How did your passion for photography start?
I used to go camping and hiking every weekend, only documenting everything with an old phone. Haha! So, I decided to get a camera to help capture everything I was doing and seeing. Once I had the camera, it pushed me even more to go out and explore!
What's your favourite photo we've featured in the Neil Bloem x Open Gallery collection? What's the story behind it?
Definitely the two Eastern Brown Snakes in combat on the RITUAL shirt! It was a warm morning, so I went out looking for snakes basking in the sun. I then came across one of the snakes in the grass. While it wasn't in a good position for any photos at the time, I left it and went to look for others. After having no luck in other areas, I walked back to the original spot, and the two males were in full fight mode. I sat and watched them for half an hour while they were in combat over a female nearby.
What’s your favorite kind of photography?Â
I started off by trying every type of photography to see what I liked and preferred, and landed with landscape photography! Sitting in one spot in peace, watching the scenery change within minutes from different light and shadows. I then started to really get into wildlife photography, which I think is the biggest photography challenge. Always chasing the best shot with an unpredictable wild animal, with this, you’re always going to be going outside with the camera in your hand to learn and capture something new!
What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on so far?
Definitely this artist range! It’s been an absolute dream to work with all the crew at Factorie. Bouncing ideas off each other, watching one idea spread into twenty new ideas. I’m always working by myself, so getting to work with a creative group is a new experience, and it’s been so much fun for me!