InvokeMe Magazine Sept 2021

Vol. 1 Issue 02 | $9.99NZ

ANN KILPATRICK DANNY WOOD RAY HAYWARD DAVE CHIODO ROBERT ROFFMAN SAMIT DHUPER SUE HENLEY

S E P T E M B E R

Issue #002

E D I T I O N

"I dedicate this magazine to the most incredible girl I have ever known.

My daughter."

05 Ann Kilpatrick 13 Danny Wood 21 Ray Hayward 31 Dave Chiodo 39 Carolyn Collins

ISSUE

#2 46 Rina Thompson 53 Samit Dhuper 65 Francis Wilson 76 Sue Henley 83 Yuri Chetty 90 Mandi Webb

THE LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS Welcome to the second edition of InvokeMe Photography's publication InvokeMe Magazine. I was blown away with the great

response we had to the very 1st edition and just how far around the world it has been read! This to me is an indication that we are doing something right and with so many messages of thanks and support from you all it's clear we are on the right path. Our mission is simple: "Help others and make a real difference." Since the last edition we have invested in some gear that we used ito gift memories to some with limited time left on earth through terminal illness and also others in the community of Hokitika, Aotearoa/New Zealand. I would also like to thank the Woodstock Domain for letting us use the building for these community projects. Each edition of InvokeMe Magazine IS making a difference in SO

many ways for SO many! We will continue to provide a clean, easy to read magazine, highlighting photographers without egos and support the community with free photography!

- Ian Moone -

Ann Kilpatrick Aotearoa/NZ

Ann Kilpatrick-Photography and me

Ian has offered me an opportunity to publish some of my work in his new Invokeme Magazine. And, to share my journey in photography. Thank you, Ian, it was great to see your first edition of the magazine and the contributions from members of the photography community. The contribution you personally are making to the wider community is special.

On Friday, November 22, 1963, at 12:30 p.m. CST in Dallas, Texas, President John Kennedy was assassinated. What, you ask, does this event in the last century have to do with photography and me?

That New Zealand summer day was the first day that I consciously photographed (recorded) what my sisters and I were doing as we played outside on the front lawns of our street. I wanted to make some memories so that in the future, we could look back and see what we had we been doing on that eventful day. Why was I aware of the President of the United States at our state house in Otara? It was because just before his death, we had all gone to school one morning wondering if Russia and the States were going to plunge us into war before the end of school that day. Anyway, enough of old memories.

Back to my photography journey. Prior to starting school my twin and I lived in several places that were not our family home, or with our mum. I grew up watching people, listening to the stories they told, the facts and/or opinions varying, according to their environment or audience. After we were in our own place, my mum had borrowed a camera and often photographed my twin and I as we played outside. Like the kids today, we pulled faces, made signs and were silly to stop her bothering us with photos. But a photograph shows that point in time, not an amended version, depending on who is looking.

My first camera was one of those wee plastic ones, I photographed everything. I was often reminded that I should not take too many because developing the film was expensive. As I grew, I met new people and continued to photograph them and what was going on around us. Those photos, memories, become precious with time and changing circumstances.

Long story short, whilst I was always interested in architecture, art, floristry, hairdressing and creative pursuits, I qualified as an accountant and project manager. However, I would take my camera to work if I knew there was to be a protest on at Parliament or something else that should be recorded. Events like; the hikoi for the foreshore and seabed, the service for the unknown warrior, the teachers’ strike, the Radio New Zealand birthday bash. These were events that I thought were likely contributing to our collective history in New Zealand. It seemed important to me that they be recorded.

Around 2015 we bought a DSLR, then, when it was coming close to retirement, I decided to learn how to use a camera properly. I am addicted to learning and still a student photographer at Photospace Gallery. I am grateful for the lessons and mentoring from several people. I have attended various courses and workshops since 2018 and participated in a joint exhibition.

Photography for me, is a way to chill, relax and just be me; to be in the moment, experiment and see what comes out. It is meditative and allows one to forget the world for a while. For me it is important to observe what is happening, document and make memories. For example, following the Kaikoura earthquake in 2016, many buildings in Wellington were damaged, practically fell or were subsequently demolished. It was interesting to me that this could happen without apparently being noticed by many.

It is also important for me to play and experiment with photography and make my personal version of art, putting one or more images and/or textures together.

