Game changer

Finding my light

It’s been 10 years since I made the decision, I wanted to learn to do something really well and photography became my focus…actually, my obsession. I said to my husband, if I was young and free again, I would love to sign up for a week’s photography workshop in Puglia, Italy with photographer Carla Coulson. I had read her books and been so inspired by her photography journey, and she sparked a dream. My husband just said one word, “GO”. And so, I did. Of course, the minute I committed I was instantly terrified. I had never used my camera in Manual mode before. I felt I had to have it all perfected by the time I got to the workshop, so I watched countless YouTube videos, attempted to read the instruction manual and basically spent a lot of time stressing.

In hindsight it is easy to see that that week in Puglia was a major turning point in my whole life, not just my photographic life. But at the time, I sat in class each day feeling like a total imposter. Fortunately, I was surrounded by so much optimism, people hungry for knowledge and a desire to improve, and the most amazing teacher on the planet. Hands down, Carla runs the best workshops I’ve ever attended, and I attended a few after this one. I was inspired, motivated, and determined to keep going down this path.

One thing that I will always remember Carla saying was to give us permission to take time on the learning journey. It may take 10 years before you start reaping the rewards.

So I returned home from Italy and I just kept at it. I tried to take a small step each day. It might be taking photos, editing, posting on Instagram, going to an exhibition, watching a movie, or looking at a photography book. Most noticeably I was always watching the light. I have found that looking for the light doesn’t just improve my photography, but it meant I was always seeing beauty wherever I went. It lifted my mood, and it has been a great gift.

I am very grateful that I didn’t have to wait 10 years before reaping the rewards. I have been included in group exhibitions, selected in competitions, published in magazines, published a photography book, and sold hundreds of prints. Most of all I am proud that I have stuck with it.

Perhaps the biggest thing that changed for me has been my mindset. I have gone from total imposter syndrome to believing that photography is something I can do. I thought about selling prints for a long time and it is something that has become my reality, and gives me great joy. Everyone needs to start with an idea and then keep taking those steps to make it happen. To see more of my work follow the link.

One way to publish a photography book...

Aura, my first book, was published by Love Books in November 2023, and is entirely made in Australia. I had the idea to publish a photography book for a long time, but never quite knew how to go about it. I have always enjoyed the process of putting together personal photobooks when I travel, but I wanted to produce something that I could share with a wider audience. I’d look at all the books in bookshops and frequently thought to myself, if they can do it, so can I. In fact, it was a book by photographer Carla Coulson which first ignited my passion for photography so I knew the power of a book.

I have been taking photos of ocean pools for the past 7 years. I have thousands of photos. It always felt right that I should put a collection of them together in print. The pools are iconic structures along the Australian coastline where people come to swim and socialise. The are a focal point for many communities.

My first step was to go through the process of selecting images and printing a Blurb book just to see if I felt confident that there was potential to approach a publisher. I felt this would help develop my idea and make it easier for publishers to understand when I did my pitch. I was happy with the result but still was unsure how to pitch it to a publisher so that it would stand out from all the other submissions they receive.

Then one day Victoria Alexander, who I had initially met through Instagram, announced that she had set up a publishing company called Love Books. She wanted to offer something different to authors and I wanted a book that would stand out from the crowd. I have always loved Victoria’s own photography and felt that we had a similar aesthetic. We met and discussed my thoughts on a book. She asked a lot of questions, some of which I couldn’t answer, but I did get a message from her afterwards saying “your images are worthy” . I went away and worked on producing more images and thinking of the story which connected them. I had started my journey on a massive learning curve to publish a book.

Six months later I reconnected with Victoria at a presentation of her latest book, Home. We caught up for a chat and two hours later it was confirmed that she would be my publisher. After I left she made a call to Vince Frost, from Frost Collective, and by the time I got home he was on-board as my designer. I loved every minute of the design process and cried (happy tears) the first time Vince unveiled his options for the front cover. He understood where I was coming from and just elevated it beyond my dreams.

Given the subject matter was so Australian, and so am I, I felt a strong desire to have the book produced and printed in Australia. This was not the cheapest option but there were so many other benefits. I was able to meet face to face with the Printers (Peachy Print) and discuss any issues that arose; I could actually see the book being printed which was a thrill and check colours were accurate; and it saved on shipping and reduced anxiety of not knowing when it would arrive from overseas. Splitting Image prepared the photos for printing. Their work was essential for ensuring the high quality of the images when printing and calibrating the colours for the chosen paper. The fluro for the cover was screen printed by Horizon. Ball & Doggett provided valuable advice on paper stock.

