There have been 3 paths to my destination as a portrait photographer.  Firstly drawing and art were my childhood refuge. From an early age all I wanted was to be an artist, but my parents forbade it and insisted I get a proper job, and so I did. 

 

In my mid life I got a camera and my love affair with beauty began. I photographed amazing scenery and then began candidly photographing the communities in which I lived.

 

In 2016 at 56 yrs old I signed up for a Digital Art course – using photographs to composite stories and I attended a workshop with American Fine Art Photographer Brooke Shaden. Brooke is an artist making conceptual fine art using herself as a model. She is young and beautiful, and it seemed to me therefore it was easy for her to make beautiful art. I started trying to do the same but felt completely overwhelmed with feeling too old, too fat and definitely not beautiful enough.

 

Persisting; I strived to find a way of putting myself in art, which led me to learning about portrait photography. My self-portraits started out very painfully. But throughout the year I gradually uncovered myself. I was encouraged by a growing number of followers who saw me as courageous and leading the way. My portraits got more and more revealing, and a very magical thing happened - I begun to see my own beauty. Firstly it was just parts of my body, but eventually I took a portrait that I totally adored.  Fat and 57 – I had finally revealed my real beauty to myself.

 

It was then that my life paths converged. The artist within me finally stepped up, the love of a camera as a medium seemed the obvious choice and I finally had the skills transferable to help other people.

 

I have been blessed with a big overweight body all of my life, and I say blessed because it has finally become a gift. It now helps me to do what I do now, because I painfully know what it feels like to not be comfortable in your own skin. I know what if feels like to hide yourself, not wanting to be in any photographs and to know how disappointed I will be. My passion has now grown into to helping all people see their unique magnificence.

So now I am a portrait photographer, artist and body image campaigner, creating magazine-worthy branding images, heirloom portraits and artistic expressions for people. I have a deep desire to help everyone see their PERFECT UNIQUENESS and access more self acceptance and confidence.

I specialise in portraiture; which means people can rest assured that they will always look great, whether it’s their contemporary or business portraits. I provide a fully customised, immersive and often transformative experience.

 

There isn’t a bigger joy in the world than to touch someone else’s life, in a way that helps them transform it. Knowing that you had a small hand in that, wow! What better job is there! With portraits I have a chance to make a real difference and I love that!

 

My photo sessions encourage you to be yourself, appreciate yourself, change the way you see yourself.

 

2020 Internationally Accredited

ASSOCIATE PHOTOGRAPHER

The Portrait Masters USA.

 

2019 WINNER - HOME BUSINESS

Albany Chamber of Commerce

South West Region (WA)

 

THE PORTRAIT MASTER CONFERENCE

In person participation - Phoenix Arizona 2019

 

COMPETITIONS

The Portrait Masters - (ongoing)

            Bronze with Distinction – 17 

            Silver – 2

Art Not Waste – Denmark WA 2016

 

SPEAKING

Women’s Leadership Forum,

     Albany Chamber of Commerce, WA 2018

Epic Photography Conference Geelong VIC 2018

Smart Chics, Denmark WA 2017

 

EXHIBITIONS

2016 Back to Back – Denmark WA

2023 Wise Women’s Legacies -  Broome

 

PUBLISHED 

Somerset digital Magazine 2016

Awake magazine 2016