Either in camera, or afterwards, in Photoshop; to make images that may not be quite what they seem at first glance. To me, photography and playing in photoshop is like colouring in, With a camera in hand, and a walkabout; around our section, the gardens, the waterfront or elsewhere in the city, the local beaches, a party, or wherever I happen to be, is my favorite place and way to be.

I don’t go out without my camera, I go to learn, to see and to practice.

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Danny Wood In the fast lane

Growing up fully immersed in a bogan lifestyle it was no surprise that I would find my passion in motorsport. On weekends our whole family got together to watch my dad and uncle race stock cars, drag cars, or jetboats. I used to walk around with my old film camera taking pictures, excitedly taking them to get developed and waiting a week to see what I had captured. That was how it all started for me at the ripe ole' age of 15.

I invested in my first “real” digital camera 5 years later; an all-in-one Fujifilm beauty and started shooting local events and cars doing hot laps in Wellington CBD on Friday and Saturday nights. I was starting to get a real love for motorsport photography and trying different techniques such as panning to emphasize the speed and movement of the sport. As my skillset continued to develop, I started to outgrow my all in one and upgraded to my 1st Canon DSLR which allowed me to take my photography to the next level. After many bad camera gear choices and lots of learnings over the years, I started taking my photography a lot more seriously approximately 6 years ago.

I started to build a name for myself shooting local events which helped me push my social media influence to take the Danny Wood Photography NZ name to some of the biggest events in NZ and across the ditch.

Some career highlights for me include:

1. being the Official photographer for Choice Events who run several events a year including one of the largest gatherings of Rotary powered vehicles in the world…

Rotary Reunion 2. being the official team shooter for Drew + Jodie Donovan’s D1NZ Pro team 3. shooting exclusively for D1NZ 4. shooting in Australia for several of professional New Zealand drifters as part of the World Drift Battle at World Time Attack.

The people I have met and the teams I have been lucky enough to shoot for in these events have not only created some lifelong friends but also some lifelong memories.

As much as I enjoy photography I also love where it has taken me so far on my journeys.

In 2020, before Covid… a dream came true when I was taken on as the official shooter for NZV8 magazine at Summernats 33 in Canberra, Australia. Before this the biggest event I had shot had around 450 vehicles over 2 days…. SN33 had 2200 vehicles over the 4-day event (the second-highest count in the history of the event!).

The calibre of cars on display was unlike anything I had seen before, it was truly a photographer’s playground… from show cars on display, cruise and dyno sessions, Skid Row to the one everyone’s there for, the Street Machine Burnout Masters. It wasn’t a matter of finding material to photograph but deciding what I wanted to shoot!

I was also lucky enough to be approached by NZ Performance Car magazine to become an official shooter for them, from event coverage to mini features to full 510-page feature shoots including write-ups. As much as I like seeing my images online… call me old-school but there’s something about seeing your images in a hard copy of a magazine. If there’s one magazine I will never forget it will be when my photos of ex D1NZ drift king Darren Kelly's R35 Drift GTR were printed in the Japanese drift magazine “Drift Tengoku” and having a copy sent to me in NZ. It was almost surreal having my photos printed in a magazine from the home of drifting! It's always been on my bucket list to get to the Ebisu in Japan and see where it all began.

If there's one thing that photography has taught me, it is a quality over quantity sort of game, and you need to make your photos stand out from the sea of photographers at events nowadays. Before I was shooting professionally, I use to think putting up albums of 300 images would get me further but now I try to select a chosen few and upload only my best work. Photography for me is all about getting out and not only taking photos but also enjoying the event. Sometimes at events, I might be out in the middle of a racetrack or hiding behind some fencing, sometimes even peaking my lens through a little hole in a wall to try to get the creative juices flowing. This is an awesome way to clear my head of the daily hustle and bustle of being a Senior Traffic Engineer. I enjoy my day-to-day job, but there’s something about photography for me that is calming but at the same time can be revitalizing!

I’ve always watched professional photographers online in all sorts of different genres and one that sticks out for me in the automotive scene is Larry Chen out of Los Angeles.

He shoots massive events like the Race to the Sky, D1GP, the antics of the Hoonigan team just to name afew. When he uploads a behind-the-scenes video you always hear the shutter on the Canon 1DX unloading with photos but when he displays an album there are only a chosen few.

A few years back my wife brought me a framed Larry Chen print of Kiwi Legend Mad Mike Whiddett drifting at Gatebil which I have displayed in our home office. Seeing this each time I sit down to edit the next album inspires me to try to take my photos to that sort of level one day.

