When I have been at a loss for words, photos and light have often told a greater story than the words I could have assembled to construe my intention. I think of the end result; the aim and point of my intention, and use the colour, absence or presence of light, shape and colour to convey my mood, hopes or dreams. It is power. To use shapes, form and colour in such ways.

I finished school in 2004, and knew that I wanted...no, needed to keep studying. I've always had a passion and thirst for learning, to put my curiosity to use and to help find my purpose. At 17, I decided it would involve digital media, in some aspect or another, and dreamt of creating a business that would assist others through the embodiment of digital arts. TAFE was my first landing spot, spending twelve months enmeshed in a class of students who actually wanted to be in the room. I was inspired to see a wide range of students- not just other school graduates, but women and men in mid and later life, willing to engage in learning and be challenged. I found a mini heaven. During that time, I developed a life long friend who I still enjoy discussing digital media with, albeit our lives took turns we didn't see coming.

One of the great things of living in regional towns, is that you often stumble across the same people you interact with, a decade or two later. Slightly aged, and a few more lines around the eyes, I still see one of my TAFE teachers at one of my work places, and I reminisce of the the grief I must have given him, in my young adulthood, new to the world of independence and dabbling in art. That teacher taught me grace in those years, when I didn't even know I was receiving it. (Here's to teachers who witness and support teens and young adults blooming into the world).

Even though I had elected the exact course and subject to study, to my utter seventeen year old delight, I still could not grasp or fathom the long term impact that taking those classes would have upon me. The impact and influence of having time spent amongst artists and creators has gifted me not only knowledge, but appreciation and a deep seated affection for all artists. Whilst I am a digital creator, focusing on imagery edited through digital means, my education provided me the power of observing joy in other artists. I am not a ceramicists, but I see hand made clay cup, and rejoice in the decisions that went into the formation of that exact cup. I am not a embroiderer, but I feel the power and patience in the time and persistence of the artist to see through their piece of work, hour after hour, thread by thread.

My time at TAFE lead to an award nomination for my creative endeavours, and I followed those studies a few years later with a Bachelor of Graphic Design. My business then bloomed to life in 2011, whilst pregnant with my second daughter. Eklektik, and photography, has been a consistent joy and learning journey, for every year the business has been in existence. That includes the years that have been less productive.

Whilst Eklektik has not morphed into the original business model I dreamt of, I know that it has still touched many people along the way. When I bumped into new acquaintances down the street, and discover that I actually photographed their child five years ago, it warms my heart that my work has persisted and provided kind memories. Photography has the power to do that. I have always invested a piece of myself into producing the best imagery I could at the time, and that is returned to me in the fond memories share with me of their photography session I once held for them.

Today, photographing families, and particularly children is less common that it was for me seven years ago. However, that has only made it more special. It has placed a greater importance upon the quality of the time I am given to spend with a family, to capture that time they have in that very moment. The time of day, the angle of the light, they way hands touch each other.... it all matters, due to the lessons I learnt over twenty years ago. The fundamental basics of contrast, light, picture framing, white space.... all of it. It matters.

In a family photography session, I see the connection of coordinated clothing, the texture of the grasses, the stream of light in the background.... the foreground, background and mid field. It is all art! All opportunity to capture a human moment within natures colours.

With less than two weeks to Christmas, I wish everyone the opportunity to find some light and to capture it, as a gift to themselves. That may be the light of a sunset, on a walk by yourself; light on the hand of an elderly family members hand, the light falling across the first coffee of the day, or even the absence of light in a cool dark room that offers solace after too much socialisation. May that photo give you a piece of time and presence in a busy world, and proof and reflection of all that you are capable of. With that one photo, you hold the power to create.