Pictures for Presents

I've figured out something really nice. Lately there's been a few friends birthdays and I suck at buying presents, but I thought of a great solution. Why not put my camera gear to good use? I've found making promotional or sentimental videos and birthday photo shoots can make a really special and thoughtful gift. Only danger? It can take a lot more time than you think. For me the editing process, especially video, is a bit of a love hate relationship. It frustrates me like crazy, but yet there's something therapeutic about it. You can get lost in it for hours.

Here some work from two dear friends' projects. The first is a video for the very talented Annabelle Gordon. She makes beautiful, whimsical paper-cut artworks. They really have this magic about them.

The second is a shoot and video for my friend Larissa. She's a first time mum and started up a monthly get together support group for fellow mums and bubs called Teeny Greenies. Working with babies was a whole new challenge. Getting them to look at you is tough. At one point I had about four babies all crawling over me trying to grab the camera. I guess it made an appealing "click" noise, plus it's shiny!

Seriously though. Videos and photos, they can make people very happy. It's a gift I'm happy to be able to give.



To see more of Annabelle's work visit https://www.facebook.com/AnnabelleGordonPaperCuts?fref=ts

Photographer under attack!

Those eyes

Teeny Greenies. Visit https://www.facebook.com/TeenyGreenies?fref=ts

Peru Published on The Inertia!

I always get super excited seeing my work on The Inertia. Here's my latest piece on working life in Northern Peru. This was a tricky one for me. Sometimes ethically I have a hard time knowing what to write about, and what to leave out for fear of hurting people or rocking the boat. But at the end of the day I just want to share stories.

So please check it out and tell me what you think :)

http://www.theinertia.com/surf/northern-love-tales-of-peru/

Here are some more behind the scenes photographs from the story

Flying in Kauai

Hands down the best way to do a surf check. When flying lowing enough you can actually see the little surfers on their tiny boards clear as day. Yesterday I was lucky enough to be brought along on a scenic flight in Kauai, Hawaii.

Our plane was a little six seater and I got to ride as co-pilot. Last time I co-piloted I actually flew the plane, but this time the closest I came was accidentally bumping the controls while trying to take photos. Flying in Kauai is pretty treacherous though, with tons of mountains and thermal air pockets making for a bumpy ride. For the last half hour I was a miserable motion sick mess, 10 more minutes and I would have thrown up for sure!

I had NO idea what lies in the interior of Kauai, and it was SO cool. Hundreds of untouched, unreachable waterfalls, pristine canyons, valleys, rivers and craters. It was unlike anything I've ever seen. We even flew right over the wettest place on the earth - Mount Waialeale. Then to top it all of we even got to see whales jumping from the air. I don't think my stomach would allow me to do it again, but it was still an unreal experience. I've now decided the best way to check the surf is by air. Someone get me a plane and a pilot!!!

Hanalei Bay surf check

Well hello there baby hellicopter!

Poipu from the air.

Hidden interior waterfall. 

Flying anyone?

The beautiful Napali coastline.