After the birth of my son last year, I took a step back from the event scene and have been shooting more local material nowadays, whether its material for local businesses for their social media channels, promotion shoots, or the odd feature car shoot for NZPC/V8. Night photography and delayed shutter images using light to make amazing pictures has always been an area of photography that interested me so recently with the assistance of a good mate Rick I have put time into learning my latest passion in photography… light painting.

This style of photography is very well known to be displayed through the pages of the leading Australian hotrod magazine, Street Machine. Photographers like Ben Hoskings and Jordan Leist are seen to be industry leaders in this field and their work is one of the reasons this style of photography has always interested me. Lightpainting is like setting up a piece of artwork, the initial lighting takes 15-30mins then it's back to the office to put all your work together and show the world what you have created. I like this style of photography as it shows off a client's pride and joy and these photos are like no other.

Photography has played a part in my life for the last 20 odd years and even though nowadays cars and motorsport are not my primary subjects, I still love picking up the camera shooting the odd event/feature car however my camera is getting a good workout capturing the life of my boy growing up way too fast! I know it won't be long before I’m passing on the skills that I’ve learned over the years and share that passion with him… I can't wait for these days!

Ray Hayward "MY HAPPY PLACE"

For about 25 years of clicking the shutter on my camera's photography has and always will be my happy place. A place where I'm completely lost in what I'm doing and often in a world of my own. And during these past couple of years this has definitely been the situation.

My introduction to photography was back in the days of “film” photography, no digital camera's then. It's still a period I miss very much as it pretty much taught me how to be a photographer. And I was blessed to work with and alongside some on the very best NZ sports and action photographers across the country.

Early photographic work saw me working as a freelance photographer and producing mainly sport and action shots for a number of newspapers and magazines. But I did spend time photographing many weddings, family shots, portraits, group & sports teams, events and a variety of other work.

In the mid to late 90's life went in a different direction and I had to scale back the amount of photography I did but I never lost my love for it.

In these later years photography has been a great help in getting me through some pretty trying times. From a business failure to financial lows to a car crash to Covid 19 lockdowns, getting out and about with a camera has been so good for the soul.

There is absolutely nothing better than being one with nature, on you own, soaking up all that peace and tranquility around you.

The car crash that nearly took the life of my wife and I 3 years ago, has been the catalyst for getting back into photography on a much bigger scale. Following the crash there was a lengthy period of rehab but once I had progressed to a level of recovery that meant I could start clicking much more than previously, and I was away. And having the support of my beautiful wife has been really good.

Once upon a time photography was about trying to make as much money as possible but today, while I do sell some of my work and take wedding, family and group photo's much of my drive now is to take pictures of a wide variety of subjects and share them with everyone so they can enjoy what I see and take pics of.

Covid19 has been an issue at times with lockdowns and not being able to get out and about but the upside is that it has broadened the subjects that I now photograph.

Once it was mostly sport and action but today it's anything from flowers to nature to landscape to old & decaying houses & machinery...pretty much everything.

I highly recommend that anyone who is interested in photography take the step and get out and about clicking away...you won't regret it. And remember you don't have to have the flashest camera or gear or cell phone. Anything that takes a picture is all you need and this is my favourite photography quote...''photography is only limited by your imagination''. Remember it's not what others think about your photo's it's what you think that counts.

So nothing feels better than being back in my happy place...photography. There's an expression that goes something like this...”it's about being one with the world”. Well let me assure you this is what photography does for me.

Robert Roffman

Ever since I had my first darkroom experience as a teenager I was amazed at how the pictures I had taken would come to life in the chemicals as I processed them .

My thoughts went toward amazement as a I manipulated what I could in the darkroom of my school.

Fast forward to the work life of an adult that included careers in various high stress, adrenalin producing moments. During what most would consider successful I found myself turning to "other than healthy" means in order to cope with post-traumatic stress and the best and worst that people had to offer in the military and correctional environments. I knew that I would need to find an outlet to recapture the grounding and serenity that alluded me during this work life because numbing myself out wasn't going to work in the long-term.

