All of it in one

The last minute post

Hello,

Apologies for being MIA the last few weeks. It’s been a hectic mix of shooting for work around the Christmas break, juggling holiday festivities, painting, and sorting things out in the new space.

I was even trying to think of more excuses to delay writing this week’s words, but here I am at 9:15 pm, deciding to write anyway. Initially, I considered a few ideas:

A highlight reel of this year’s photos as a time capsule—always a nice reflection on what I’ve done and learned.

An end-of-year reflection to celebrate personal growth—those always make you feel good about yourself.

A list of what I’ll do in 2025—because who doesn’t love a good “new habits” post, where I claim this will be the year I finally get past two weeks on Duolingo and learn Spanish?

But no, I decided on a combo of all three.

This year has been a mix of amazing and tough, all wrapped into one. It started with me trying to make it as a fine art photographer. I did a series called Aussie Kulture, sold one frame, and decided I’ll likely not do anything similar again. It’s not that I didn’t like them—time reveals all, and in this case, it revealed that the clean, framed, Tyler Shields-style color photos aren’t my thing. Even so, it was worth doing to understand more of what I enjoy.

My partner and I spent part of the year house-sitting and sharing a kind-of rental with friends for eight months before finding this place—which, by the way, I’ve finally finished painting as of today (yay!).

Unexpectedly, I went back to commercial photography. It wasn’t even on my 2024 bingo card, but having a steady freelance job has been great for other parts of my life. Plus, I forgot how much I love the team and some of our incredible clients. My gratitude for that work has increased tenfold.

Portraits have also started gaining momentum (well, we’re setting intentions). Turns out, creating story-based portraiture of people in their own spaces is incredibly rewarding—and challenging—but I love spending that kind of time with people.

That said, I was way too broke far too often this year, living uncomfortably close to week-to-week. Here’s to leaving that behind in 2025. (Also, I need a new laptop. Badly.)

I stopped climbing this year, and I’m probably the most unfit I’ve been in a long time—definitely not bringing that into 2025. (Not a resolution, but I’ve already rejoined the climbing gym.)

I’m incredibly lucky to have my partner in my life. She pushes me to be a better version of myself and has also helped me slow down—a skill I’m unbelievably terrible at.

We also photographed five Airbnbs this year as a way to travel locally and do what we love: capturing beautiful spaces.

My word for 2025 is stillness.

Looking ahead:

I aim to sell all the artwork currently stored at my parents’ house. I’ve sold two framed prints this year, but next year, I’m going all in.

I want to improve my business skills. Creativity comes naturally, but social media and marketing? Not so much. That’s an area for growth.

I want to produce two new series shot on film.

Build up the portrait side of my photography.

Travel to Japan and Vietnam (again) with my partner.

Do an exhibition—but not in Perth.

Travel for a shoot, interstate or overseas.

Meditate daily for the whole year.

Write a small book on photography—not a how-to guide, but something meaningful.

I’m so grateful for my partner, family and amazing friends. If you’re one of the people who read this weekly, know that I adore you and feel so lucky to have you in my life.

Thanks for reading this brain dump, and I’ll see you next year.

Now here’s the recap

That’s all, Happy new year.