While known for her skill in capturing interiors and architecture, Melbourne based interior photographer Stephanie Rooney has just released a collection of limited edition travel photography prints. Launched under the brand Moona + Co. the series includes beautiful images of the Turkish desert, the Greek Islands, urban Japan and the Australian coastline.
‘Rent a car, Greek Islands #4’ print, from $75
“When I’m travelling I tend to seek out quieter landscapes. I try to avoid crowds and find a high vantage point. I love capturing the illusion that people have just left a scene,” says Stephanie who is enamoured with Turkey’s Cappadocia where she took photos from one of the famous hot air balloons that have become a hallmark of the region.
‘Cappadocia, Turkey #4’ print, from $250
“Turkey was an amazing country, the landscapes of the desert are mind blowing. The Cappadocia series was captured from a hot air balloon on my digital Canon camera and photographing from up there was so much fun! Nothing compares. I was captivated by the layers of archeological history of the area. You can see in the photographs the cave homes and rock cut buildings as well as the geologically formed fairy chimneys,” says Stephanie.
Another trip involved a week sailing through the Greek Islands (specifically Eos, Amorgos and Santorini) which gave Stephanie another opportunity to capture some magical shots. “The colours there were spectacular. The contrast of the red cliffs against the turquoise sea, and the famous white and blue painted buildings of Santorini were a photographer’s dream,” says Stephanie though she admits the crowds often made the task a little challenging.
‘Greek Islands #3’ print, from $250
Stephanie’s prints are sold unframed with the option of a white border and they are printed on high-grade Fuji lustre paper which is safe to transport rolled. “At this stage framed options are available to Melbourne, Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula customers, with prices available upon request,” says Stephanie who has certainly been bitten by the travel bug. “Keep an eye out for the next series after I visit Portugal in July!”
“Styling for photography is very different to general styling. What we see with the naked eye sometimes doesn’t translate to the image. As professionals we always work with our camera attached to our laptop and scrutinise each picture until we are happy with the result,” says stylist Penny Hyams of The Studio Melbourne.
Photographer Sandy Rogulic and stylist Penny Hyams of The Studio Melbourne
Located in the Melbourne suburb of Moorabbin, Penny runs her gorgeous warehouse studio alongside her best friend, photographer Sandy Rogulic where they create imagery for many brands and run an event space too.
“It was after we submitted a project to Home Beautiful magazine that we realised there were so many people looking for beautiful and affordable imagery for social media and more general online use,” says Sandy. And with years of precious experience in the trade, today the ladies share their top ten tips for product styling and shooting like a professional.
One of Penny and Sandy’s recent shoots
1. Over styling If there’s too much going on in the scene, nothing feels balanced. It’s what you take out of the image, not what you put in that makes the biggest difference.
2. Scale Getting the scale right in the scene is crucial. Too many same size items grouped together looks boring. Mix up the size, shape and texture. Take your picture and really examine it until you’re happy with the composition.
3. Natural light This is our favourite! Chase the light around your house and learn where the best light is and what time of day is the nicest time to shoot.
4. Breathing space Leave space between the items you are shooting. Sometimes what looks separate to the naked eye looks attached in a photo. For example, you should leave some space between your bed and bedside table or it can look like they are joined.
5. Human elements Include a human element in the image. For example a pair of glasses resting on a book or a hand on a glass will give the image some life and interest.
A human element can elevate the shot
6. Background Be aware of background. Try not to have an overly busy background as it is very distracting.
7. Be prepared! Have a few different props on hand in case what you had planned just doesn’t work.
8. Mix it up Try and mix up your selection of props. Sometimes adding an aged piece with the perfect patina into a scene is exactly what’s needed to elevate the image to something great.
9. Don’t copy other people’s work! Sure, you can be inspired by a style you like but always inject your own personality into the pic. The more you play with this the better you become and the clearer it is what makes the magic happen.
10. Have fun and keep your ego in check! When we work with other businesses and creatives, everyone has something valid to contribute. Sometimes it’s that one little thing that seems so insignificant that creates the hero shot. In our experience it’s usually the simple act of taking one thing out of the shot!
The Studio Melbourne style and shoot everything from cushions to fashion for small to large businesses from their Moorabbin warehouse. They also run styling for photography classes a few times a year.