Part of that journey included my work as a physical therapist for performance horses. In order to achieve a level of success in my work I needed to be in the moment 100% of the time due to working closely with large animals that are in pain and could up-end me in a nano-second. After 11 years and having thousands of interactions with my 4 legged clients I honed the skill of being fully present in that moment which has kept me accident free in a field where some of my peers have been killed or retired early due to injuries. Also the byproduct of working with these magnificent animals brought an amazing amount of peace and serenity back into my world, but I needed to figure out how to maintain this as I headed toward retirement .

After a motorcycle accident in 2018 I decided to use some of the proceeds from the legal case to reinvest in myself and I purchased a full frame Cannon 6D Mark 2 with 3 lenses and some filters and then created the space to learn my new equipment via online and in person instruction prior to the Covid plague that we are in the midst of.

Living in Western North Carolina on the border of Tennessee within the USA I have hundreds of waterfalls, mountains and a lot of exploring to do. Needless to say since I have created the space to develop or should I say reacquaint myself with photography through nature I have found the peace and tranquility I need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and enjoy the next chapter of my life.

Dave Chiodo My name is David Chiodo, and I am an amateur photographer from Melbourne, Australia. I started to get into photography on a bigger level than just my phone, in 2019 when I purchased a mid level APSC DSLR camera for a holiday. Since then my passion has grown, along with my technical skills and ability to find artistic compositions.

My first genre was Landscape Photography but before too long I realised living in a big city that I was surrounded by inspiring architecture. I have also been very heavily inspired by some incredible international photographers from Europe and the UK in the architectural photography genre. When I shoot in the field I am doing so with more of an emphasis on data collection and subjects of interest. Most of my creative process happens in Lightroom and Photoshop where I really enjoy seeing where I can take an image.

I currently shoot with my second camera purchase, a Sony A7R4 and assorted lenses. I love shooting wide at 12 - 24 mm mostly but lately have been going a bit tighter focusing on some minimal architecture elements. Before I got obsessed with photography I was very involved with DJing and producing music in my home studio around 2000 - 2008.

I loved mixing and creating in Logic Pro audio program. Now in photoshop I think of highlights as treble/ high frequencies and shadow/ blacks as bass/ low frequencies. It amazes me the similarities between the audio and visual art forms. I love going out shooting in the field but as previously mentioned, the real fun begins in Lightroom for me.

Once I have made global adjustments to geometry, exposure, contrast and colour it’s in to photoshop to really mix down the final master. Photography can be many things to many people. From portraits of people to large empty chasms in Iceland, photography takes people on some extraordinary journeys. I feel that in photography I have found something that expresses my experiences through my whole life. I feel I will be continuing my journey for many years to come, and look forward to travelling to amazing places in the future. I hope you enjoy my work.

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magazine@invokeme.co.nz

Carolyn Collins I will always regret that I didn’t discover the fabulous world of photography until I was in my mid 60s (10 years ago) and I have to wonder how different my life could have been if only I’d found it earlier or indeed, what other interests I would have now if I had never found it at all.

These days I can not imagine my life without photography. I’m continually browsing photography sites, enthralled with the work of my favourite photographers and constantly discovering new people to follow. When I first became interested and joined a local club, my passion was landscapes but since then it has broadened to include flowers, children, abstracts, ICM, minimalism, etc.

I discovered the thrill of learning about composition, how to use Manual (even though I still don’t understand it and usually use Auto), how important light is, how to use Lightroom to improve on what I’ve captured, and eventually I won awards. After a few years competitions palled and my enjoyment came from being in beautiful surroundings even if they didn’t always yield what I envisaged.

I joined NZ’s only Nature Photography club where our focus is on club field trips - from a few hours to week-long missions, enjoying the company of others with the same interests. Our last fabulous trip was a 5-night voyage on Dusky Sound for 12 club members. We were lucky enough to experience snow on the peaks, sun, calm water, crazy wind-whipped water, overnight rain that produced enchanting waterfalls and mist-shrouded hills. There are still so many areas of NZ that I have never seen and others I’d happily return to many more times.

Photography has helped me cope with some desperately sad times in my life.

It’s been crucial in getting through lockdown…even though we can’t travel… as it’s absorbing, fills in hours and best of all, it’s free. The camera on my new phone means I don’t have to carry my real camera when I go for a walk. I have become so much more aware of everything around since I became a photographer.

There are so many miniature worlds everywhere and I really enjoy recording them. These days I go for “intimate landscapes” rather than “the big picture”.

Having said this, I recently discovered how to take panoramas and stitch them in Lightroom and it’s a real buzz when one turns out well.

