This is my first non-recipe related post. Apologies if you were hoping for a new recipe. However, I attended this amazing and inspiring workshop on the weekend of the 6th and 7th of this month, and can’t possibly not write about it! Oh, and there are photos!
The workshop was hosted by Luisa Brimble, an amazing Australian photographer, Beth Kirby of Local Milk Blog and Rebekka Seale of Camellia Fiber Company. The calibre and expertise of these three women meant that an opportunity to spend two days with them just couldn’t be missed.
The workshop was held at Glenmore House. A perfect location for such an event, as everywhere we turned there was a moment or object waiting to be shot. The workshop also involved a handful of other women, all talented, creative and inspirational in their own right - Stacey Clark a witty and talented stylist from Perth, the generous Sneh Roy of Cook Republic, and the tasty and photogenic food for the weekend was provided by Hetty McKinnon of Arthur Street Kitchen, Anna Simamora of The Floury Baker and Claire Dickson-Smith.
The workshop focused on photography, blogging, natural dyeing, food and styling. On the first day Rebekka showed us how to dye linen and cotton with natural dyes and served as our in house model for shoots (thank you!). On both days we got to watch styling master Beth in action, as well as gain invaluable advice and experience from Luisa on photography. I got so much out of these two days, and I certainly don’t look at photography or styling in the same way as I did before the workshop. I feel just a little more confident in my abilities, especially in my ability to be creative. Being creative isn't something I would have attributed to myself in the past. However, being around like minded people has had this wonderful way of being an inspiration and catalyst for all the things brewing in the back of my mind.
As I had only bought my camera a couple of days before the workshop, I still had a lot to learn about it. On the first day I used my 14-42mm lens, and felt slightly frustrated about how my photos were turning out. I kept thinking, oh I can figure something out when I’m editing them. Then on the morning of the second day, I used up my first memory card and when I was swapping it over for another, I thought, why not change the lens as well? As soon as I started using my 40-150mm lens, I was suddenly getting some great shots. So now I am kinda kicking myself for persevering with the 14-42mm lens for so long, but everything is a learning process I guess.
Thanks again to everyone who organised and ran the weekend, particularly Luisa, Beth and Rebekka. It was an honour to spend a couple of days with you all, and I hope another chance to spend time taking photos and learn from all of you comes my way again soon.
- day one -
- day two -
Originally Posted September 19, 2014.