Featured Member Interview- June 2009

This month, Phillip Jones sits down with Kate who took the photos that illustrate our website.

Kate luke

director,  kate luke photography

1. Let's start at the beginning, what's your first memory of photography?

My father was a very keen amateur photographer and I we spent a lot of time together looking at his photographs. Then one year he gave me his camera for my birthday, it was a Pentax spotmatic 35mm with a variety of lenses. I still have it today and it is possibly still my favourite camera. My father has just recently passed away so the feeling for this particular camera and the path that it put me on has really come into a whole new level of significance.

2. Where did you do your photographers training?

I started off doing courses through Canberra's community darkroom facilities, Photo Access, about 15 years ago. Since then I have continued with further short courses through Photo Access but sought to formalise my training by completing an Advanced Diploma at Canberra Institute of Technology. I am halfway through my third year of the Bachelor of Design through CIT, graduating at the end of this year.

3. Are there artistic or professional heroes that inspire your work?

I definitely have a professional hero, Alexia Sinclair (www.alexiasinclair.com) her work is awe inspiring and I have been lucky enough to do some assisting work with her, she is incredible.  Further to Alexia though, I am constantly inspired by my Canberran photographic and creative colleagues (not only in photography, but in design, makeup, film production), there is an amazing amount of talent in Canberra.

4. Is it true what they say about great photographers need to 'see' to be able to capture the 'moment'?

There's a saying, true beauty is not seen with the eyes its felt with the heart, and I think that any photographer that is able to convey the moment so that it touches you beyond the physical representation of an object, is an extremely talented artist.

This is what I strive towards in my personal and professional work.

5. Tell us about the sort of work you specialise in

I love all forms of photography, but particularly working with people whether that be sharing in their wedding day, capturing special family memories, or planning and shooting a fashion campaign, it's fabulous to be able to capture these moments. I especially love being able to bring an image from my own imagination into reality.

6. Is there an ideal client?

I enjoy working with clients whom have a strong sense of what they like, but its also nice building work around a concept you've been able to create for a client, so, not really, I enjoy the differences that each client presents.

7. Is there such a thing as a typical day as a professional photographer?

Yes and no. Yes in that it always challenging, time management, making the lighting work for a particular situation, and in that overcoming these challenges is extremely rewarding, but as far as content every day is definitely different!

8. How do you balance the creative side of your work and the business aspects?

Its important to keep producing creative and personal work. I have several colleagues whom get together sporadically to share images, ideas and experiences. As you're working, its a constant requirement to balance technical and creative demands - but that's part of the appeal for me, seeing the artistic potential and having the technical nouse to achieve what I set out to achieve.

9. Do you think networking aids professional photographers?

I'm sure networking aids everyone - including professional photographers. It can be a very isolated career - you're not working in an office with colleagues, you're pretty much on your own except when you're with clients, and having the opportunity to discuss business ideas and find out what other industries are up to is invaluable.