I constantly look out at the clouds, especially around sunset. If it looks as though there could be an interesting display of light, I’ll take a trip to the beach or the estuary. Being on the pier or the estuary jetty for a Nor’west sunset is one of nature’s most fantastic gifts. I adore the process of making ICMs at sunset or sunrise …. each one a surprise and thrill.

Through winter I often go to my nearby beach for sunrise. Walking along the dune-top track with my camera is the perfect start to a day. I look out over the sea and up the coast to the mountains at Kaikoura, the only sounds are the waves and the gulls. When I turn around, I can see the buildings of the city centre and beyond to the Southern Alps.

I feel so grateful that I live in such a stunning place and for that time I forget any problems I might have.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have family and friends who think my images are wonderful. Ultimately I make images for my own entertainment but it’s always a bonus if others enjoy them as well.

Just breathe

"We are all on a journey"

Rina - Sjardin - Thompson I fell into photography with no clue i could take a photo, with no plan or ambition…. I simply just fell in love with it… uncountable hours of solitude and aloneness wandering around the farm and local area looking for “something - anything” to photograph….

I was looking for something to connect with…. I was at first taking 500 - 1000 photos every day and i mean EVERY day…. Eventually starting to like what i was “seeing” and connecting with and from here a portfolio of work was developing… I lived too isolated to join a camera club, so isolated we had no wifi nor anyone to teach me….

So essentially i am self taught. So i learned by my mistakes, trial and errors and more errors and more…. Until i got it. Eventually getting wifi to the farm opened a world of viewing potential via Facebook, not just for me to see other works but for others to view mine. It has since become my office, my gallery and my portfolio….

I now work full time as a photographer on the road for 10/11 months of the year following the work. I wont lie. It's hard, gruelling at times, and many hours and days spent alone…. Fortunately i am very comfortable in my aloneness, though just as comfortable with people…. This flexibility has been important in my working life and affords me the ability to connect with people i come into contact with… not just my clients but, property owners, potential clients and anyone else that has helped and contributed to my journey.

Even though this is now how i earn my living i feel there needs to be an element of giving… not everything has to be paid for… so for the two communities that I live in, I do community events and programmes and promotion for free… You will be surprised to find that when you give from a place of willingness how much more comes to you…. I am fortunate to be able to connect almost instantly with my clients which has allowed and paved the way to repeat business….

Why is connection so important??? It’s how you get the best from your clients, it's how you sell your works, it's how I photograph my subjects… there is also a very personal element in this idea of connection… At first I struggled with people on FB implying that we had a personal relationship or speaking in such familiar terms that one would interpret as a closeness in turn implying relationship and connection….

Then I twigged one day that what they were connecting to was me via my work because i was connecting to the subject matter…. A huge lightbulb moment!!!

Certain people who think a certain way can tell where I am in my head and heart by viewing my work which is kinda cool, kinda weird but very powerful and demonstrates how a photo can work and what it can do….

Mountains are my go to ultimate connection for me…. Strong, immovable, tempered by time, weather and circumstance then add in some cloud and light and you have a winner! Cloud, mist and light provide the mood…. And we all connect with mood and emotion….. How has photography helped in my journey????

Its helped me to become who I am, to do what i do, to connect with everything around me, to earn my living…. It IS my journey, it is my life and i know nothing else.

I eat, sleep and breathe photography, slightly obsessed even but I have no off button…. Before I go to sleep at night I'm thinking about the weather for the next day when I wake up im looking for what the weather is doing and if its conducive for photography What do I do to relax….. photograph

"Its never to late to have a go at something new"

Samit Dhuper

I'm Sumit Dhuper a professional commercial and lifestyle photographer based in Pune, India.

Moving from an IT background was not easy but this is the way forward to being an established photographer.

Active in photography since March 2017.

Being a photographer, taste of composition and creative vision is the only source of motivation for me to do more.

Still life photography gives more liberty and control all aspects which are at the top of my favorite list.

I believe all genres are connecting to each other by some means and control on one surely help in another when needed.

I publish all my works under the brand name SPW (Sumit Photo World)

I recently launched my portfolio website:

https://www.sumitphotoworld.com/portfolio

I am also running Photography workshops under SPW Expedition my own venture.

I have all my work on the social media platforms below:

https://www.facebook.com/SumitPhotoWorld

https://www.instagram.com/sumitphotoworld

I feel more alive when I do photography and it makes me a different personality which is a big positive in my life.

