When did it start and how has your journey as a photographer evolved over the years?

I started photography at the beginning of 2021 when I bought my first camera. The reason I purchased a camera was that my partner was starting a fitness brand, and I thought it would be a good idea to help her by creating content for her and her brand. Over that year, I learned the basics of photography, including camera settings.

In 2022, I moved to Australia and gained my first work experience as a photographer. I began by shooting weddings, starting with two weddings for free. For the third wedding, I was offered the opportunity to second shoot. Following that, due to the post-COVID demand, there was a significant amount of work available for photographers. I worked as a second photographer for about six months before being offered a position as a lead photographer. This led to a massive snowball effect, and I transitioned to full-time photography after six months.

While I was working at a bar washing dishes, I also took on simple bar jobs and did Uber Eats for the first six months. In August of 2021, I created my first YouTube channel and made a photography video without any photos, as I was still very new to the field. I began posting consistent videos at the start of 2022, which enabled me to grow my photography knowledge. If I wanted to discuss a topic, I had to learn it first, practice it, and then share it. This strategy worked out well for me.

What first inspired you to combine your passions for travel and photography?

I have to be honest; I don't enjoy traveling as much anymore. Where I live right now is such a beautiful place, and I feel very comfortable at home. However, I often get an itch after about three months to step out of my comfort zone and photograph other people's lifestyles. Photography, for me, captures how people interact with various elements and their lifestyle.

In terms of inspiration, I find myself drawn to unusual things that may not be typical Instagram “Bangers”, but rather random elements that look good in a photograph due to their lighting and color. I enjoy piecing together these elements to create a compelling composition that prompts viewers to question why someone would take a photo of that.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a travel photographer?

The two largest challenges I face as a travel photographer are producing my best work and managing my finances. To create my best photos, I often need to go out alone. My best photos have not come from spending time with friends, family, or my girlfriend. Learning how to travel with someone while also finding time to break away and do my own thing for two to three hours is essential for me.

Financial considerations also play a significant role. Traveling can be expensive, and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to go overseas to shoot weddings. I also receive financial support through my YouTube channel. Traveling to a location for a wedding and then using the extra days to create content for my YouTube channel has been a tremendous help financially. I am currently in a very good stage in my life and career.

What’s a lesson you’ve learned about yourself through photography and travel?

What lessons can be learned? One of the biggest lessons is the importance of having a solid location, which can be found on Google Maps. When I refer to a solid location, I typically mean a more trendy photography spot or a popular area. I also look in the opposite direction to find unique perspectives.

Having a good understanding of where a suitable location is, studying the light, and knowing what time of day to be there are crucial. Additionally, I focus on doing my own thing and try not to plan too much, as that is when I have found my best photos.

What gear do you rely on the most when you’re traveling and why?

In terms of gear, it is a challenging topic for me because I am continuously testing new equipment for my YouTube channel. Unfortunately, having good SEO in a few of my videos each year drives significant traffic to my channel, making it a major priority in my strategy. However, for travel photography, gear does not truly matter. For instance, when I went to Brazil, I used a seven-year-old Fujifilm camera with what was likely the worst lens, yet I produced some of my best work.

The discussion around gear is becoming mundane and increasingly irrelevant. I believe that newer photographers, and something I wish I had done myself, should focus less on spending money on gear and more on investing in their photos. This could mean spending extra money on a trip or, for portrait photographers, setting up a studio shoot to develop a creative concept instead of purchasing a fast lens just to blur the background.

For me, gear is not a priority as long as I have a wide, medium, and tight focal length that is relatively small and compact. I typically shoot all my images at f/8, so autofocus and sharpness are not major concerns. My main priorities are having my focal lengths covered and ensuring decent resolution. Additionally, I have to consider the conditions, as I am going to Japan in winter where melting snow can lead to water entering the camera. Therefore, having a ceiling for protection is also an important factor.

If I had to choose based on ease of use, I would opt for Sony and use a 24 to 70mm lens and possibly a 70 to 200mm lens. For street photography or when I'm at the beach, where people may not want to see a photographer with a large camera and big lens, I would prefer a compact camera like the Richo GR3X, or a Fujifilm X100V. I would choose something that looks a bit retro and old, as it makes people feel less on edge. This way, they are less likely to ask what I am photographing, especially when using a long lens that can intimidate many individuals.

How do you balance capturing moments for yourself versus creating content for an audience?

