happy new year

... well it's not quite the new year yet, but I thought I might just share with you some of my favorite moments rom this crazy and amazing past year!

happy holidays

an evening by the sea

On Friday night, Paul, his older brother Daniel and I decided to take a impromptu trip to the ocean to watch the sunset. We decided to go and explore a little place called Point. Addis because of the amazing views of the Great Ocean Road and the quiet sandy beach. 

We left in a flurry, hoping to catch the sun before it dipped down behind the steep cliffs of the Australian Coastline. The sky was golden, with rays of sunshine seeping through the trees and bathing the fields of farmland in glorious light. The air was cool, shocking my face as we drove slow around bendy roads with the windows down. The fresh smell of grass leaked into the car and we sang to our favourite songs, piercing the silence of the country for just a second. 

When we arrived, the sun was a burnt orange glow just peeking over the cliffs. We quickly got out of the car and started exploring, breathing in the fresh salty air and feeling at peace with the world. Daniel took panoramic photos with his camera while Paul and I chased moths along the boardwalks and admired the beautiful gradient of the sky. 

We walked down the steep steps to run along the sandy beach. We stood on the edge of the water, the lukewarm liquid tickling our toes every so often. People were fishing and swimming topless and the moon was high in the nights sky, illuminating us. Paul buried his feet in the sand while I danced and twirled in the water. 

We stood up on the railings, taking in the scenery. I felt content with my life, at ease and totally oblivious to the rest of the world. I was in this moment, wholly and fully. I felt infinite in every way and my happiness extended from my smile to the tips of my fingers. 

Hope you all have a wonderful and merry Christmas with those who love you most. I'll have some Christmassy photos to share with you all on boxing day.

*All photos taken and edited with my Iphone 5 and VSCO Cam

walls, stations and procrastination

 A Sudden Gust of Wind (after Hokusai) 1993
transparency in light box, unique state
250 x 397

I went to Jeff Wall's exhibition at the NGV on Thursday afternoon. It was pouring rain after a day of muggy heat, sweat and headaches. It was half an hour before the gallery closed so I swiftly walked around the exhibition, being immersed in the photographer's work. 

I got into...

... to study fine arts photography next year in 2013!

I'm honestly so relieved to have this news. It means now I don't need to worry about my ATAR score next week or changing my preferences. I'm so excited to begin the process of transitioning to university and studying something I absolutely love and have a passion for!

Thank you to everyone for the support you gave me before and after my interviewing process. I was a little nervous and wasn't sure I was going to get in, but keeping your fingers crossed for me really helped out!

Wanderers

 Back in the September school holidays two of my lovely friends came down from Wangaratta to spend the day with me, wandering around the streets of Melbourne in aid of a little experiment and photo shoot.

Adulthood

About a week ago I turned eighteen and an adult in the society's opinion. It's an odd feeling having all those barriers associated with being underage being dropped just like that. I don't feel any different so why does being on Earth just one more day make me eligible for all the things that have been denied to me this year because of my age rather than my maturity?

Vibrance in my Wonderland

Life Lately

1. Procrastination at Southbank before my interview at VCA
2. My photography portfolio
3. Starbucks to keep me awake
4. Beautiful weather from a family weekend away
5. Editing fashion photos all day in bed (the only place one should edit photos)
6. Sitting in on Paul's cooking class at William Angliss. The food I got to taste was amazing.

SHC Fashion Show

 Last month, before I graduated, I was lucky enough to be asked to photograph at my school's fashion show. The event was organised to raise money for the recently restored chapel and new library. Featured, was some of the AMAZING work by some of my ex school-girls in their Studio Arts Fashion subject this year. I honestly admire anyone who can design, sew and creating amazing garments as I struggle using a sewing machine. I thought I'd share their talents with you all!

Baby Isla

All the way back in September, I was honoured with taking photos of little baby Isla who was just one month old. She was such a smart little one, crying unless her mother bribed her with milk in between shots. In the end I literally thought she was just thinking in her head, ‘fine, if you want me to pose I will, but only for a minute, so that I can go home!’ 

Graduated

The two days I've been looking forward to most this year, have come and gone like the past 18 years of my life. Very, very fast. The two days were a whirlwind of emotion, relief, utter exhaustion and happiness. I spent the time reflecting on my life at the school I graduated from, and the one I left back in the country in year 9. I received beautiful messages from best friends and strangers wishing me luck, some of which, brought me to tears.

