AP: You are one of the co-founders of Australian Photoholics Forum, can you tell us what you hope the forum can achieve for photographers?
SS... Being around forums for several years on several subjects, I really wanted to create a place that had the warmth of a small group with the support of a large one. Whether you are an amateur photographer or a professional one, we can all learn from each other and an inviting forum gives a vehicle for personal growth within each member’s photography. I am very lucky that Corbin shared the same views on the ideal forum.

AP: How did you get started, and when did you get serious about photography?
SS… I started a few years back. I was going to Fiji on a holiday and wanted to take some photos of a typical island sunset. It was also my partner’s (Bree) first trip overseas so it was a big occasion. So a bit of research on the internet and a chat to one of my photography Facebook friends resulted in a Canon 400d single lens kit. After we returned, I was hooked. Off to the local TEDs to see what lenses I had available to me, buying new bodies and lenses with every pay check. I was then approached by Jodi who wanted to get some model shots done. With Bree studying to become a makeup artist, it was a perfect opportunity to break into the field of portrait photography.

AP: What inspires/Drives you for each shoot?
SS... The tear... I want to represent people in a way that they have never dreamed of being presented like. This is based on a relationship that I build with my clients before shooting. It helps me present them in a way that blows them away. I’m also very strobist driven. David Hobby is an amazing guy that makes do with the bare minimum. No expensive light or kit, he will produce something that modifies light to write the 1000 words each image is worth. The idea I have the capacity to change the light to tell a story inspires me but also scares be because it can all go horribly wrong!

AP: What type of photography is your forte?
SS... I have dabbled in everything... The only thing that comes naturally to me is portrait photography.

AP: natural or artificial light... What’s your preference?
SS... I don’t have one. If the natural light doesn’t recreate what I see, I will use artificial light to make it happen. Some people have this thought that “flash photographers” are cheating the system by creating light to represent an image. Truth is that you as a photographer are capturing light. Whether it is natural or artificial, it represents what you see at any particular moment.

AP: Your favourite location and why?
SS: I have to say Hosier lane in Melbourne. Although I have gone there 100 times it doesn’t get boring. It always changes, much like my photography. A close second would have to be Ballarat train station. Amazing warm woods and the old style charm of Ballarat makes a beautiful backdrop

AP: what ambition(s) have you yet to achieve photographically?
SS... I had set to become a relatively famous photographer but this soon changed. The market in photography is so saturated that you have a one in a million chance of being picked up. My ambition now is to make sure that I enjoy my photography while taking it more seriously than a hobby. I hope to change people’s lives. To show them that they can be proud of how they look while representing true imagery of that person.


AP: What was your first paid gig?
SS... A portrait session with a family of 5: It was at a 21st and I had been given 20mins beforehand to get 40 odd photos of the family. Talk about stressful. I was so nervous about it. I had to setup lights and pick backdrops in a room no larger than the standard lounge. One of the subjects hated being photographed so had to motivate him. They ended up loving it and got a heap of prints done. Just goes to show sometimes you have to throw yourself in the deep end in order to motivate yourself to success.

AP: If you could do anything differently what would it be?
SS... I would be more constructive with my money. Many dollars have been wasted on kit that I didn’t need and only wanted. I would trust myself more and make more effort to push myself into situations I am unfamiliar with.

AP: how much time do you spend on post-processing?
SS... This question is like how long is a piece of string. I usually spend no more than 10 mins per image on post processing. If I am producing something for large print or a key image in a set, I will spend up to 30 minutes processing. This is almost at pixel level though. I must say, as the years have progressed, post processing has become a smaller component of the whole package. This is for two reasons; I am faster at it and can get more done in camera.

AP: If you could give one piece of advice to photographers, what is it and why?
SS... Believe in yourself and listen to people. If you don’t believe you are capable of it you won’t try to achieve it. We as photographers are constantly at the critique of clients, onlookers, other photographers, the spouse, family members, and anyone else that wants to put their two bob in. Listen to these people and take it on board. It gets tiring and upsetting at times but without believing in yourself you will get yourself into a feeling of being incapable of producing what you see. Take advise, persist and you will always reap the reward.

AP: Tell us something about yourself that might surprise readers
SS... I hate drawing attention to myself... It makes me nervous in public! Considering I turn up to a shoot with a small truckload of kit, it’s sometimes hard to stop. I have slowly learned to deal with it.