The other side of the lens | South West photographer profile

We sat down with Jacqui to talk photography, life and turning creative passion into a business.

Your photograph, featuring two local boys in the surf, is featured as the Mail’s Facebook banner photo at the moment. Can you tell us a bit about the shot?

This photo is of my son and his best friend.

They’ve been a bit like brothers since they shared a split pre-primary/grade 1 glass two years ago.

There are lots of sleepovers and adventure times which usually at some stage include a beach visit.

How did you start your journey into photography?

I bought my first SLR camera in a backpackers in San Diego in the early 90’s and learnt to photograph whilst backpacking the globe.  

When I returned home the photography bug had well and truly found a home in me and it wasn’t long before I was offered paid jobs.

I fell into the wedding industry by being in the right place at the right time, really, and back then I was one of three photographers in Margaret River.

Being the only female I had a niche market that rapidly expanded.

For me the drive behind my photographs is the feeling I get from seeing the world in new ways. 

Being in the moment in new places and having the drive (or some would call it need) to go to new places and do new things.

I enjoy finding a life in things seemingly sterile. – shapes and textures inspire me, old things, old sheds, people ...places… its been said I can find beauty in anything which I truly think there is. 

What sets the South West apart from other locations you’ve visited, in terms of photographic results and challenges?

The South West is stunningly gorgeous as we all know.

I think the passion is finding new angles, new lines, new ways to enjoy what we have here.

I am amazed that despite having lived here for over twenty years I can still travel well trodden paths and still find things I've never seen before.

I often make myself stop in or go to places today,  not ‘one day’, but today. 

I stop on the side of the road in some bizarre place because something catches my eye. That’s what I get a buzz from.

Do you enjoy taking part in photographic projects? How often do you get to collaborate with other South West creatives?

I received a few awards in the early days through the Small Business Awards and have had a number of exhibitions at wineries. 

I’ve met a lot of cool people and been privy to ‘access all areas’ in some great situations.

I love the opportunities and situations the paid work created, just as much doing it for my own satisfaction.

What can fans of your work expect from you in the future? 

With the massive influx of photographers in the area over the past 10 years its been a while since I've made a living from photography.

At the peak of my career I had two other photographers shooting for my business (Soul Photography) at one stage. Times changed and I had to change with it.  

I shoot repeat and word-of-mouth clients these days, and not many days go by that I don’t have a collection of new images to play with… for me ...even if only on my phone…

Yes my iPhone 6 is a 128mb and always filling up!

I’ve not long completed my Diploma in Counselling and work as a Disability Support Worker.

Human beings fascinate me and I have deep desire to find a way to reconnect the fragileness of our existence somehow. This is where I see my future employment heading.

Though my photography is like my oxygen… It will aways be part of who I am.

Check out more of Jacqui’s work here:

Website / Instagram / Facebook

Contact Jacqui at jscounsel@mail.com

I bought my first SLR camera in a backpackers in San Diego in the early 90’s and learnt to photograph whilst backpacking the globe.  When I returned home the photography bug had well and truly found a home i me and it wasn’t long before I was offered paid jobs.. I fell into the wedding industry by being in the right place at the right time really and back then I was one of three photographers in Margaret River and being the only female I had a niche market that rapidly expanded..