Today’s tour is the first home of actress-turned-photographer Gemma Peanut and her husband Matt. Like many young Sydney couples, they missed out on several apartments before securing this one, on the lower north shore. “Searching for any home is a path paved with excitement and heartbreak,” the former Neighbours actress says. “We missed out on a few places we loved but were big believers that the home you end up with was always meant to be!
“I definitely didn’t fall for it instantly; my eyes widened at the opportunity and potential to convert it into something wonderful. I think the reason we were able to secure it was because it was so poorly presented for sale that many people were turned off. It would’ve looked like a lot of work to most but to me it looked like one hell-of-a fun project to sink my teeth into.” Smart buying indeed!
Gemma Peanut
The 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, top floor apartment is in a small block of 11. On getting the keys, aside from feeling “like my bank account had been brutally violated,” Gemma felt overwhelmed with excitement. “Getting on the property ladder started to feel like an impossible dream in Sydney. We were elated when we finally signed the papers to our new baby. I don’t know if this is a common reaction, but a few weeks after the excitement of being home owners wore off, the reality of the huge job ahead of us started to sink in and nerves and anxiety about our renovations started to kick in.”
New bathrooms
The renovations took 4.5 months, during which time, the couple lived with her parents. “We gutted the entire apartment and started over. We removed all the bathroom tiles, built in wardrobes, carpet, the works. We also removed one wall to open up the kitchen into an open plan living room and kitchen. Most 1960s building have kitchens hidden away in a tiny room and I’m a sucker for lots of light and open space. That was never going to work for me. Plus, when I entertain friends, I like to be in the kitchen prepping a meal and still be able to hang out with everyone.”
The couple wisely ensured they’d be able to remove the wall before signing on the line to buy the place as it was a potential deal breaker. Then Gemma got to work with a very clear vision in mind, with Matt giving her free rein on all design decisions, provided she stayed within their agreed budget. “The greatest challenge was sticking to the budget but I enjoyed this challenge. It forced me to be resourceful and really sniff out those deals. There were certain things we splashed out on and then found ways to save. It’s all about striking that balance of affordable mixed in with fancy.”
Removing that kitchen wall undoubtedly made the biggest impact, allowing much more light in. “I’m a light junkie,” says Gemma. “I work from home and need to be flooded with light constantly for my own mental health. So that wall removal was the ultimate game changer.”
BEFORE: The former, closed off kitchenBEFORE: The old, cluttered dining room
PROGRESS: Kitchen wall down!
Now it’s finished and furnished, Gemma describes the space as calming, modern and homely. “Many friends have come over and said it feels soothing and relaxing. I would say my interior style is clean and modern with a sprinkle of bohemian. Matt self-nominated to have zero say in the interior styling of our apartment but he surprisingly dug his heels in on one topic: carpet. That was the only time he piped up. I wanted to go for a light grey/oat coloured carpet and he passionately disagreed. He wanted a dark grey. And seeing as I didn’t have many battles to fight, I let him win the carpet battle. And since moving in, I have to take my hat off to him. The darker carpet is much more practical and contrasts nicely with our bright white walls and bed linen.”
First time homeowners Gemma and Matt
Being that she works from home, creating the perfect space was even more important to Gemma, who has carved out an impressive career as a photographer over the last few years, also running a popular online photography course. “I have a desk but I tend to move locations throughout the day. I’m fidgety so I’ll hop from working at my desk to my dining table to the kitchen island and then tend to end the day working on the couch. I’m sure all this shifting is terrible for my back but I’m incapable of sitting still and staring at the same wall for hours on end.”
Gemma recently launched a print shop too, selling some of her favourite photos as high quality art. “I’ve always followed my heart. I was that girl who knew her mind and my parents didn’t stand a chance in hell of guiding me towards a sensible and risk-free career. I’ve always been a believer that you will spend a giant chunk of your life working so you may as well love what you do. And I’ve been fortunate enough to explore all my creative passions and work within them with ease (although never void of a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears). Transitioning to a business owner required a mammoth mental shift. I had to learn blind confidence and really back myself and belief that I could do it. There were a lot of growing pains along the way but I wouldn’t change a thing!”
Gemma loves art on her own walls too. “Art is where your can really express yourself and overtly share your personality. I like to make a statement, which is why my print shop offers large size prints with frames. I like people to solidly commit to my photography and go for something that takes up a lot of real estate and becomes a statement piece that can’t be ignored.
“My favourite is called Wild Love. It’s a picture of a maternal monkey breastfeeding her young. It brings such a grounding and earthy energy to my home. You can also walk straight into my apartment and completely understand my undying love for our natural environment. I love bringing the outside world inside. Hence all the indoor plant babies.”
