Field Notes from a Wandering Photographer – Week One: Dust, Deadlines & Detours

Everyone keeps telling me I should start a blog.

So here it is, a little insight into what goes on during my weeks behind the lens, in between shoots, editing marathons, and the things I’m loving at the moment.

This week has mostly looked like one very long editing marathon, catching up on two lifestyle sessions, two Front Door Sessions, and a wedding. The kind of week where you lose track of time, the light shifts across the floor, and suddenly it’s 8 p.m. and you’re still barefoot in your pjs.

My first wedding back this season was in Geelong, so I packed up my car and drove to Melbourne to spend time with one of my best friends in the whole world. We walked along the Maribyrnong River, cozied up on the couch, and caught up on all things life. I found an amazing matcha spot just a ten-minute walk from her house before jumping back in the car and heading down to Barwon Edge.

Truthfully, I was so nervous. The first wedding back after winter always makes me that way, but it turned out beautifully. The second I pick up a camera, everything clicks back into place. It just feels like home.

The day was so laid-back and perfect. There was a little sun shower at one point, the good-luck kind that rolls in and out without ruining a thing. Their little boy shouted encouragement during speeches and had everyone giggling. The dance floor was packed, fuelled by an incredible sax player from Baker Boy’s band who joined everyone on the floor.

And I have to say it, Barwon Edge always gets it right. The team there are absolute gems. They treat every vendor like family, serve the best vendor meals, and run the night seamlessly. It’s one of my favourite venues. Everyone works together so naturally, it’s always a pleasure to shoot there.

Here’s the beautiful crew who made the day what it was:

💐 Florals — @blooms_bytill

🎥 Content — @olivelanemedia

💄 Makeup — @caitlinroeartistry

💇 Hair — @ameliarosehairstylist

🎤 Celebrant — @sarahthecelebrant_

✍️ Signage — @theparkereffect

📍 Venue — @barwonedgeweddings

Front Door Sessions

In between shooting weddings, I’ve been loving the slower, homey rhythm of my Front Door Sessions.

This year, instead of offering Christmas mini-sessions, I decided to run Front Door Sessions through to 24 December — something a little slower, softer, and closer to real life.

Last week, I photographed the sweetest family in Canberra. They’re just so lovely, I actually love them so much. It’s been such a joy to document their full story. I shot their wedding a couple of years ago, then their maternity session, and a big family session after that. Watching their story unfold has been the best kind of full-circle moment, and they’ve shown so much support for my work along the way — honestly, it’s the cherry on top of the cake.

They’ve just bought their new dream home, and I got to photograph them there, barefoot, relaxed, completely themselves. No pressure, no rushing off anywhere. Just giggles, tickles, and that kind of easy laughter that fills a house.

These sessions remind me that the magic isn’t only in the big moments. It’s in the chaos, in the ordinary, in the way a family moves together. That’s what I love most about being a photographer.

Between Shoots

Now I’m switching gears, packing my camera gear for a Front Door Session back in Yass. The car’s half-loaded, my suitcase is open, and I’m somewhere between vacuuming and daydreaming about road snacks.

Fun fact about me: I actually used to be a fashion design student. I’m not trendy at all, but I love creating outfits that just feel like me. What really gets me going is planning what to pack for my next trip — thinking about textures, layers, and how everything will work once I’m on the road. So while I’m packing my suitcase, I’ve been folding and photographing a few of the outfits I’m taking, the ones that just feel right together.

Lately, I’ve been listening to “Over Your Head” by Lily Fitts, “WhateverWhatever” by Blusher, and “Motion Sickness” by Phoebe Bridgers while I get ready — that perfect mix of melancholy and momentum that somehow makes even packing a charging cable feel good.

Sometimes this job is eighty percent hope, the behind-the-scenes bits no one sees. Updating websites, sending emails, checking weather forecasts, planning timelines, waiting for bookings, and editing into the night. The other twenty percent is shooting, travelling, chasing light, and photographing people in love. It’s peaks and troughs, but I love it.

Currently Loving

Outfit of the Week: Barrel pants a vintage tee and my trusty Birks — the road-trip uniform I didn’t plan but now fully own.

Snack Situation: Carmen’s Honeycomb Protein Bars — I get them from Woolies or any servo I come accross, can confirm they’ve become a food group. There’s always one in my camera bag.

Seasonal Thing: the first hints of summer in Orbost, the air thick with cut grass and that slow, honeyed light that hangs on just a bit too long.

What’s Next

Next week’s field notes will probably come from the road, somewhere between Gippsland and Canberra, playlists loud, cameras charged, windows down just enough to let the air change.

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 @hello.ro.photography.