More and more often, I am getting people contact me and ask me about my photography, advice on how to get started, what camera or lens to buy, any tips etc.  I feel like I’ve worked really hard the last 3 years learning everything I can and growing and improving my photography skills so here are a few of my tips:

•  If you are just starting out, or looking at upgrading and buying new equipment, I would always suggest to buy the absolute best that you can afford.  The camera and equipment that you use really does make a difference and the more you improve, you will find you will outgrow equipment very quickly.
• As far as brands, I honestly believe unless you are a true professional, selling your work corporately and blowing up images to billboard size, it just comes down to personal preference.  I use now and always have been a “Canon girl”.  It’s kind of like the Aussie “Ford vs Holden”  There really isn’t a “better” just what you prefer.  For a starter, a reasonable DSLR camera with a broad range lens – say 18-75 mm will set you back around AUD450 (as at August 2016) which will be a good starting point.
•  Once you have your camera, work out what exactly it is you are trying to achieve and what you are wanting to shoot.  I think it is always best to stick with what you are passionate about and this will translate into your images.  If you try and force a style, it generally shows.  Me, I love travel and landscape photography. I love to go somewhere and capture the beauty in a location and then share it and I hope that when people see my images, it makes them want to travel there too.
• Follow people on social media who’s pictures you like and ask lots of questions.  If there is a style or type of photo that you particularly love, ask the photographer what settings they used and how they achieved the image.  Say for instance steel wool spinning.  I have found most people are more than happy to share and this is largely how I have learnt what I know
• Find a local photography group in your area and go and shoot with other people.  The more you take photos, the more you will improve and again, you can ask how other people are setting their cameras.  This is especially helpful if you are in the same location becuase you can see exactly how they are achieving their shots.
•  I wouldn’t usually recommend photography courses for amateurs as from my experience, they are largely a waste of money.  The best thing to do other than asking questions, is get online.  There are literally thousands of you-tube tutorials for absolutely everything you could want to know and they are step by step pretty easy that you can do in your own home for free.
•  Most importantly is GET OUT THERE AND TAKE PHOTOS as often as you possibly can, and have fun!