Good pictures are always created with feelings and emotions which then travel into hearts through viewer eyes.

I let the client speak first and try gauge what they are seeking from an assignment before I make any commitment.

I am getting some credit from reputed international forums and critics.

But this is a long journey and I am preparing myself to reach the top level.

Some tips for new photographers, LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY TIP > Get low on your knees to get a better perspective frame.

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY TIP > Capture emotions and expression to dd life to portrait.

PHOTO COMPOSITION TIP > Start with the basics and kep it simple. Less is more!

BEGINNER PHOTOGRAPHY TIP> Keep studying about your genres topic and take as many shots as you can.

PHOTO POST PROCESSING TIP > Do lens profile correction and crop the image first to frame it well before applying any touch-up.

GET STARTED WITH CAMERAS AND GEAR > Being Nikon user, I advise to start with D3400 for entry level camera but any will do!

www handprint co nz .

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The Handprint Factory is a family based business that has been supplying screen printed clothing and accessories since 1986, but its beginning was much further back than that.

In Wellington, in 1970, printed tees were just coming into fashion. I started to buy the few that showed some artistic statement that appealed to me. I began to realise the power of an image that could be worn and seen so effectively.

After a bit of travel and seeing a lot of hand painted, dyed and batik work around the world, I began printing and selling original designs on tees in Sydney markets.

Coming back to Wellington and settling down we found ourselves at the beginning of a growing market for screen printed clothing.

Demand for printing other people's designs eventually overtook our own artistic inspiration and we have been busy screen printing for many customers since. We are keeping up with the latest technology and delivering a great range of options for printed clothing and accessories.

We now have 3rd generation clients coming from the various businesses, sports, community and church groups we supply.

We have always conducted business with a social conscience, reflecting our our own upbringing and belief that prices should be fair and affordable. Where we can, we support initiatives and causes with sponsorship and discounted deals.

If you have a group, business, team or idea to promote through the medium of branded clothing contact me , martin@handprints.co.nz We are always ready to take the time to discuss your ideas and work with you for a great result. Check us out at handprint.co.nz

"Our uniforms are lovingly supplied by Handprints and are amazing! Thank you Handprint Print Factory NZ!"

Francis Wilson

Hi, there. My name is Francis Wilson, and I'm from Huddersfield, an old mill town in the north of England, which just so happens to be surrounded by rolling hills of countryside. I've been taking my photography seriously now for about 18 months.

Now when I say seriously, what I actually mean to say is that 18 months ago is when I jumped from using my phone, to buying my first DSLR.

This came about because I was sick of having a creative vision, but then not being able to bring it to fruition with just my mobile phone. Now I say I bought my first camera 18 months ago, but this is not technically true, as I owned a Samsung NX 1100 a number of years prior to this, but I never really progressed out of auto mode, as the exposure triangle was alien to me. To remedy this, I said to my better half, “I’d quite like a camera for my birthday, but this time I'm going to do learn it properly!”

So the 9th of march came by (my birthday), and after much careful deliberation, I finally decided on the purchase of the Nikon D3500, as it seemed to fit my needs and price range perfectly. Unfortunately, the Covid 19 Pandemic began and the government declared a nationwide lockdown, stating that we would be allowed one form of exercise, for one hour per day.

What wasn’t clear though was, whether anyone would be allowed to take their cameras out on their daily exercise routines. I took advantage of this! Now as I was taking my camera out on a daily basis, it quickly became apparent to me that not only was I learning something new everyday, it also allowed me to get some much needed respite from the news & the confines of four walls. It was a tonic for my soul, one which allowed me to grow & develop my shooting skills at an accelerated rate.

If we fast forward 18 months, I can tell you what I have learnt. For the 37 years of my life, prior to buying my first DSLR, I no longer see the world as I once did.

Where once before, I’d see a gate & field, I now see the possibilities of an interesting composition. Previously I would run inside because of the rain, I'm now running outside to try & capture some reflection shots in puddles. And when I'd head in because it was getting dark outside, I'm now reaching for my tripod, to see if I can capture some light trail shots, not to mention a nice sunset.

It’s fair to say that since I bought my camera, the world at times has felt like it’s been turned on it’s head. But one thing has remained constant in all of this though, my passion for photography, particularly landscape. Photography has developed my desire to express how I see the world through my mind.