Sven, from Malta

A timid little person approached me while I was photographing with friends in Hosier Lane, in Melbourne, a couple of weeks ago. He politely asked me what I was doing. I asked him if I could take his photo and he replied saying, only if I can pose for you. He told me he was from Malta but had lived in St Kilda for some ten years. His accent was strong and thick but with a unwavering sense of unease in his throat. He smiled, greatly into the camera, his smile making his cheeks bunch up around his eyes, skin crinkling from years of laughing in his home country. I told him how I thought he looked lovely and he said that he liked my dress a lot. I told him to relax, and feel comfortable infront of the camera. I told him to think about his family in Malta and how much he misses him. He told me about how they gathered around a big wooden table each night to share a meal with three generations, and I hoped that one day I could cook a meal for that many people and be completely surrounded by my family. He thanked me for taking his photo, we shook hands and parted without anything more than a name and a small memory in time. 

Some people are truly beautiful.

Week Five

I love eyes. Happy eyes, weeping eyes, eyes crinkled with laughter, emotions conveyed through eyes. When I was in Melbourne on Tuesday, last week, my boyfriend's brother came down and took a couple of pictures of us, together as friends. It was while we were making moustaches with our hair and fingertips that I realised how long I had felt as happy as I did that day. I had missed both of my friends, who live in the country, and it was nice being with them both again. It still feels like we're at high school together, giggling at lunchtime over green apples and paddle pops. I often wonder what it would be like if I didn't move to the city. It was while we were laughing at ourselves, I noticed Molly's eyes. They had a clarity that I had rarely seen before, almost translucent, like I could peer into the depth of her soul. It was a comforting feeling, an open feeling. I could see my reflection in her eyes, crystal clear as a mirror. It was like a little me was staring back, peering out of her eyelids, asking me all the questions I didn't want to hear. I snapped a picture before the moment passed.

Spring

I love springtime. It almost seems like everything is on the cusp of summer, longing for the warmer weather to come. I love the beautiful flowers, opening their buds to the bright light and the endless amounts of lovesick couples, picnicking in the gardens of Melbourne. My favourite aspect of spring, however, is those summery days that mother nature almost tantalizes us with. The prospects of late night camp outs, eating breakfast on front porches, summer storms and the sepia nostalgia I associate with the change in weather excite me from the tips of my toes to the very ends of my hair. I've had a lovely two week holiday, bathing in the sun, reading in the sun, eating ice cream in the sun, being outside in general. These are just a few snapshots of the last couple of weeks and my adventures with friends.

Blake

Hello! I'm sorry I've been a bit quiet these holidays but I've been super busy with photo shoots and editing those photos that I just haven't really been able to finish anything completely to show you. So over the next week I'll be slowly updating my blog with my holiday adventures (the last one before high school ends?!)

Week Two

Sorry for not posting last week! It seems as if the rest of this year is slipping through the cracks between my fingers faster than water. 14 days until I finish high school? Crazy!

Gratitude

I'm not always a happy person. In fact, for most of this year, I've been rather a sad person. My year 12 'adventure', if you could call it that, has felt like one huge, big, dark tunnel with absolutely no light at the end. It's been a year of frustration, and questioning contradictions and things that just don't make sense about the education system, society's expectations and my own expectations.

Week One

After much deliberation, I've decided to embark on a 52 week self portrait project in hopes to learn more about myself and appreciate myself more. I've wanted to do this project since mid 2010, when I discovered Lauren's stunning self portraits and photos of her sister.

Antics

Caitlin

Graphics

The Secret To Success

I live my life by a series of quotes by famous writers. Today, across my internet travels, I found this quote and I thought it was too relevant not to share. I will soon be starting a new chapter of my life. I have such a positive feeling about what the future has in store for me. Everything of late, seems to be falling into place perfectly, and I can only hope that it stays that way after months of disappointment and bitterness. This quote sums up the attitude I take towards working as a photographer and trying to make my name in an industry that often depends on luck and who you know. Each day, I do something small towards photography in the hope that one day soon it will pay off and slowly, but surely, it has been.

I'm sorry I've been quiet across the week. My camera, which I share with my father, has been interstate for a week while he visited his sister so I haven't been able to take any more photos to share. I really do need my own camera but finding the money is always challenging. I need a sponsor!

Nostalgia

Nostalgia is a funny thing. Having traveled most of my life, I'm often finding myself reminiscing about the past, about my life before I moved. I wonder what I would be like if I had of stayed there, who my friends would be, what I would be interested in. Sometimes, I think I would be an entirely different person. I've felt like a bit of a traveling gypsy, seeing parts of Australia that most people haven't, all before the age of ten. I loved moving houses and towns. Renting was like a holiday to me, a temporary home, rather than somewhere to settle. Moving schools was never a problem, merely an excuse for me to make more friends, learn new things and experience different kinds of educations.

