“Island Window”
This image means a lot to me. The first few days of my trip I was struggling to see the beauty everyone was speaking about. All the landscapes felt similar and the day to day life way too familiar to what I knew at home In Australia. I was worried that this collection would not happen and that I had been over ambitious in even thinking I could pull something like this off.
The day I shot this image everything changed - Everything became surrounded in beauty and grace the days after falling victim to a few nasty reef cuts and beatings from the ocean. It was a reminder of how limited the time was I had there. Something I needed to pull me out of the slump I was in and as I looked back at the islands surrounded in blue I shot the wave crystallized as an “Island Window” seeing Tahiti from behind the barrel of a crashing wave
“The Fable Man”
This image is of an indigenous man. One with stories to share for generations to come. Upon meeting him I quickly realized he was a man with a gentle heart and incredibly thick skin. We met Aïto, on the beach near his home. We sat with him as he told us the tales behind his tattoos, singing traditional songs he played to the tune of an old guitar, while the sun set in the distance I asked him if I could take a photograph with him. He was hesitant at first but was soon convinced as we became more comfortable together.
We walked along the waters edge and he explained that he wanted these images, his stories and traditions to be shared with as many people as possible. He came across as a person blinded by the changing world around him, by choice that is. A man more content and happy than most I have ever met. “The Fable man” and a new friend.
My new camera… lately I’ve been feeling super disconnected from my photography, seeing so many people using prompts and ai tools to create images that get more love than ones that are real - I bought this film camera today and am incredibly excited to deep dive into shooting more of the real moments that made me fall in love with photography all those years ago.
If you know how to use it the DMs are open.
We met in a sacred cave.
After hiking all morning we came across a place of worship. Upon entering, This Lama allowed me to take his photograph and walk through the holy place with him. Pointing out meanings to marks on the wall and their significance.
A truely special place.
An excerpt of a draft found in our photo book...
“After a few long days in the Himalayas, Skah told me that he had heard about a nomadic family that lived just a few hours outside of the village we were staying at.
With the guidance of a new local mate of ours we head out in search of the family. Getting lost along the way was half the fun. Seeing the Chinese boarders in the distance and rolling hills as far as the eye can see was truly breathtaking.
As we got higher up into the mountains their tent revealed itself and we were welcomed in to share a meal. Dried Yak, some tea and sweet military cookies.
The kindness and generosity of complete strangers never failed to amaze me”
