Ok Nishi

I've just come home after 24 hours in Canberra, my favourite city in the world. I managed to sneak away from Parkes briefly to catch up with my good friend Katie, who is the featured artist in boyandgirlco's exhibiton Anew.

boyandgirlco are in the business of pallet furniture: recycling old pallets and repurposing them for home and business furniture. I met Carlo and Anita yesterday (boy and girl respectively), and it was such a pleasure seeing their work. For them, this isn't just about a business. It's about combining a passion for sustainability with a knack for creativity.

I look forward to one day owning a home and getting these guys to fit it out with their stuff!

Anew is in New Acton, the hippest part of Canberra, at the Nishi Gallery and is running until 31st October.

New Albums, and an exciting offer!

I am insanely excited to announce that Henry Paul Photography now provides wedding albums!!!! And this announcement also comes with a very special offer:

For a limited time only, receive a FREE fine-art wedding album when you book your 2015 wedding.* The album is fully customisable, with various covers and styles to choose - including animal friendly leather :)

These babies are valued at over $300 and will serve as a keepsake in your family home for years to come. Don't pass up this limited time offer.

For bookings, visit www.henrypaul.com.au

*Offer applies to weddings held before 1st January 2016. Offer ends 31st October 2014.

Learning how to Live

Listening to: Vance Joy's new album Dream Your Life Away. Can't get enough of Red Eye.

My studies have started up again, and I have found myself struggling daily to put time aside for it. Although my experience with studying online has been great, these past few days I've been so consumed in everything else going on in my world that I've been putting uni on the back burner.

I like to say that my life's not 'busy', but 'full'. Currently I juggle two part-time jobs, a photography business and university as well as church/youth group commitments and sport activities (yes, you read that correctly - sports). It's a process of learning how to live I suppose. Learning how to commit to things, learning how to prioritise, and especially learning how to say 'no'. I'm not perfect at it, but I try my hardest. It's not even a new process for me either. It's been part of my life since I began high school - juggling homework with shift work at the ice cream shop. I don't know if I'm getting better at it, or just managing to handle more on my plate as I get older.

Yes, having a nice European holiday was relaxing and life-changing, but I am more excited for what's happening right now. I am immensely grateful that I am living in a town where I have the chance to pursue some of my life's goals, and to do it around some of the best people I know. I won't be in Parkes forever, but I am today - and that's what's exciting for me!

Ok, I'd better go do some uni work now.

H

Happy September

In case you haven't been paying attention lately, it's September! My favourite month in the year :) And in fact, it's my brother's birthday today! Happy birthday Josh :)

September marks the beginning of wedding season, warmer weather and my birthday all the while the countdown for Christmas is still too far away to start worrying about those carols.

I thought I'd begin the month with a flashback to something that I promised a couple of months ago (and I really try to keep my promises). So on that note, I'd like to take you on a brief journey across the oceans to a quaint little place called Weymouth.

Renate Jane

By and large, most of my experience in portrait photography is with couples. Whether it’s their wedding day, or an engagement shoot. Sometimes it’s just because they love each other. Very rarely do I get the chance to work on a solo portrait shoot. Thus it was with much enthusiasm, and a little trepidation, that I undertook this artistic shoot with local musician, Renate Jane.

We took off into the bush with my camera, her guitar, and half a wardrobe. I absolutely love photographing outdoors! However, if it’s too sunny it can sometimes be a challenge getting the right lighting. There’s something quite nice about challenging yourself in different lighting conditions. Learning to utilise shadows and highlights effectively is crucial to the end result.

Keep an eye on Renate Jane, she might very well be the next Australian Idol. Oh wait, we don’t have that show anymore, do we?

New Gear and New Friends

It's been an incredibly busy few weeks since arriving home. It feels like only yesterday that I was hopping on the plane to London. Time flies!

I feel as though I've not much to share, as nothing seems to compare with the excitement of my travel blogs. I have, however, spent a large amount of energy revitalising a few things to do with the Henry Paul Photography. I've got some new business cards, which incorporate my new logo. I have also acquired a new wide-angle lens as well as a Gary Fong Lightsphere! I'm just desperate for an opportunity to use them now! I have a session on Saturday, so that might be the time to whip my new gadgets out!

The website is continually being worked on, it's just a bit of a project of mine I guess. But it does help that the bulk of my university assignment focusses on building a website ;)

I'll leave you with some photos of my friends Joe & Emilie with the latest addition to our home, Odie. He's absolutely adorable!