Exploring Creativity in an Unexpected Setting: A Photographic Session in a Carpark
Last week, I had the pleasure of organising and leading a creative session with some fellow photographers in our area. The setting? An unassuming carpark in the back of an old pub on the Northern Beaches. It's not a place you'd immediately associate with a fast car, a family with an extra member on the way and a few (passionate!!!) photographers but that’s exactly where our creativity took flight.
The centrepiece of the shoot was a hot red historic Chevrolet—a classic that, due to its delicate nature, was unable to be driven in the rain. As luck would have it, the weather threatened to derail our plans and I spent most of the day on the Rain Parrot app trying to decide if this shoot was going ahead or not!!! We were on the brink of calling it off, but thankfully we got lucky with a pocket of clear skies and a very nervous car owner! Personally, I think the slick carpark MADE the shoot!
The stars of our session were a wonderful family: a pregnant Mumma Josie, her husband Leon, and their adorable daughter, Ria.
Ria brought a special charm to the session. With her skateboard and Polaroid camera in hand, she captured sweet moments of her parents and her beloved pet dinosaur—a sweet touch that added an extra layer of whimsy to the shoot. She also snapped some cute images of the baby bump, creating a series of candid and heartfelt memories. and all the more special because they were taken by the family's excited firstborn!
As photographers, we thrive on the chance to explore new ideas and techniques. This session was a prime example of how collaboration and shared creativity can lead to unique and inspiring results. Each photographer brought their own perspective, and together we styled the shoot in a way that reflected our collective vision. We played with slow shutters, different angles and lots of moving parts, all the while watching out for signs of rain AND fighting the setting sun.
The carpark, with its unassuming presence, transformed into a canvas of creativity. The red car became a beacon of colour and energy amidst the dull concrete, and the family’s interactions and Ria’s playful Polaroid snapshots added depth and warmth to the images.
Getting together with fellow photographers to experiment, learn, and inspire each other is one of the most rewarding aspects of our craft. Sessions like these remind us that creativity isn’t bound by location or conventional settings. It’s about seeing the potential in the ordinary and working together to bring our shared vision to life.
In the end, despite the weather challenges and the unusual location, the shoot was a resounding success. It was a testament to the power of collaboration and the joy of discovering beauty in the most unexpected places.
I cannot wait to get together with these ladies again and see what else we can create as a team!
If you have an idea for a shoot that is a bit out of the ordinary why not be the hero in your own story and let me know! I'd love to work with you on a fun idea and help you bring it to life through thoughtful imagery.
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