With her renovating adventure now at an end, Gemma’s best advice from the experience is to pick a builder you like and trust. “You will spend a lot of time communicating and negotiating with them, so it’s important that you get on well and trust that they share your vision.
“My next big tip would be to stick with neutral tones when it comes to your kitchen and bathroom. You can express your love of colour through soft furnishings. Interior colours and styles move in waves and trends. It’s much easier to replace a pink cushion than it is to replace pink bathroom tiles.
“My last tip would be to plan lighting way ahead of time. This is something I wish I’d done sooner. The infrastructure needs to be set right at the start and isn’t something you can easily add in later. I wish I pre-empted that I might like a pendant light in my bathroom. Suddenly the bathroom was done and it was too late and too costly to add one.”
While Katie Clulow boasts a 20-year floristry career, her floral skills go well beyond the creation of a simple bouquet. A self-taught botanical photographer, the Sydneysider is also a textile designer, fibre artist and basket maker too. “I find it hard to define what I do exactly but I certainly spend a lot of time admiring flowers!” says Katie.
‘Alice’ limited edition print
“I was lucky in that flowers seemed to find me. From florist to flower buyer, and spending a lot of early mornings at the flower markets, I started to document the flowers. Each season was so different, as were the changes in flower trends. When Instagram began, it was the perfect place for Flowers For Kate to unfold,” says Katie.
Open edition blue hydrangea print
And like many mothers, it was after the birth of her children that Katie’s career took a different turn. “As a mother of two kids I wanted to be present and at home as they grew up. Floristry requires long hours and is very physical, retail work. Flowers For Kate has grown from a need to create – as a mother, life can’t always be about nurturing others. We need to feed our own souls to be better at life. I love making, creating and designing and Flowers For Kate has enabled me to do that from home so I feel very fortunate,” says Katie.
‘Evelyn in decay’ limited edition print
Drawing primarily from nature; colour, texture and form are Katie’s biggest inspirations. “Simple and accessible natural beauty is usually the best inspiration, from dandelions on the street verge to a perfectly grown garden rose. I love how colour can affect an entire room and I am very aware of colours when selecting the flowers that I shoot,” says Katie who has recently began experimenting with macro lenses that produce all that gorgeous detail that is found in her prints.
Hydrangea linen cushion
“With my photography, I started printing on textiles as I found it more forgiving – organic linens, canvas and crisp cottons for soft furnishings,” says Katie who prints her designs on paper too. “I am loving the textural matte finish and printing on paper was always a huge goal for me. These last six months have been a massive learning curve but rewarding too,” says Katie.
‘Coral Peony’ limited edition print
As for the wide and enduring appeal of flowers, Katie puts it well. “Coming from a floristry background, flowers were bought for a first love, to heal, to mark the birth of a new baby, to give to a friend, sell a home, to say sorry and to mark the end of a life. Just the fragrance can transport us to a different time or place. They really are magical,” says Katie.
Each week we shine the spotlight on some of Australia’s best designers, artists and stylists and have them share with us what’s making them tick; anything from the best advice they’ve ever received to their favourite holiday destination. Today we chat to Kara Rosenlund, photographer, stylist and author of Shelter — How Australians Live.
1. What is your favourite cafe?
The Sourced Grocer in Teneriffe, Brisbane. It is quintessentially QLD with a mix of indoor and outdoor dining, and I can never go past the smashed avo on toast.
2. What is your favourite holiday destination?
Satellite Island, Tasmania, which features in my new book, Shelter — How Australians Live. I just love its remoteness. When I go on holidays I want to feel alone and have a moment to be at one with my thoughts.
3. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Cut once. Measure twice.
4. What’s your go-to recipe?
It’s a chicken and leek pot pie. The recipe is from artist Anita Mertzlin, whom I met when visiting her home for Shelter, hidden away in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. There is lots of thyme which gives the dish an incredible flavour and it makes you look like you’ve tried harder than you really have!
5. What is your piece of furniture you own?
A glass display cabinet which is an old Australian piece I picked up in rural Victoria whilst on the road. It has pride of place in my home and is filled with my ceramics. It’s a piece which has already travelled many miles.
To celebrate the launch of her first book, Shelter — How Australians Live, photographer, stylist and storyteller Kara Rosenlund will be hosting pop up events in Melbourne (22 October), Sydney (29 October) and Brisbane (14 November).