Nathaniel

Niceties: Interview

The Walkers

An Ode To Summer

I don't normally share things that inspire me, but this might be the first post of many to come. I'm a blog addict and Andrew & Carissa, a film maker and photographer, always produce such beautiful work, this video is no exception. They have a talent for bringing the feelings associated with memories gone by, back out into the open.

Sydney, Part Three

Melancholy laced my feelings, waking up late on the Tuesday morning. Packing was slow, unsatisfying and downed my mood. It was a reminder that nothing was permanent, that these good times weren't to last. Twenty-five kilos of clothing and unnecessary items weighed me down, a heavy backpack straining my body as we walked. We checked out of our hotel, homeless. It was 10am and our flight wasn't for another twelve hours. Twelve hours of walking on my already sore feet, twelve hours of back and neck pain. Twelve hours of sightseeing with the knowledge that sooner than I'd like, we'd be back home.

We caught a ferry to Manly. I admired the opera house and Circular Quay (I do pronounce 'quay' as literally, 'qway'). It was a hive of activity, tourists blocking the wide paths, babies crying, buskers trying to make ends meat. It was a beautiful sight, the noise and the fresh breeze, licking the salt off the ocean. The ferry ride was rough. The swell of the ocean made m feel disoriented, dizzy. Across from me sat a man my mother's age with a disability. He pointed out everything, exclaiming, excited at the tiniest of things. He chattered loud while listening to his even louder music on his ipod.

Manly was warm, but colder. The wind pierced my skin, violent goosebumps appeared all over my arms and legs. We followed the sea of tourists down the path and to the front beach where the whole of Manly seemed to have flocked to. We took a seat at an expensive looking cafe and ordered fish and chips, munching on our meals in the sunlight that we knew wasn't going to last once we returned home. I watched two women eating across from us, gossiping, eating slowly and watching their figures. My own lunch was huge compared to there's and I felt a little self conscious, even if it was only salad. A Ben & Jerry's shop was on the corner just down from where we had lunch and I reluctantly convinced mum to buy ice cream there and we walked along the beach, licking lemon gelato. The atmosphere at the beach was calming. Children were playing soccer on the side walk while their mother's chatted on the benches aligning it. Sun bathers and tourists a like played on the beach and young surfer boys inhabited the waves, showing off to the groups of girls laughing and gossiping on the steps. The light shone through the trees, dappling the footpath with light. I almost believed it was summer. It must be summer all year at Manly. The atmosphere reminded me of Torquay, a beach town close to my home. Manly was bigger, more expensive and nicer, but the people were the same.

The ferry ride back to Sydney was the most memorable part of the day. Before we left the dock, a flock of seagulls hovered over our heads, squawking and creating a spectacle for the tourists. My brother and I sad out the front of the boat, hoping the fresh air would help our sea-sickness. I put my headphones in, blocking out the foreign languages floating in the air around me. Calm melodies drowned out my thoughts and the mellow lyrics created the perfect mood as we crashed over the swells of the sea. I took photos and film while we sailed past the land, boats and little villages, filling my self up for inspiration. I knew then that I really didn't want to leave. I didn't want to go back to my life. We spent the afternoon shopping for loved ones at home at the QVB, longing to buy everything in the eclectic stores on the top floor. My brother found a new home in the hobby shop, surrounding himself with star wars characters, paper models of the titanic and miniature figurines. I left my heart in a shop stuffed with leather bound journals, elegant ink pens and little trinkets, owned by a lovely man who collected vintage pocket watches and kept a mini silver fridge next to his desk just for a 'treat' when he got bored.

We retreated to the airport when the shops closed and the business people left their desks. We were tired, our feet aching. I admired a man with a pony tail who was drawing a father and son in his notebook on the train home and thought to myself about how much I'd like to know him. We collected our things from the hotel and I quietly said goodbye to the street we had been staying on. It was a place that provided for a lot of entertainment. It was fun, dangerous, and nothing like I'd ever be exposed before. I was going to miss it. We sat at the waiting area for our terminal, watching other people and their flights come and go. I saw emotional goodbyes, angry goodbyes, fond farewells and heartwarming reunions. I thought about how lucky I was not saying goodbye to anyone. Two young lovers, possibly my age, were sobbing goodbye to each other. Holding onto one another until the very last minute. I wish I could have comforted the girl who was staying behind, it looked like she needed a friend.

Soon enough we were up in the air again. The excitement was still pulsing through me but I was sleepy and unaware of everything around me. As we flew home, I watched through the window, guessing the towns that we passed and admiring the beaming lights and how they could be seen from so high up. My brother and I joked about the picture cards with emergency procedures on it while my mother slept through the flight. We arrived home after midnight, exhausted from our day, from the adventure and excitement of everything. We were on auto pilot, and collapsed into our beds, awaking late in the day.