An interview with Bluedog Tutor and Photographer Sheryn Ellis

And we continue questioning of our tutors, this time Sheryn Ellis based on the Gold Coast who also runs Live in Love Photography a successful portrait photography business. She's a quiet achiever; every day she shoots something and makes a great image; she's a one click at a time girl; always trying out new things.

Q. Tell us briefly your photography journey to date.

A. I've loved photography for as long as I can remember. I'd sit and look through books and photo albums for hours - I still do. I didn't start to learn photography until I was about 19 when I got my hands on a Canon SLR film camera and just started shooting anything and everything around me. Having 3 children under 3 gave me endless photography opportunities and I quickly discovered I loved portraiture above all else. I continued to learn and 'play' during my 8 years as a stay-at-home-mum and when my youngest went to school I went into  photography full time, working for Bluedog and building my own portraiture business on the side. I never thought I would be any good at teaching, let alone enjoy (love) it like I do and I never tire of the 'lightbulb' moments I am able to share with people.

Q. What inspires you photographically?
A. Too many photographers to name them all however my top 2 would be; Annie Leibovitz, an amazing woman who has achieved so much and her portraiture is both raw and captivating; and Dorothea Lange who's images I can look at day after day and still feel the same as I did the first time I saw them.  My mum inspires me to be all that I want to be in life and it is wonderful to have that constant support and push to achieve what I want to do.

Q. What is a highlight of 2012?

A. There are many. Photographically it would be the purchase of my new camera with the 100mm macro lens which happened in August - it was a huge purchase and not one made lightly. Also two trips this year stand out as having impact on my life; Cambodia in June/July and a holiday with a best friend and all our children in September. I love to be around my friends and family as much as possible, they are who keep me going as I juggle my crazy busy life.

Q. Do you have a ‘most memorable’ moment to date?

A. No, I have many moments that have shaped who I am and that stand out as moments never to be forgotten or changed. The most memorable moments always happen when you least expect them.

Q. What lens can’t you live without?
A. At the moment I can't live without my 100mm 2.8L Macro - I use it for everything!

Q. What is your favourite type of shoot and why?

A. I love photographing children above all else, I love to capture their funny faces, their serious faces, their laughing faces, their hands, their toes and everything about them. I believe today is the best day to capture that expression, that chipped tooth, that black eye, that first lost tooth, that first broken bone - they don't have to be all dressed up and on their best behaviour, children are children and we should capture every possible moment of their lives.

Q. What do you do in your spare time?
A. What spare time? I love to pick up the camera and shoot random life moments, I love to hang out with my family and friends, I love to read and on a rainy day there is nothing better than a good movie and a glass of red!

Q. Your best photography advice or quick tip?
A. Never stop learning. Pick up your camera every day if you can and shoot the most boring item in your house and make it look interesting. Learn my mantra; f8 is great :) 

Q. Plans/highlights for 2013?

A. My biggest plan for 2013 is to not have a plan. I have so many ideas on who I want to photograph and how and a list of places I want to visit so I've written them all in a book and intend on ticking off as many as possible - 2013 will be great (say and believe it)!

For more information on Bluedog's workshops, retreat and tours visit:
www.blue-dog.com.au

For more information on Sheryn please visit Live in Love Photography 

 

Sheryn playing with some time lapse this year.