While the financial side is a major consideration in the whole process, I have learnt that there are many ways to finance a book, outside of the more traditional publishing framework. I can confirm that having a financial interest in a books production definitely motivates you on many levels, and I believe that has a positive impact on the finished product.

Love Books brought together an amazing team who were so supportive throughout the process, and after. Aura is the result of all their efforts. I have had so much wonderful feedback about the book since its release. Readers connect to the joyfulness, the reminder of childhood, the “Australianness” of the images. The also love the brightness of the graphics, the feel of the paper, and the size of the book.

People will tell you that you do not publish a book to make money. It’s true (with some exceptions), and I think that is unfortunate. I now look at a book and have a much greater understanding of all the effort, thought, energy, resources, time, passion and hope that has gone into each and every one of them. But if you enter the process wanting something more than money, you are likely to receive much greater rewards. I have the satisfaction of achieved a long term goal, in fact I have produced a book which exceeds the goal I had originally set. I enjoyed the process more than I ever could have imagined and I pushed myself way beyond my comfort zone on many levels. Was it all worth it? Definitely.

Aura is available on my website or in most good bookshops (always wanted to say that!).

Victoria, it was so lovely to see you again

I had nearly forgotten that thrill of exploring somewhere completely new until last weekend when I visited regional Victoria. I had been selected as a Finalist in the Maldon Photography Portrait Prize (see last photo below) so I thought that was as good excuse to hop a flight down south. We hired a car and the first stop was Trentham. I have only ever heard of this place from following @lynda.gardener beautiful Instagram account. The minute we drove into town, and I saw the once a month farmer’s market was on, I squealed with delight. Firstly, because I knew that bacon & egg roll on the BBQ was going to be just what I needed after a 7am flight (it didn’t disappoint). But also because I always love to see what is grown locally and what is in season. We then moved on to the Trentham General Store for our caffeine fix, followed by a wonder round town. Next stop was Castlemaine for lunch with friends at Wild which is located in a converted fire station. We ate so much we had to have a good walk around town afterwards and checked out some of the vintage shops. Then it was a quick check-in at our Airbnb in Hepburn Springs before we had to be in Maldon for the opening of the exhibition at the Edge Galleries. For a small town, Maldon is big into its art and clearly there is a thriving community of local artists. I love travelling to take photos but sometimes it is nice to visit somewhere to see your work hanging. The next day was spent relaxing and enjoying a very long lunch at Lake House restaurant in Daylesford. This is an experienced not to be missed. There are four courses, each with 3 choices. Knowing that Creative Director, Alla Wolf-Tasker is passionate about growing much of the produce at Dairy Flat Farm I could not resist the vegetable option for the first two courses and they were sublime.

So in 48 hours it is amazing where you can go and what you can experience. Below is just a snap shot of the weekend.

Carla Coulson's Dreams into Reality interview

Ex-pat Australian photographer, Carla Coulson, has been a big part of my photographic journey. Below is a recent interview she did with me to understand better how I have achieved some on my dreams….

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Spicers Scenic Rim Trail, Queensland

When my travel writer niece asked me to join her for 5 days on the Spicers Scenic Rim Trail, in south-eastern Queensland, I didn’t hesitate to say YES. She kept repeating the word “luxury”, and the fact that I had to walk 60km over 4 days seemed to be ignored. She knew exactly how to lure me in. There was also a lot of emphasis placed on the first dinner being held at Homage, a hatted restaurant, located at the beautiful Spicers Hidden Vale. My niece knows me better than I thought. This was definitely an amazing way to start off what is known as one of Australia’s Great Walks.

A full stomach and a great nights sleep, and then the work began. The Trail is rated medium to hard. I wouldn’t argue with that. I imagine most trips have their own weather conditions to contend with. Ours happened to be rain, but others may experience heat and humidity or colder weather at night. While this all presents challenges, nothing can take away from the sheer beauty and delight of being enveloped in nature for the 4 days of the trail. I fell totally in love with the rainforest which was lush and green as drops of rain tried to make their way through the dense canopy. The greenery seemed to nourish the soul and erase any other thoughts except for where to take the next step.

