Field Notes from a Wandering Photographer – Week Four: Saying Yes To My New Life, Front Doors, Barns and East Gippsland Magic

You know those weeks where everything starts to hum in that low, certain way? Where you’re halfway through something and suddenly realise, oh my God… this is actually my life now. That was the energy of this week.

It began on the long drive to Canberra, early sun already warm by 9am, that soft golden light bouncing across the highway in a way that made me feel like something good was coming. Windows cracked, playlist drifting, camera batteries charging beside me. It felt like momentum. Like I was driving toward a version of myself I’ve been slowly growing into.

My first front door session was with Jamee and Lachlan, a hot day, blazing sun, and a toddler who was absolutely the main character. Tiny cap on sideways, cheeks flushed, Bluey ball clutched in one hand, sunglasses stolen off his dad’s face every five seconds. Lachy had just walked in from work and cracked a cold beer, and the whole thing felt delightfully messy and real.

These are the sessions that remind me why I love what I do. Nothing curated. Nothing staged. Just life happening at the front step.

The second was with Ilona and Jake, whose home feels like an exhale. Roses climbing around their doorway, puppy Chino, and their four-month-old baby girl tucked between them like she was made for this family. I photographed their wedding years ago, so being invited back to document this new chapter felt deeply full-circle.

After Canberra, I drove to Melbourne (classic me - One of my friends says I’m a different kind of gravy lol) did a quick supermarket dash the next morning, then headed to Geelong for Claire and Darcy’s wedding at The Barn in Wallington. It was one of those rare weddings where everything aligns. The venue was stunning in that modern-country way; the couple were relaxed and open to creativity; and their guests felt instantly familiar. Their bridal party? Honestly one of the best I’ve ever worked with — supportive, organised, and the perfect hype squad.

And the florals.

Blooms by Till absolutely outdid herself. Lush, textured arrangements that made the whole space feel alive and warm. I kept stopping to photograph them the way you’d photograph art.

I’ll include the full vendor list here because everyone deserves a shoutout — it takes a village to pull off a day like this:

Venue: @thebarnwallington

Bartenders: @havanacaravanbar

Celebrant: @zoe_starr_events

Band: @craigfrancismusic

Florist: @blooms_bytill

Somewhere on that drive home — the sun low, the car quiet, that evening stillness settling into everything — it hit me.

For the first time in six years of running Hello Ro Photography professionally, this month, I’ve made the same income I used to earn in the public service.

It felt like a revelation.

Like every kilometre driven, every risk taken, every strange detour of my life had been quietly guiding me toward this exact moment.

Back in Orbost, I rolled into a Zoom meeting with the couple whose wedding I’m shooting this weekend — timelines, golden hour plans, all the “let’s make this feel breezy” stuff I genuinely love. And today, I’m photographing an elopement in Marlo — my first local one since moving here — which feels like such a sweet milestone.

After that, I’ll drive to Canberra (again!) for tomorrow’s Truffle Farm wedding. And next week? More elopements, more front door sessions, Sensitive Santa with the East Gippsland Shire Council and the library, and a content shoot with Miss Arlo in Canberra.

It’s full. It’s a lot. But it finally feels like a life that fits me.

Between Shoots

Between all the driving and shooting and planning, life gave me these tiny pockets of softness I didn’t realise I needed.

I stayed with my baeee bestie in Melbourne — the kind of friend you slip back into rhythm with instantly. We ate delicious food, curled up on the couch, and got completely hooked on All Her Fault. I’m devastated I can’t finish it because I don’t have a TV or streaming service at home, but maybe the suspense is character-building.

Before our slow Sunday, I slipped out for a yoga class at Gertrude Street Yoga — my old studio from 2023 when I needed grounding more than anything. Stepping onto that mat felt like bumping into an old version of myself and realising how much steadier, more rooted, more me I am now.

Then I drove to Berwick to stay with Ash. She made pulled pork with Vietnamese noodles and salad (I’m still thinking about it), and we curled up on the couch talking about French Woods and all the strange little threads that pull people together. It felt warm and safe and easy.

Back home in Orbost, I put up the glamping tent in my backyard — my little summer ritual — and my old work colleague stayed for a few nights. We went to the beach and then had dinner at the Marlo Hotel, and I got my usual parma, which somehow hits the spot every single time.

And the drives — Canberra to Melbourne, Melbourne to Geelong, back to Orbost — they didn’t feel like escape this time. They felt intentional, like movement toward the life I’m building, not away from anything old.

For the first time, I felt like the main character in my own story — and everything else was falling gently into place around me.

Currently Loving

Here are a few things making my days feel softer, easier, and a bit more main-character-y:

My Mikkoa Travel Yoga Mat

This mat is perfection — lightweight, foldable, grippy and so easy to travel with.

Discount code: WILDFLOWERRO

This strawberry matcha latte from Woolies

The Morning Made Strawberry Matcha Latte — it is dangerously good. Consider yourself warned.

Sol Cleanse Daily Celery Juice

Fresh, hydrating, and the perfect way to offset days where I’m running on vibes and adrenaline.

Discount code: ROWENA10

ALL HER FAULT

My new obsession. Do not tell me who did it. I’m living in suspense until I get access to a TV.

What’s Next

Tonight, after I finish shooting the Marlo elopement, I’ll jump back in the car for another late-night drive to Canberra. I’ll probably roll in around 1am, the world quiet in that very specific country-highway way, and tomorrow I’ll wake up in a tiny pocket of Canberra life and head straight into a wedding at the Truffle Farm — earthy, intimate, and always a favourite.

After that, I’ll drive back to Orbost for a meet-and-greet with I Do I Do Gippsland, followed by a styled shoot with them. I’m really excited to meet more local vendors and weave myself a little deeper into the Gippsland wedding world.

Next week is shaping up to be beautifully full: more elopements, more front door sessions, Sensitive Santa with the East Gippsland Shire Council and the library, and a content shoot with Miss Arlo back in Canberra. I have a feeling it’ll be one of those weeks where I blink and suddenly it’s Thursday… but I love the rhythm of being busy with work that genuinely lights me up.

And somewhere in all of that, I’m hoping a few more front door session bookings sneak into the calendar before Christmas. They’ve become one of my favourite offerings — intimate, grounding and the perfect snapshot of real everyday life.

And that’s it! The life behind the scenes of Hello Ro Photography an Australian lifestyle and wedding photographer. If there’s something you’d love me to write about, maybe a behind-the-scenes topic, a favourite shoot, or even what I’m packing for my next trip — leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram at @hello.ro.photography. I’d love to hear from you.

If you’d like to see more of my work, visit www.hellorophotography.com or find me on Instagram at @hello.ro.photography.