Photography is a beast, one which I’ll probably never tame, but it’s one which I'm willing to give almost anything to try and do.

So to summarise. 18 months ago, I never thought I'd still have as strong a desire to shoot & edit images as I did when I first started, and in all honesty, I can’t see it ending anytime soon.

I think it’s safe to say, photography has become....’the new norm.’

Cafe Green Door 17 Brougham Street, New Plymouth

06-7599399

Sue Henley

As a child I grew up on a very remote farm in the far North of New Zealand and it was there that I developed a passion for animals and for the outdoors.

I am one of those crazy people who rescues spiders, worms or bumblebees, as long as I can remember I have always loved and been fascinated by creatures of all kinds, I guess this is why I love photographing wildlife and capturing those special moments that the public don’t often get to see.

I was one of those kids who didn’t fit in well, however I did have a strong artistic streak and although I did extremely well in this subject at school somehow I never followed through with a career in this field.

I believe this is why I took up photography, it brings out the artist in me and in each of my images I am always trying to create a picture that tells a story and creates an emotion in the viewer, whether it’s a mother bird feeding her young, a derelict and abandoned house or a dramatic landscape.

I also find back country photography extremely therapeutic and beneficial for the soul, I will happily head off into the mountains with a pack full of camera gear and supplies to last several days, it’s like meditating in another world a million miles away where cell phones, computers, cars, and commercialism don’t exist.

I find a walk with my camera is also very therapeutic after a stressful day at work or when I’m feeling mentally drained. Photographing a bird or a beautiful landscape is somehow so uplifting and rewarding and rather addictive!

KEEPING IT REO RADIO SHOW Image by InvokeMe Photography

10:15-10:45am -Wednesdays 104.4 FM Access Radio Taranaki Te reo mō te hapori Language for the community

Yuri Chetty Model & So Much More!

When I was just a little girl I asked my mother "what will I be? Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?

This is what she said to me: "Que sera sera, whatever will be will be. The future's not ours to see. Que sera sera. What will be will be".

I've always struggled with my image. I was bullied at a very young age. I looked upon others as better than myself and often struggled with jealousy. I've carried these insecurities through with me through my adult life and whilst I still struggle with them on a day to day basis, I have learnt how to cope and how to transform those negative feelings into something positive - My work. 2 years ago I decided to step into the world of modelling, photography, art and fashion to see if I could overcome these insecurities and prove to myself that I was capable of more than I thought.

It's been a learning curve, it's been a remarkable experience and it's been a factor in my life that I can be proud of. More than anything, I wanted to make my mum proud. Sadly, she passed away in May from a neurodegenerative brain disorder. I spent majority of my 20s by her side, working to sustain my life and pushing my boundaries to make something of myself. And whilst life hasn't dealt me with the best set of cards - I have a world of experience from what I have learnt and been through. Being in front of the camera is fairly new to me but behind the camera is something I have worked in for years.

The way components and aspects of different industries and views come together to make an art form is a great hobby of mine and will always be in my life. Modelling is not a career that my family would have wanted me to go into and personally I surprised myself by delving into it. I'm born and raised in South Africa and I have seen a lot in this world that makes me feel grateful and appreciative of the place I live in, the life I lead and the opportunities I have.

My parents lived through apartheid and their lives were limited, and because of this I live my life fully, always curious, always opening new doors and trying new things and never afraid of exploring a new hobby and a new passion. Like my father always says, variety is the spice of life and I believe it to be true.

Every day is a challenge. Every day I wake up and I need to remind myself that I am capable of anything and for most days, that doesn't work. I have my lows and my highs and sometimes it feels as though the lows far outweigh the highs. From the outside, this does not appear to be the case.

From the outside others can see my achievements and my successes and very rarely get a peek into my lows and my personal struggles. We all have it, we all experience it, we all go through it and I think the modelling industry doesn't show the realistic side of life enough. It doesn't show the struggles, the insecurities, the confidence shattering days, and the initial steps that lead up to the successes we accomplish.

From the outside it looks like I know exactly what I'm doing and breezing through life with ease whereas the truth is that I spend day after day anxious about who I am, and terrified on the days leading up a shoot that I will fail. That I'm not pretty enough, not good enough for this, that I will embarrass myself. But you never know what you could accomplish if you don't try.