When I capture moments for myself, I use my iPhone. It is easy, and the photos go straight to iCloud. I do not care about having artistic photos; they are just moments and memories of my girlfriend and family. I do not edit these photos.

When I capture content for my audience, it is the complete opposite. I want everything to look artistic and intentional. I take my time and enjoy editing these photos. For my personal work, I prefer not to edit my photos.

I believe many wedding photographers carry a small Fujifilm camera when they travel because they do not want to edit their personal photos. So, I use my iPhone for personal moments, and for audience content, I shoot in RAW and do all the editing. I also like to display these photos on my wall, so I want decent quality.

What do you hope people feel or take away when they see your photos?

The main goal I aim for is twofold:

1. It must be artistically pleasing in terms of lighting and composition, ensuring everything flows together.

2. I want viewers to ask questions.

For instance, when looking at a single photo and scanning its various elements, I want people to wonder why one person is looking in a different direction than everyone else, or why a building is oddly placed right on the edge of a cliff next to the ocean. Wouldn't that be prone to erosion? Ect ect…These are the kinds of questions I consider when taking a photo. I am generally curious about the situation and strive to capture that in a photograph that works. If it doesn't work, I don't take the photo! I want people to look at my photos and think, "Wow, that's very artistic and pleasing to look at." Additionally, I want them to ask questions like, "Why would you take that photo? Why is that there? Why is this person doing that?" and so on.

Are there any upcoming trips or projects you’re particularly excited about?

I have a huge plan for travel this year. Next week, I'm going back home to New Zealand. I'm going to the South Island where I will do another road trip. The South Island of New Zealand, in particular, is often thought of as a winter destination; however, the summer in the South Island is absolutely amazing. I am really looking forward to that, as the winter is typically windy, rainy, and presents difficult conditions for shooting.

After that, I will return for a few days before heading off to Japan. I will spend four days in Tokyo doing some portrait, street and car photography. Then, I will travel to the northern part of Japan, Hokkaido Island, where I will experience snow in the streets for the first time. I plan to visit some towns and coastal areas, hoping to capture a lot of snow on structures. My color palette for that is blue and white, so I am hoping for plenty of snow and blue skies, as I think that color palette is stunning.

I also have other trips around Australia for weddings, including a wedding in Mexico. I will travel via Hawaii to Mexico and then through the States, with a possibility of returning to Brazil at the end of the year. Additionally, I will visit Fiji and Tahiti for some surfing trips and return to Bali, Indonesia, for more surfing and photography. I also have 2 weddings in Europe, 6 weeks apart in Greece so I need to find some spots to go to, I'm thinking of the UK and maybe denmark. Somewhere different and more relaxed and easy to travel around.

There is a lot on the agenda, and it is going to be a very busy travel year. This year, I have allowed more time to sit down, edit, and create videos, trying not to overextend myself. I want to have a more relaxed travel experience.

If you could visit any destination or shoot any subject in the world, what would it be and why?

I have some exciting destinations that I want to visit. Some of them are a bit controversial, such as an island in Russia that features a unique Cold War lighthouse, which is fully run down. You can actually catch a boat out to it and photograph it from the water. You can also climb up the lighthouse, which is extremely tall and always has a lot, like a lot of birds flying around it. I have seen some Russian vlogs about it, and it looks stunning.

I think visiting Russia, including Moscow and other cities, would be visually pleasing. However, it is off the agenda until the global conflict is resolved, and it is not a place I want to visit due to the current geopolitics anyway, its gonna take alot of time even if the wars stopped today.

I also want to explore places that are less frequented for photography. There are fascinating locations in Brazil that many people overlook. I have been to Brazil a few times, and my partner is from there. I keep seeing incredible places that my Brazilian friends share on Instagram, and I think, "That would be an amazing place to shoot."

There are other destinations I want to visit, such as Poland, which has a unique coastline. Additionally, traveling around the Pacific Islands is always intriguing. There isn't just one destination on my mind; I have many ideas brewing. South Africa is another place that would be amazing. While I wouldn't be taking photos on a safari, I would prefer to enjoy the experience. However, there are some fantastic surf spots, like Jeffreys Bay, known for its unreal lighting conditions and consistent surf. It would be an interesting coastal destination.

Overall, there is a lot to look forward to, and I am sure I will visit most of these places within the next ten years or so.

To see more from Gerard, check out his website, YouTube channel, or Instagram.