Spicers have thought of every detail on this trip. Whether it is a nice warm hand towel on arrival, followed quickly by champagne and cheese, to delicious three course dinners and a hot water bottle waiting in bed on a rainy night. The eco-lodges are buried deep in the forest and only those on the Spicers trek can stay the night. Then there were our guides. We were fortunate to have Ellie & Hayden, who just happened to be recently married and whose love of hiking and nature was evident from the word go. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they did everything with a smile. Finally, my group of fellow travellers. It is always so interesting to spend a short but intense amount of time with people you have never met and let their stories unfold.

So while “luxury” and “hatted restaurant” may have got my attention in the first place, it was definitely the landscapes and the people who really made this trip memorable…oh, and the helicopter ride back to the starting point (one of the perks of travelling with a travel writer).

Bangkok, Thailand

It has been 3 years since the last time I was in Bangkok and the two things that have noticeably changed are: it is way more congestion and they have a new King. I love Bangkok but the 3 hour drive in from the airport had me concerned. It was peak hour and raining which I am told significantly slows the traffic but even my taxi driver said that was the longest he had taken for that trip. The good news is they are working on extending their public rail network and this is definitely the best way to get around the city. I strongly recommend that when booking a hotel that you choose one close to a train station. If you are going to rely on taxi’s then make sure you don’t plan too much. Car ownership has increased significantly but the road system is largely designed to cope with motorbikes.

That aside, I still love Bangkok. Life is lived on the streets, which are full of activity, colour, noise and food. People often ask me for recommendations of places to go. I generally don’t need a destination in this city, it is made for wandering, observing and frequent stops for refreshments.

I stayed in two different hotels this visit. The Cabochon Hotel was my first stop and it was wonderful. Located at the end of a quiet lane but very close to transport, shopping, and good restaurants. Although a modern construction its interiors reflect a colonial past and there are lots of little details which add up to a beautiful and comfortable hotel. The lap pool on the roof offers the perfect place to relax and my tip is arrive early to enjoy some early morning laps on your own. The staff here are extremely attentive and you will be well looked after.

Our next stop was at The Sukhothai Hotel, one I have been to a number of times before. For me it is like entering a sanctuary amidst all the chaos. It is much larger that The Cabochon but it is not long before you get to know the staff. The buffet breakfast is definitely an attraction and expansive, both for the eyes and the waistline. The pool, which is always important in a hot climate, is large and their newly expanded lounge area means you can always find a quiet spot.

A few suggestions of things to do: definitely go late at night or pre-dawn to the flowers markets; wander the streets of Chinatown; hire one of the timber long-tail boats and cruise around the back canals (we caught our from the jetty next to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and went in for a cool drink at the Hotel afterwards); alternatively just catch the public ferry along the Chao Phraya River and enjoy the passing sights and the breeze; at the end of the day make your way to one of the many rooftop bars to watch the sun go down.

Palm Springs, California

As someone who has always loved the simplicity and efficiency of Modernist architecture and furniture design I have longed to visit Palm Springs. Sometimes when your expectations are high the reality can be quite different…but in this instance my expectations were far exceeded. Perhaps it was because I had just flown in from New York City, but Palm Springs seemed to me calm, clean and felt extremely safe. That just sets the background for the many joys this city has to offer.

What finally brought me to Palm Springs was its Photo Festival where I attended an Architectural & Interiors photography workshop with Scott Frances. It was such an amazing experience to be out photography stunning properties during the day, including Albert Frey’s House ll and The Lautner Compound, then viewing presentations by world renowned photographers each night. I highly recommend the Festival to any photographer reading.

Although Palm Springs is relatively small in size I did find hiring a car useful for cruising around the various neighbourhoods and for venturing beyond the city limits. It is also a great place to hire bicycles as it is generally flat and there is an extensive network of bike trails. The Old Las Palmas neighbourhood is a good place to start exploring the mid-century architecture and gardens. If you are not joining a guided architectural tour during your visit then look for the “Open House” signs if you want to also see some interiors.

I visited Palm Springs for 8 days and stayed at three different hotels. The first hotel I had to check-out of promptly due to its resemblance to a Frat house (only ever seen these on TV but it was pretty wild). Perhaps I was naively unaware that Palm Springs is a popular Bachelor & Bachelorette party destination so pick your hotel wisely if coming on a weekend. Fortunately, I found a fantastic, small boutique hotel called The Weekend which restored my faith in how a hotel should be run. It was like walking into a little oasis with ten rooms situated around a central pool. It was perfect. I didn’t want to leave except I had splurged on one final night away at the Parker Palm Springs. It is cool and funky but it could do with a little refresher. I can also recommend The Monkey Tree Hotel and The Lautner Compound for those architectural inclined.