If you don't give it a go, despite those feelings, you will have lost anyway. It's easier said than done in every regard, but you can say to yourself, I did it. I proved to myself that I could do it and I did. And that's the achievement that matters. Whether that ends up in a magazine or winning awards or comes to fruition, who knows.

Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't.

It's incredible what opportunities lie just around the corner and you will never know what is there unless you try. A photographer once said to me, luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I spend a lot of time saying to myself I'm not good at what I do, it's just luck. But at the end of the day, you make your own luck.

Photographer: Charlotte E. Johnson

Photographer: Charlotte E. Johnson

Photographer: kara woskett

Photographer: kara woskett

Moonlight Healing

: 0275500986

Ph

.

@xtra.co.nz

moonlight healing

Mandi Webb My interest in photography started as a young child, my first camera being a gift from my parents at about 10 years of age - an instamatic with 110mm film. I must have driven my parents nuts being a snap happy child, going through lots of film which they always got developed for me. My interest was encouraged and with my next camera I graduated to 35mm film, which I thought incredibly sophisticated at the time!

Over the years better photographic equipment was developed and when I could I upgraded cameras, but never had anything on the higher end of the scale. My last film camera was a canon with a standard lens and zoom lens. My oldest daughter now has this camera and enjoys the challenge of 35mm photography.

In my early 20’s I took a part-time photography course through the University of Canterbury with Richard (Dick) Poole (sadly now passed away) as the tutor. The course was excellent as was the tutor, and at the same time, I started a job as a receptionist in a professional photographic developing lab. It was these two things combined that really made me become far more discerning in my photographic work, and I learnt an incredible amount.

After a year I moved into hand printing colour photographs – a job I absolutely loved, and I am still learning along the way with the different ways professional photographers like their prints done. This access to a wide variety of subjects and styles was invaluable. By this time the digital age was rapidly making ground and hand printing became a thing of the past, my job became redundant and I moved into retail work until family came along.

I stuck with 35mm for quite some time, being a reluctant later comer to digital photography, but once I took the plunge there was no turning back! I started with a canon digital point and shoot that took great photos, then in 2008 I bought a canon EOS400D with a standard lens and a zoom – a ca,bon copy of my 35mm.

This camera is the one I still have today and, dare I say it! do use my phone for photography also! It’s not a fancy one, but it does have a very good camera.

My main focus over the years has always been nature photography; taking portraits of people is not my forte at all! My happy place is being out in the forest or around lakes and rivers, going on long walks into the back of beyond and after purchasing a sea kayak a couple of years ago, getting out on waterways which has opened up a whole new dimension for photography as has my occupation of being a beekeeper, the bee world is inspirational and amazing. The next focus is macro work when I can get the appropriate lens, but in the meantime I’m coping with what I have.

It is always interesting to see the work of other photographers both amateur and professional and I take my hat off to everyone who will pick up a camera (or phone!) and just give it a go. iI’s the best way to learn and it doesn’t matter if your style is not everyone’s cup of tea. If you like it, then it’s a great shot!

If you’ve read all of this – thank you for taking the time! Everyone’s journey is different and inspiration for photography is taken from all sorts of levels, backgrounds and styles and that is what makes the world of still images absolutely amazing, that single capture of a moment in time.

Thank you for being part of this new journey within the pages of InvokeMe Magazine and for supporting REAL people doing REAL things in the photographic world. I have created this magazine by my own hands, and with a steep learning curve along the way. I want to keep a crisp clean and not over crowded page set up that simply focuses on the story and the art itself not a bunch of glossy ads, colours and "stuff" that magazines use for psychological sales and allurement.

Our focus is not sales, not marketing, not page after page of useless advertisements but keeping a simple platform that focuses on the people in the magazines pages. All funds generated from this magazine go 100% into community projects helping people with photography programs that heal and help people see the world in a new perspective. We currently have the largest reach in New Zealand from my own page and will be happy to use that as a launching pad for photographers to be seen around the world. If you would like to be in the pages of our magazine I invite you to share your images and story with us at magazine@invokeme.co.nz Thank you ALL for being part of this journey with us and we look forward to helping you get published and seeing the magazine grow even further around the world together and shining light into sometime dark places with articles and inspirational stories.

"We keep design costs down & focus on the artists story and images giving the reader a more focused experience and also lowering the readers costs having only a few ads to help fund more projects in the community. We will not promote Camera brands here.

We simply support photographers not corporate giants" -Ian Moone

Thanks to Mary Livingston for proofing the magazine