Inspired Issue

As some of you will know, I’ve been contributing to a fantastic local, magazine in the lovely Hervey Bay, Qld region. Alive magazine was created during the infamous Covid Era as a way of spreading positivity in a strange and uncertain time in human history.

I was asked to fill-in to write the cover story about 18 months ago now and I was delighted at the opportunity. I was asked back a second time directly after, then shortly after I was instead, contacted with the details of the next feature article to be written.

From that point until now, I’ve only missed a couple of articles due to circumstance. Within the last 12 months I was also given the opportunity to shoot my own portraits to go with said stories.

The following is the first of those articles and I am proud to share that there are many more to come in the following blog posts.

Of note, I chose a different look with my tones for this shoot as a way of matching the style of the previous photographer. I still think it’s interesting that different palettes suit different shoots and people.

I am feeling a new lease on my creativity recently and I plan to create much more and share more blogs with you, my fine audience. I’ll be lying if I said it wasn’t also a little proud and excited to build out my own corner of the internet with as much of my own art as possible. My full feelings on having a presence that is my own versus controlled by social media giants in a later piece.

I’d love to hear any feedback you have in the comments below or by connecting with me on my instagram. I’d be curious to hear what you think of the work as well as the format itself. I’d also love to hear any feedback of topics you’d like me to cover in the future and/or if you’d like me to show up on any other formats (sorta, kinda keen to check out YouTube in some fashion…).

The original published article can be found here.

The Inspiration of Creation

Something of an auspicious number to me, I noticed myself being more present than usual and I reflected on how I would usually celebrate a birthday compared to how I wanted to celebrate this one. I also noticed something of a graceful trade between youth and wisdom. I took some time to ponder this and noticed the difference between this year versus the big ‘four oh’.

At 40, I noticed I was somewhat remorseful about the years I would never get back and the youth I would never have again. This year was much more peaceful in the idea that those years behind me were not for nothing.

I’ve seen four decades of human civilisation, accumulated knowledge and experiences, seen many foreign lands and met some of their people.

I’ve also been through multiple careers in various fields. More specifically I’ve created photography businesses from scratch and been through the highs and lows of a full-time professional artist’s career.

I reflect on the early stage when it was all so exciting and the possibilities were endless. I remember how exciting it was and how every day was a new experience and an opportunity to learn, grow and create.

I remember seeking mentors both in business and the craft itself – learning from the wisdom and experience of those who had done it before me.

This notion segues into the final event I wanted to share that has led to my currently inspired space – the interview I shared with two young men who are very much in the afore mentioned early stage of their careers.

Both started professionally last year (2023) and both produce video. Yes, video is different to photography but the two are also like potato, tomato if you get my drift.

I met with Xavier Marello and Zac Shaw at local coffee hotspot Operation Underground (OU). Not only was it an ideal location for a meeting and portraits, but it also happened to be the guys’ initial meeting place as well as the inception of their collaborations.

At just 21 and 22 respectively, they both had significant knowledge and beautiful work for the relative infancy of their careers.

It was easily the least ‘interview’, interview I’ve done—it was much more ‘grab a coffee and talk about creating.’

The exchange was inspiring on many levels, and we also had a ton of laughs.

As we waited for Zac to join us, Xav started telling me the story of the night they first met each other. He pauses:

“Actually, I’ll wait until Zac gets here because he tells it better.”

I noted that this was the type of ‘know your strengths’ attitude that lends perfectly to a collaborative partnership.

I got to hear the story from both sides, and it was both entertaining and insightful to their dynamic.

They separately volunteered to capture an open mic night at OU. Not knowing what to expect of the other, they each had first impressions that the other was much better than themselves.

“In walks the handsomest feller I’ve ever seen in my life with the most you beaut, next gen setup” Zac explains as he tells me his side.

Xav went on to fill in some blanks about how green he was at the time and was grateful for some instruction and guidance especially around getting good motion shots with a gimbal. As it turned out he had just upgraded his gear with the intention to step into videography as a profession.

Zac admitted he had just finished training on how to use the equipment, and from a healthy competition point of view, was glad he had the upper hand on experience. I saw this as another synergy marker for a complimentary team up.

I ask about the partnership dynamic and Xav goes on to say, “technically we’re each other’s competition, but I believe in the motto of ‘surround yourself with people that are better than you or know more than you’”.

They first worked together after this as a collaboration on a personal project of Zac’s and have since done various productions together. Still operating under their own umbrella’s, they hint towards merging businesses or at least having a joint entity as well as their individual work.

They share how watching each other’s work improve is healthy because they’re both proud of the other guy and also gives them an updated benchmark for their own quality of work.

The conversation went straight into camera bodies and lenses and quickly moved onto to the similarities and differences of still photography compared to video. We discussed the huge jump in quality from when I started my career to the present day.

Also of note is the introduction of social media and learning tools such as YouTube and the massive impact they play on the role of a modern creative.

We share a bonding experience when I reveal from my own camera bag another Sony to put on the table next to theirs. I was met with a collective, “Ah yes!”

Later, as we get to the actual portrait section of the meeting, we even swap lenses to try out different looks.

At this point it’s worth noting, on the topic of inspiration, that no longer is there simply a ‘Written by’ tag on the first page of this article. This is the first issue I produced the photography and the story.

The differences and compatibility of their personalities clearly shone through. The dynamic was both complimentary and quite entertaining – a mixed bag of playful quips and clear adoration for each other and their work was refreshing.

Returning to the topic of collaboration Xav shares, “I am most excited and most inspired when I’m working with other creatives.”

Zac continues this sentiment. “There’s definitely a pride to producing work on your own, but when you collaborate you bring in other people and you get to ask the question, what will make the work better?”

I loved the maturity and humbleness these young creatives bring to the table.

Towards the end of our meeting, we discuss how we can work together on some upcoming projects and in that moment, I’m struck by the thought that no matter what stage in life or a career there is always something to be learned from each other. It can always be a back-and-forth transaction if you’re open to it.

The uncanny timing of this months’ significant events combined lead me to a fresh realisation in respects to the concept of youth vs wisdom – each stage of life/career brings a different level of contribution. One is not greater than the other.

I enjoyed so much the revisiting of the fresh, youthful, exciting stages of a creative career and I hope some of my experiences and wisdom made an impact on my two new friends and collaborators!

I think it’s safe to say we all left feeling fresh inspiration.

I wonder how many of you, my beautiful readers, feel the same way? I challenge you this month to reflect on what it is you’re inspired by and what impact that can have on the greater collective.

We are inspired.

I AM INSPIRED.