There's been a change in plans....

My first adventure for this year was supposed to be a nature nerd trek out to see the rainbow bee eaters again at Newstead Cemetery. This year, I've decided that it's going to be less actual working, and more working on myself. That is, I will say yes to amazing opportunities, no to things that don't interest or excite me, and will take life by the balls very gently and make it all my own.

With all of that said, I should tell you about the change in my plans. Saturday 18th January, instead of being a little road trip, was a trip to Got Next Studios in Footscray to work with and learn from the amazingly talented Chris Cuffaro. His 50 year career speaks for itself, and the musicians he's worked with throughout the years are a list so long that I can't even express how important his body of work is. Most notably, within my own little music-loving world, is Pearl Jam. His images of the band right in the thick of the Seattle Grunge scene are iconic.

Our schedule for the day was packed. Educational sessions covering everything from pre production and planning, the business of photography, through the actual shoot process, 2 amazing shoots and then into post production, Q&A and fun! I'm heavily into my shoot planning, but haven't done a lot of studio work, so this was really beneficial for me to learn new things, new techniques, and new ways to shape and run my photography business.

To say I was awestruck is an understatement. It was a day full of learning, socialising and getting the rig out to shoot in ways that were new to me, and I loved EVERY SECOND of it.

It's inspired me in such a fundamental way, and I've really thrown myself into music and band photography ever since. I'm loving it and it's changed my whole perspective on what I want to do and what I'm going to do with my photography.

In the words of Chris Cuffaro, it's time to "shut the fuck up and do the work!"