Kara
For a gold coin donation to the Country Women’s Association, everyone is welcome and you’ll be able to buy a signed book and purchase prints from Shelter, with Kara taking the opportunity to mingle with guests and share insights from her incredible adventure.
Also at each event, 12 images from the newly released book will jump out from the pages in an exhibition showcase. Selected by Kara, the prints are a tight summation of the year-long journey she took in bringing the book together.
A celebration of quintessentially Australian landscapes and interiors, Shelter spans the vast array of spaces that people call home. From abandoned, decaying cottages to repurposed shipping containers and cliff-top hideaways, the book is a visual feast, documented in Kara’s honest and poignant style.
“Shelter began as a creative idea and quickly evolved into a year-long adventure which saw me travel from one corner of the country to the other – taking in some of the most remote parts of Australia,” explains Kara. “I was welcomed into people’s homes with open arms and relished hearing their stories, which formed the stories accompanying each chapter.”
Can’t make it along? To purchase a copy of Kara’s book or prints visit her online shop. To register for one of the pop up events visit her website.
As a big collector of quirky things, the one-bedroom apartment of 24-year-old Alex Hocking is chock-full of carefully sourced wares and furniture he has refurbished himself.
From the spinning wheel (a nod to his love of Disney and Sleeping Beauty), which he upcycled in metallic gold with black spikes, to his custom-made eight-foot long design bench turned dining table, Alex is all about creating a home with one-of-a-kind pieces. “I’ve made my home very quirky with lots of fine detailing and unique room accessories,” explains Alex. ” I am a little fussy with the way I like things — I do have a mild case of OCD which does come across in the styling of my apartment. I’m a huge fan of white and black, neutral colours and clean lines — but then to counteract I love bold pops of colour.”
Situated just outside of Melbourne’s CBD in West Footscray, the home is extremely modern and full of character, with high ceilings, white walls and large windows and doors that let in an incredible amount of natural light. And while Alex is currently renting, that’s definitely not stopped him from putting his own stamp on things.
“I’ve never found renting to be a hinderance in decorating my home just the way that I like. My first question to any agent before I sign on the dotted line is can I put frames up on the walls? I’m a huge fan of art and own more framed pieces that I can count! I find adding things like framed pictures to a wall is a great way to show your personality and make your place feel like home. Removable wallpaper is great for small featured areas and I’m also a big fan of soft furnishings such as textured throw blankets, rugs and pillows — they are effortless and can definitely make a home feel warm and welcoming.”
Working as an interior decorator, but with a background in fashion design, styling and photography, Alex approached the home decoration process in the same way he does during his nine-to-five. “Generally when I put together a room I’ll start with the big-ticket items such as furniture, then move onto artworks and lastly finish with cushions, blankets and rugs. I think when adding colour to a room it’s best to incorporate it with small accessory items rather than in the furniture. Though I haven’t always followed this rule I do try to as often as I can!”
It is for this reason that his favourite space is his bedroom, liking it for its monochrome base with the occasional pop of colour. “My bedroom is just so cosy and warm and is a perfect representation of my style. It’s the kind of room I’ve always wanted! It’s nearly entirely black, white and silver which can be quite cold, however I’ve balanced this by adding warm dim lighting, a lot of plush silk cushions and linen accompanied by a faux fur blanket throw and rug, and most importantly, a musk candle so that it always smells like my favourite candy and makes me happy.”
Find A Creative is a brand new resource for the stills photographic industry for print and digital media. Co-founder Jenni Booth says: “It is a directory of people who specialise in this industry, a place where creatives can be found by clients, and where creatives can be found by other creatives!”
She adds: “Unlike other connection sites such as LinkedIn or The Loop, Find A Creative is simply a little black book of useful people relating solely to our industry. Whether you are a client looking to pull together a team for a stills photo shoot, a photographer looking for a digi operator or assistant, or a stylist looking for props or a set builder, Find A Creative lists them all!”
Jenni says many brands are now producing their own photo shoots to save money. “This website will provide an invaluable source of contacts for them to do this, right down to the delivery driver and caterers. We even provide contacts for the post-production too, if you need a graphic designer or web builder.”
