Tasmania has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember, and I finally had the chance to experience its beauty firsthand. When I saw that Nic Braithwaite was hosting a workshop in the Bay of Fires, a photographer who I truly admire and am constantly in awe of her work, I was 100% committed to getting myself there. Looking back, I should have stayed an extra day, but one thing’s for sure—I’ll definitely be back!
I arrived at Launceston Airport on Friday morning, filled with anticipation, and embarked on a scenic 2.5-hour drive to St Helens. That evening, I met up with two incredible fellow photographers, Jess and Krystal, for dinner at The Hub in Binalong Bay. We indulged in the most delicious pizza, and since I was away from my anaphylactic husband, I seized the opportunity to order a dozen of the biggest oysters I could find. As we dined, we watched the sunset over the Bay of Fires—the location for our shoot the following day.
The sky was ablaze with colour, we got home for an early night, excited for what the next day would bring
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The next morning, I woke before dawn and made my way to the Bay of Fires, where I met the other workshop attendees. Through a sleepy, pre-coffee haze, we exchanged greetings before heading down to the small, breathtaking beach where our session would take place. Our stunning model, Harriet, was 30 weeks pregnant and absolutely glowing.
Nic wasted no time positioning Harriet high on the rocks where the morning light cascaded beautifully around her. Dressed in a flowing silk gown, she looked otherworldly—like a light wraith against the rugged landscape. The sun rose quicker than expected, so Nic quickly repositioned Harriet lower to take advantage of the shifting light. Nic encouraged movement—arms reaching up, hands sweeping through her hair, cradling her bump, stretching outward—allowing the silk sleeves to catch the breeze. The dynamic flow of the fabric and Harriet’s graceful movements created truly breathtaking imagery.
We moved as a group through the landscape, searching for perfect light and compelling compositions. I always take a moment at workshops like this to laugh at the sight of a dozen photographers moving in sync, all trying to capture the magic. Yes we were "those people". Nic guided Harriet into the water, where she leaned back against a rock. It might have looked uncomfortable, but Harriet assured us she was perfectly at ease. The resulting image was one of my absolute favourites from the day.
The contrast between Harriet’s delicate form in a soft silk gown and the jagged, red-streaked rocks was striking. Nic later introduced sheer fabric into the mix, but the wind wasn’t cooperating, so we decided to save it for the evening session. We wrapped up the morning shoot with Harriet in the tidal pools, where she looked perfectly at home, surrounded by shimmering ocean water.
Afterward, we regrouped at Life Buoy Café in St Helens, a charming spot where the coffee was hot, the food delicious, and the conversation even better. We took time to chat and reflect on the morning’s work before breaking for the afternoon. I also spent a small fortune at the gift shop which had the most adorable children's clothes.
With a few hours to spare, I met up with Jess and Krystal again at the beach we had shot at that morning. We basked in the sun, took a refreshing swim, read our books, and simply enjoyed the moment. Harriet even joined us for a short while—it was truly picturesque. Later, I took a quick drive to Peron Dunes to explore. The vast, windswept dunes were incredible, and I’d love to go back for a full session there one day.
As the evening approached, we reconvened for the sunset session, this time with our second beautiful model, Larissa. The rocks on this side of the Bay were even more vibrantly red in the setting sun, creating an incredible backdrop. This was when Nic demonstrated her mastery of sheer fabric, using the light to craft stunning silhouettes and ethereal, artistic moments. We moved lower down to capture the golden glow of the sunset reflecting off the water and ended the session by embracing the magic of blue hour—the fleeting, dreamlike light after sunset.
At one point, I saw birds flying in formation across the sky and instinctively thought, ‘Don’t stuff this up, Nat!’ I held my focus and nailed the shot—another favourite from the day. And yes, the birds were real!
Exhausted but fulfilled, I headed back for an early night. The next morning, I spent time exploring more of the Bay of Fires, including the stunning Cozy Corner. For my return journey, I took the scenic route back to Launceston, stopping for a charming pub lunch at the famous Pub in the Paddock, where I even got to say hello to the resident pigs.
Nic was an absolutely incredible teacher throughout the entire experience. Her ability to see light and pivot in response to changing conditions was nothing short of inspiring. She is a true master of her craft, creating dramatic, emotive scenes while honing in on authentic connections. Her artistic vision and deep understanding of movement, composition, and storytelling shone through in every moment. Watching her work was a privilege, and I walked away with not just new skills but a renewed appreciation for the art of maternity photography.
This experience has been transformative, pushing my creativity to new heights. My mind is brimming with inspiration, and I’ve already started planning my own sheer fabric creative session. I can’t wait to apply everything I’ve learned and see where this creative spark takes me next!
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