Even if you don’t stay at the Parker make sure you dine at Counter Reformation. This is the Parker’s take on a speakeasy and is secretly concealed so make sure you search it out. Customers sit at a counter and are served tapis, wine and great conversation, which was perfect for this lone traveller. I also recommend Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey. Their Baby Langustine Roll had me coming back for more. I must have been craving Asian food because Rooster & The Pig was also a favourite which their tasty Vietnamese offerings. Zin Americana Bistro is highly recommended and located in the centre of the main shopping strip. I found the best coffee was from Juniper Table at the base of The Rowan Hotel. Mind you, the Starbucks opposite is the best designed Starbucks I have ever seen, and I may have indulged in one of their affogatos on a hot afternoon.

I often say I want to go back to a place and the reality is I never will…but I know Palm Springs will definitely be somewhere I return…and next time I will make it to Joshua Tree National Park.

Hotel Parco dei Principi di Sorrento, Italy

Any hotel which has a blue and white colour palate is going to win me over pretty quickly. But nothing could have prepared me for how quickly Hotel Parco dei Principi would win over my heart, and that of my family. The Italian architect, Gio Ponti, designed and constructed his dream, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, on the outskirts of Sorrento, during the 1960’s. There is a lot to be said for a hotel where the architect designs every, beautiful detail, including furniture, artwork and diving board. Our biggest dilemma each day was whether we would swim at the pool, with its sculptural diving board, or at the beach club, reached via a lift inside the rock cliff. The gardens are extensive and lush and provided an escape from the summer heat. While I generally do not eat in hotels when travelling, we could not resist having a number of excellent meals on the terrace overlooking the ocean as the sunset. While Sorrento itself is teaming with tourists, Hotel Parco dei Principi is a wonderful oasis of calm and beauty.

Trinidad, Cuba

First thing to get clear, this is a story about Trinidad, Cuba….not Trinidad & Tobago!

Most articles on Cuba seem to concentrate on Havana but it was Trinidad, on the other side of the island, that won me over. Trinidad still has a similar patina to Havana, vintage cars, cheap cocktails and cigar sellers on the street, but there is a real charm and vibrancy to this colonial town which I didn’t quite find in the big city of Havana. There are also plenty of cowboys still riding around…and who doesn’t love a cowboy?

After arriving at the airport in Havana, my husband & I were driven across the island in a 1949 Chevolet, with no suspension and all windows open for air-conditioning. I lied to my husband and told him that the trip would only take a couple of hours. Four hours later we arrived slightly windswept but having seen the beauty of rural Cuba where tropical fruit crops are plentiful. I loved every minute of it and in the end it seemed to me the right way to arrive in Trinidad.

Looking for a more authentic accommodation option, and being generally disappointed with other options, I had booked a room in an Airbnb in the centre of the town. This enables locals to prosper and allows a glimpse of everyday life in Cuba. It was located within easy walking distance of the main town square and meant we got to appreciate the town at night when many of the day trippers had returned to Havana.

The beauty and historic significance of the town was officially recognized in 1988 when it was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. It’s colonial architecture and cobbled stone streets have been well maintained. What attracted me most to Trinidad is that it is a town where you can just wander and explore without any itinerary or destination. To me it was more about seeing what life was like in Cuba rather than visiting specific sites or doing particular activities. I did hear wonderful stories of horse riding adventures and trips to the nearby beach but the cobble stone streets of Trinidad were a greater attraction. As a market lover I thrived on the many streets filled with artisans selling local crafts including woodwork, embroidery, jewelry and paintings. In fact we found shopping here much more pleasurable than Havana.

What really made me smile was the music. On the streets, in the restaurants, or coming from the open windows as you passed private homes, music was everywhere. It is difficult not to feel happy when you see Cubans dancing at the Club Amigos del Danzon. Our two evenings in Trinidad were spent sipping cheap cocktails, watching the sunset from a roof top bar, and dancing to the Latin beat...and I loved every minute.

Coqui Coqui Residence & Spa, Merida

Mexico is full of so many different experiences, and staying at the Coqui Coqui Residence (L’Epicerie) in Merida has several all rolled in to one. The Coqui Coqui Lifestyle brand includes accommodation, spas, perfumes, oils, candles and more and at the Merida Residence & Spa it is all there to experience.

When we first enter the Coqui Coqui townhouse the scent is the first thing than strikes you. On this day it was orange blossom and we instantly felt relaxed and refreshed after a turbulent flight from Mexico City. What is unqiue about this accommodation is that you have to walk through the elegant perfumerie before reaching the check-in desk. It sets the scene for what you know will be something quite special.

