Photography by Emma Byrnes
These images were captured during a visit to Orpheus Island and featured in several different stories - one for Jetstar magazine; another for Traveller and a feature story on our travel blog - Lifestyle Traveller.
Read all about it there.
FUTURE PROOF by Jen Rae for REFUGE 2017 at Arts House. Photography by Emma Byrnes.
For REFUGE 2017, the heatwave provides a context to question, what do you know, that you don’t know you know, that we all might need to know in a disaster?
Artist Jen Rae explored this question through a series of task oriented activities for participant involvement where food is created and experienced in the 24-hour period. Skill, labour and knowledge-sharing underpinned the interactions and participants helped with designated collaborative kitchen-related tasks whilst talking about food futures. Participants were rewarded with Feral Food trade tickets for their contributions.
The depth and complexity of Jen Rae’s inspiring Fair Share Fare art projects is difficult to communicate unless you actually participate in one of them as her ideas and concepts are so challenging, immersive and interlaced.
However my job in documenting them requires me to capture not only the breadth of the project but also the small details in order to tell the story . Of course this is the ultimate challenge from the photographer’s point of view and had me on constant alert for any special incidental moments that flashed before me that communicated the project in one gesture or action. 24 hours is a long time for an art project and many moments took place. If you would like to see more images from the project visit Jen’s website here.
And here is a wonderful testimonial from Jen that demonstrates how valuable documentation is to her art practice:
“Working with Emma on Fair Share Fare projects has been a game changer in how the creative works of Fair Share Fare are documented. Her ability to place herself within the artist’s lens means that she captures the moments that matter - the big picture, nuances, subtleties and aesthetics of what can be very complex projects. She listens, comprehends the scope and is always present. Her stealth modus operandi means that she can get behind the scenes and within performances without ever detracting from what is at play between subjects, performers and public participants. I value Emma’s contributions and considered approach, so much so, that I see her as an integral part of the creative team in planning and sharing the story of Fair Share Fare’s work to various audiences.”
Queen Victoria market food tours. Photographs by Emma Byrnes.
I’ve twice had the pleasure of taking photographs for Queen Victoria Market’s food tours.
One of the great perks of this particular assignment is actually going on the informative food tours!
I learnt so much about a place that I was already very familiar with from my guided 90 minute wander through the market. The generous traders, insider tips and a history lesson to boot! Plus a glass of Victorian wine, seasonal fruit platters, handmade pastas, specialty cheeses, homemade gelato and a hot jam doughnut! How delicious is that?
Melbourne is very lucky to have the market at the heart of the city - join a tour and glean some of those handy foodie tips.
An image from the new series for Anna at Sweet Polka. As a graphic designer and visual communicator, Anna is keenly aware of the power of effective imagery to win and influence her clients. She knew she did not need a rebrand (a total overhaul of the brand from the ground up) to inject a renewed sense of vigour. All she required was a fun afternoon spent crafting a handful of fresh images for use on her website. Photograph by Emma Byrnes.
Is your brand feeling a little stale?
Does it feel like the ethos and principles of your brand are still relevant but the execution isn’t as elegant and effective as it could be?
If your answer is YES but the idea of a refresh fills you with a deep-seated fear of the endless hours you will lose as you go deep and attempt to reinvent the wheel (or in this case, your brand) - there is absolutely no need to fret.
Rather than going way out onto the precipice of rebranding, you can maintain the philosophy and essence of your brand but transform it into a super-charged version of itself by taking a few simple steps.
A portrait of Anna of Sweet Polka. By using a restrained colour palette and a beautiful inner city location we were able to photograph a cohesive set of images - each one powerful in it's own right but able to sit within a visual framework. Photograph by Emma Byrnes.
To start off, in most cases (with just a few tweaks from one of Heartland Project’s gun copywriter collaborators), your existing content can continue to serve your brand well.
The next step and in my opinion, the key secret ingredient to your brand refresh, is in creating a suite of professional, compelling and enticing photographs that reinforce your brand's central messages in a way that makes sense to your target audience. If you have been leaning too heavily on tired, daggy old imagery it is definitely time to (re)capture the attention of your clients with some original high quality snaps.
Having your own suite of professional photographs that you create from scratch allows you to shape an authentic and precise visual message, giving you control over what you evoke in your viewer. You can showcase real products, real services and real people from your team rather than the poor substitute of “off the shelf” stock photography.
A limited series of original, high quality hero images are a key element - the right ones establish trust and catch the positive attention of viewers right away, adding to effective brand design.
In addition a wider gallery of associated images allows you to showcase your services/products on your website and can also be used for further promotion both on social and print media.
A close up detail of the Tea and Sympathy website for Sweet Polka as part of the brand refresh. Photograph by Emma Byrnes.
Recognising the importance of visual storytelling is key to your brand’s success.