1. A wedding planner or on-the-day co-ordinator can be a lifesaver! We used the lovely Katie Moore from Piccadilly Events. I was all over every detail of our wedding. I had spreadsheets and lists; LOTS of lists. So I wasn’t sure I really needed someone to help on the day (as well as my many generous friends who got stuck in) because I thought I’d already organised everything. Wrong! When there’s a wedding there is ALWAYS something else that needs doing! Katie was our wedding angel. So many guests commented on how fabulous she was.
That’s Katie behind the flowers!
As well as the million things she probably did that I knew nothing about, she took the flowers from the church to the reception, made sure everyone knew where they should be and when and made sure my dad had a torch to read his speech with (he was seriously nervous that his eyesight was going to let him down, although I was of course oblivious!). When I arrived at the church, she produced a small tin of M&Ms, offered them to me and said: “Sugar hit?” Brilliant! Katie came to our rehearsal too so she knew the plan for the day as well as I did (we merged our respective run sheets!) and who all the key players were. I thoroughly recommend having someone like Katie as a go-to girl on the day. I told everyone that if they had any issues at all they should go and speak to the girl in the yellow dress (yes, she even told me what she’d be wearing in advance).
And she did all of this IN HEELS.
2. While we’re on the subject of extra pairs of hands, the next thing I learned (after a while) is that it’s okay to ask for help.
I was delighted when The Home asked me to pick some of my favourite products for a special winter warmer sale (starting today) and to join them on a photoshoot on location to bring them to life. Isn’t the end result stunning? I’m so in love with this clever photo!
I headed straight to some of my favourite places, like Cadrys rugs and Have You Met Miss Jones to pick some cosy and colourful items. I’ve always loved the look of layered rugs but never tried this in my own home so it was fun to pick several to work together. I think this shoot goes to show that mix and match can totally work, and it’s all about contrast and texture. And how about that lamp? I’m buying one of those babies for myself!
As for these beautiful images, a LOT of hard work and talent went into them behind the scenes, which I got to watch, but cannot take any credit for (apart from putting the flowers in the vase and making the tea for the cup on the tray…)! Joining me at the gorgeous property in the Hunter Valley were The Home’s stylist Marj Silva, photographer Lisa Zhou and buyer Emma Blomfield (also stylist at Nest Designs). They made that picture happen, and no, it really isn’t glamorous! Unless of course you count climbing on scaffolding and holding boards up on the other side of windows to stop pesky sun rays coming through and spoiling the shot glamorous!
Looking at Julia Green’s styling work, it’s very hard to believe she’s only been doing this professionally for 3 years or, indeed, that she spent 15 years in the corporate world of pharmaceuticals!
“Yes it’s true I used to pedal drugs… all legal ones though,” she jokes. “After uni I needed to earn money. I saw an ad in the paper promising a car and money. I interviewed and blow me down, I got it. Then comes the timewarp of some 15 years where I sell, manage and recruit in that industry before having my last baby and realising I had been living a lie.”
Fenton and Fenton shoot
Whilst everyone always told Julia she should be “in interiors” she had no idea how to turn her passion into a real job, or that stylists even existed (true story). Then fate intervened. One day, a man came to her door to collect a couch she’d sold him on eBay. “Ends up he is a photographer for Vogue and he asked me who I styled for. In perfect ignorance, I asked what he was on about, only to learn of a whole new world out there, that I apparently should belong to. He gave me a card and told me to call. To cut a long story short, I have not stopped running from job to job ever since!”
If you haven’t already heard of Felix Forest, you’ve probably seen some of his beautiful interiors shots without realising. He really does know how to capture the essence of a home. When I look at his images I start imagining who lives in the home and how they might hang out there. It’s a real skill.
Coming from a creative family, he’s been passionate about furniture, interiors and design for many years and taking photographs since he was very young. “I go to auctions on a weekly basis and revamp pieces. I studied and trained in film photography. After assisting for a short time in still life and fashion, I started documenting some of my creative friends’ spaces, which opened opportunities with magazines.” Now his work’s been featured everywhere, including Belle, Vogue Living, (inside), Inside Out, AD Mexico, Real Living and Vogue Australia. He regularly gets to work alongside his partner, interior designer and stylist Dina Broadhurst.
Felix Forest by Dina Broadhurst
Like me, the Sydney-based Frenchman loves discovering new interiors and meeting the people who live in them. Lucky enough to travel extensively for work, he enjoys the constant change of scenery and learning about art and design pieces from passionate homeowners. The hardest part is finding new and unpublished homes and persuading people to let him shoot them. “The owners always feel they are not ready or finished.” And let’s face it, what home is ever really finished?
