NZPhotographer Issue 22, August 2019

PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU…
I’m a born and bred Northlander, currently living in
Auckland. I work full time managing a Resene Colorshop
in Botany Downs, Auckland. I am married, a mother of
two sons, and a grandmother of two granddaughters
and one grandson. I’m a passionate gardener (there
is an abundance of roses growing in my garden) and
an avid reader (there is always a book on my bedside
table).
HOW AND WHEN DID YOU GET INTERESTED IN
PHOTOGRAPHY?
I have always had an interest in photography, always
had a camera of some sort going back to the good
old Instamatic. Down the line came a Kodak Digital,
then I progressed to a later model digital. By chance,
I noticed an advertisement for a beginner’s photography
class at Uxbridge Creative Centre in Howick and signed
up. I quickly became hooked! A few months later
I completed an intermediate class. The tutor for both of
these courses was Treve Dromgool so I have her to thank
for my enthusiasm.
DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED GENRE?
Being a gardener and roses my passion, I particularly love
photographing flowers of all types, especially close up/
macro. But I also like photographing animals, (I have a
dog who is a good poser) along with landscapes and
I rather like black and white. I’d love to photograph more
people, I just need willing models!
WHAT ARE YOU SHOOTING WITH?
I recently purchased a Canon 80D. Most of the photos
featured were shot with my previous camera, a Canon
100D.
WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU COME UP
AGAINST WITH PHOTOGRAPHY?
I really had to think hard about this question. For me
personally, I find the only challenge is finding enough
time to do as much photography as I would like.
Hopefully, in a few years, retirement will make that
happen.
HOW DO YOU PUSH YOURSELF TO IMPROVE AND
WHAT DO YOU DO TO GET OUT OF A CREATIVE
SLUMP?
I follow a lot of photography Facebook groups, watch
YouTube tutorials, and read everything I possibly can
to learn as much as I can. Belonging to Lesley Whyte’s
group is a great way to keep me motivated, especially
by having weekly challenges. Sometimes life gets in the
way but the challenges certainly keep me thinking about
the next subject.
HOW DOES BELONGING TO LESLEY’S
‘#WOMENINPHOTOGRAPHY’ GROUP BENEFIT
YOU?
Through this group I have met lots of other women
with the same passion for photography and we help
each other as we are all at different levels of learning.
(Shout out to fellow member Leanne Silver of Argent
Photography who took the photo of me above!).
I feel that being in an all female group allows women to
feel comfortable asking questions that they may not ask
in a mixed group for fear of being laughed at for asking
what they may think of as a silly question or something
that they should know.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE ADVANTAGES ARE OF
BEING A FEMALE PHOTOGRAPHER?
Many people feel more comfortable with a female
photographer. I think we have more empathy which
can be an advantage when photographing families/
children.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
I’m most probably leaning towards selling framed
photography – flowers will obviously feature
predominantly. I am also interested in photographing
people – portraits, lifestyle so am thinking along those
lines.
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU ONLINE?
www.instagram.com/raewynjsmith
albums.excio.io/profile/photoqueen