I'm not just talking about pretty pictures, I'm talking about a way to visualise information in a simple way that makes sense to your clients.
If you are tempted to skimp on professional photography bear in mind that images go into our long term memory and heavily influence a visitor’s opinion of your company culture. Potential clients will often eliminate your brand from consideration immediately, based on poor photography. You want the right photos, shot in the right way, by the right person: an experienced pro who knows how to get the most from a photograph. Your photos must be flawless.
Get in touch to talk about the imaging opportunities that exist for your brand. Nothing gets me more excited than the opportunity to uncover a brand's true potential through successful visual storytelling :-)
Em x
Photographs by Emma Byrnes
One of the many paradoxes of human creativity is that it seems to benefit from constraints.
This project that I photographed for Brave New Eco features a kitchen footprint that was tiny and complicated, with structural walls creating awkward alcoves. The resulting cabinetry that was designed and installed not only made sense of the space but is very easy on the eye. Harmonious proportions, clear composition and a balance of design elements all contribute to the success of this small kitchen space.
Read more about this project and see further photographs at the Brave New Eco blog.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: “Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
Videographer Chelsea Morley of Tiny Disco capturing David Kiper from Catcher Coats as he steps us through the wonderful 43-year-old history of his Australian-made coat business. Photograph by Emma Byrnes.
Did you know that Queen Victoria Market has the largest concentration of small businesses in Australia? And many of them still make and sell Australian products.
I was very happy to work as the photographer on the "Champions of Aussie Made" campaign that was launched last week, alongside videographer Chelsea Morley from Tiny Disco. The campaign highlights certified Australian-made products that are sold in the general merchandise sheds at Vic market. Spending a weekend at the market interviewing the owners of these small businesses was so interesting and by the end of two days I felt like we had been invited into a wonderful community of new friends. Many of these traders have spent their lifetime selling wares at their stalls - such dedication turning up year around, day-in day-out to the outdoor market stall! Often they are second or third generation stall-holders. And to say nothing of the ever increasing pressures of manufacturing their products in Australia.
Bruce Pham holding up a selection from his Bruce Goose range of high-quality Australian-made merino wool socks. His family have been selling socks and hosiery at the market since 1987. Photograph by Emma Byrnes.
I made some fantastic new discoveries - Bruce Goose merino wool socks have kept my feet warm all winter and in style to boot! They even kept my toes super-toasty in the snow!
My fingerless merino gloves from Danny's Knitwear have also contributed to my winter comfort levels and are very useful for tapping away on my keyboard in our cold studio at the Nicholas Building. Not to mention the stunning line-up of Australian designed and made clothing + accessories at the beautifully curated Pussy Cat Black. Bettina has a very fine eye for quality ethical fashion.
Australian made and designed clothing hanging at Pussy Cat Black. Three cheers for retailers who understand the profound value in supporting local, ethical and independent makers. Photograph by Emma Byrnes.
I really take my hat off to these businesses dedication and resistance to the temptations of producing off-shore. As local manufacturing shrinks and the skills-base dwindles it is harder and harder to produce in Australia. As a society we need to think very deeply about whether we are prepared to forego our local industries. There is a direct correlation between consumer purchasing behaviour and employment, local economic development and prosperity. As someone who has run two retail businesses in Australia I can definitely say that despite the challenges the rewards are great. When you buy Australian-made and grown products, you can be sure you are keeping your family members and friends employed. Not to mention being part of a vibrant and positive-thinking community of like-minded folk!
Cactusland's spiky display at the Queen Victoria Market - just opposite the Jam Donut Van. All plants grown in Melbourne. Photographs by Emma Byrnes.
Andrew Thompson (left) of Cactusland and Ariel Lewin of Danny's Knitwear. Photograph by Emma Byrnes.
Chelsea has produced a series of short videos that will be released weekly over the next couple of months - they are definitely worth viewing. Here is the story of David Kiper from Catcher Coats to kick it off.
I look forward to some long-standing relationships ahead with some of the traders I met through this project. Many thanks to you all for participating.
Em x
Photographs by Emma Byrnes.
I have photographed various stallholders for Queen Victoria Market and really enjoyed my time spent at Made In Japan.
Made in Japan (MIJ) has been importing high quality tableware and homewares from Japan for over 25 years. The tableware they import is seldom seen outside Japan - often only in restaurants and homes in the areas surrounding the makersʼ kilns. MIJ's Queen Victoria Market stall can be found on String Bean Alley - an area of the market that houses artisans and makers in recycled shipping containers. A National Trust classification prevents the Market from building permanent structures, so the shipping containers are a clever way of opening up this otherwise neglected part of the Market.
Maddy (pictured above) is the front-woman for the MIJ Queen Victoria Market stall. She is very passionate about all things Japanese - even sporting a Studio Ghibli's Totoro tattoo. So good!