Water and women will save you
It’s been six months since I launched my website and print shop and opened up the possibility of writing on this blog. While life has clearly interrupted my blog intent, my daily morning ocean swim is non-negotiable, a way to make days more meaningful and joyous, and an antidote to all the grim global happenings.
Those who follow @snappylapper will know that along the way some excellent things have also occurred.
In October, a portrait I took of my artist friend Gillian Bencke at Newcastle Ocean Baths was named as the inaugural photographic winner of the 2025 National Emerging Art Prize (NEAP), spearheaded by Michael Reid Gallery, Belle and Morgan Financial. A day later, a photograph I took at Newcastle Ocean Baths was a finalist in the Newcastle Club Art Foundation Prize and won a prize category. If it doesn’t rain, it can actually pour.
After five years of slowly building my photography skills, mostly in the water, the NEAP win (and NCAFP boost) gave me the financial means and above all the confidence to invest in some equipment and sent me on a deeper dive into underwater photography.
As luck would have it, I knew someone to take my new gear on a test run with - professional photographer and mermaid Hilda Bezuidenhout, who owns Dip Studio, a purpose-built pool for photography on the outskirts of Newcastle. Hilda kindly ran me through the basics and it was absolutely pivotal in giving me the enthusiasm and confidence to move forward (important when you’re an excellent ditherer and procrastinator).
Once I got over my fear of drowning my camera, I gathered with some close female swim friends to see where creative play might lead us.
My photography has always been female-centric: firstly because I swim daily and most of my swim crew are women; secondly because artistically I find the female form more graceful and aesthetically appealing; and thirdly, as a primary carer I’m intensely grateful to the network of women who help me, especially my mum and two sisters.
Women, just like water, have been my lifelong saviours and lifters.
Over the course of two creative ocean plays with these swim friends I learnt many things by trial and error and was consumed by the whole process.
When I was apologetically thanking them for their time, knowing many of them juggle so much, one of them turned and said, “I don’t care about the photos, I just love hanging with you girls”.
Which leads me to last month, when I hired a (female) babysitter and roped in some dear (female) friends to care for my boys so I could attend a photography workshop with the uber talented @leantimms.
I learnt a lot from open-hearted Lean and met an incredible bunch of passionate photographers who were, you guessed it, predominantly women.
Days later, inspired and with ideas running through my head, I sent out an email to some of these women asking for some tips about maybe setting up a photographic venture.
One (hello there @annecooperphotography) sent me a very long email (how she managed this communication feat when she has six children I will never know) and shared excellent practical advice - and a touching endorsement: “Believe in yourself as you are an amazing artist who is shedding her old artist skin (words) and growing your new artist skin (images).”
Rediscovering photography, a lifelong passion which I have always dabbled in but never indulged, has filled a creative void that opened when I left journalism after 33 years for a corporate role a couple of years ago. Since then I’ve been hooked on creating images that I am personally proud of, and there is so much more I want to explore and create.
My new friend Anne’s words helped me realise that I wasn’t stuck in that flux rip anymore (of course, there are other rips, but it’s nice to exit at least one).
And that combining my three favourite things - photography, the ocean and women - made sense.
I’m excited to now be chipping away at my new environment portrait business.
I’m taking commissions for seaside and underwater portrait photography sessions in and around Newcastle, NSW (I can also possibly travel a little further afield).
Here’s what you need to know.
I can only accept one or two commissions each month because my time is limited (I know I’m not alone there). It’s first in, best dressed.
If you’re feeling self-conscious about being photographed, please don’t fret. After birthing two boys and enduring a few icky operations in recent years with the scars to prove it, it’s my firm view that simply having a healthy body which allows us to live each day is a blessing. You can swim with or without togs and choose how you’d like to be photographed. If you choose simply to be seaside without swimming, that’s totally fine too.
We’ll create images that you’ll probably want to frame and hang in your home. My first clients have done just that. (I can assist you with printing and framing advice)
Fun and joy is the absolute goal and I am happy to work with you if you have clear ideas on the photographs we make, or steer you gently in a creative direction
Women are my core client focus, however you are welcome to bring your bestie/s or partner to be photographed with you. Whether you are solo or with someone dear to you, it’s an experience that will be special
So, there it all is. If you or someone you know would love a creative shoot, DM me on @snappylapper for details.
It’s time to sign off and try and get excited about cooking dinner for two hungry boys….oh wait, just ducking down to watch the swell…It’s going to be MASSIVE tomorrow … stay safe, salty folk.
Penny x
