots underneath the bridge. So much so that the next thing I knew colour was starting the creep into the sky and I wasn't in position. Luckily I am now able to pack down my gear in record time and I (almost) ran to the best closest spot to capture the sunrise. 

I know I say it every single time but there's something kind of breathtaking about watching the sunrise. Seeing a band new day full of infinite possibilities take hold is something everyone should witness at least once in their lives.

 

I decided to add a black and white treatment to one of my under the bridges digital shots. I have a bit of an infatuation with black and white photography. Especially film black and white photography - the grain, the texture, the varying hues of black and gray - simply bliss. Given all that you can understand why half my rolls of 35mm film are 'true black' rolls. I'm going to get a bunch of my rolls of film developed soon and I'll be sure to share once I get my hands on them.

There should be a lot more coming up on this little blog super soon so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime I hope you're having a wonderful week!