On the first floor is the accommodation which, to me, was like walking into my perfect world. Two luxuriously styled rooms which, despite the opulence, felt as comfortable as being home. The rooms are richly decorated in antique furniture and heavy velvet curtains. The main bedroom has a king size, wrought-iron, four poster bed. But I can’t take my eyes off the two, French claw-foot bath tubs sitting next to each other. I love a bath, and two is just my idea of decadence. Of course, you can’t have a bath without Coqui Coqui bath products and candles to burn and luckily a large gift box is provided and enjoyed throughout our stay.

If that isn’t enough pampering then there is your own, private plunge pool to the rear and spa on the upper level. After a week of travelling I was ready for a little rejuvenation and their signignature facial, “Under the Yucatan Sun’ was just the answer. Coqui Coqui products are all about connecting with nature. Their facials use the direct approach with fresh ingredients such as honey, cucumber, avocado and yogurt leaving my skin feeling refreshed and nourished.

What I probably have failed to mention is that there is only that there is only one suite. You are the only guests, When the staff go home to the evening you have the whole place, including the shop, to yourself. As a child you dream of being locked in a candy shop, this is my adult equivalent.

Oaxaca

Once I learned how to pronounce Oaxaca (Wa-ha-ka) it became my favourite place in Mexico

Oaxaca is a city I could keep going back to over and over again. It has so much of what I love to experience when I travel - great markets, lots of handcrafts, plenty of wonderful cafes and restaurants, groovy bars, and beautiful architecture. What also appeals is that so much of it is easily accessible by foot, so no need to worry about working out foreign transport systems of wondering if the taxi driver is going to rip you off. Most days we just wandered the streets with no particular destination. I love the feeling of discovery rather than being guided by a book or even a map. I'm a big lover of markets and there are plenty to visit in Oaxaca. Unlike Mexico City, where I was told not to photograph in some markets because they are run my the mafia, the ones in Oaxaca seemed perfectly safe. It is an advantage to at least know your numbers in Spanish, as most people do not speak English, alternatively show the shop keeper the calculator on your phone and that can help determine a price. The Zocalo is a good place to hang out and watch the world go by, as is the courtyard in front of the Templo de Santo Domingo. There are many galleries spread throughout the city, but the best art is the graffiti on the walls, not just scribbles but real art. From street food to higher end dining, Oaxaca has it all, my favourite being Casa Oaxaca. The region around Oaxaca is well known for producing Mezcal and there are lots of small, groovy bars when you can sample the many varieties. Our luggage nearly doubled in size after visiting Oaxaca so be warned.

Mexico City

Some tips for navigating one of the world's largest cities....

I love doing quite a bit of research before I visit a new destination. I hate the thought of missing out on seeing something amazing and finding out about it afterwards. The reality is, you just can't cover everything, and with only 4 days in Mexico City I feel like we didn't even experience the tip of the iceberg. There is just so much to see. But, from my experience here are some suggestions and tips. Firstly, getting a taxi at the airport was easy and safe (this was probably my main concern before visiting). Secondly, unlike Australia, the ATM machines give you your cash first and card afterwards. Don't do what my husband did and walk away with your pesos and forget your card. My knowledge of Mexican food was not extensive so to start the holiday off on the right foot we went on a food tour with Eat Like a Local. From street food to restaurants and a couple of markets, we covered a lot of ground and ate way too much food. The other tour we did was The Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera Tour with The Traveling Beetle because logistically I didn't know how we would cover all this ground in the short amount of time we had, plus they arranged the entry tickets. Of course driving around in an open top VW Beetle was lots of fun (even though temperatures were fairly low). The Luis Barragan House is definitely worth the effort for those interested in architecture. You need to book on a tour to visit and even though our one was in Spanish (which I don't speak), they did add quite a lot in English. Tamayo Gallery was also enjoyable, with an excellent cafe attached. The Museo Soumaya is striking from the outside and we felt the exhibits inside improved as you progress higher in the building. The Zocalo, for its scale, is an incredible experience. We had a cocktail on the rooftop of the Hotel Majestic to get a bird's eye view of the giant square - the view is great but the Hotel needs a good upgrade. The Downtown Hotel is good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Pujol is a must and popular with viewers of Netflix's Chef's Table. Finally, we found Uber the easiest way to get around and is very cheap. We also found Starbucks was everywhere, and while I don't recommend the coffee, the free wifi is extremely helpful.