NZPhotographer Issue 46, August 2021

WHAT TIPS/TRICKS HAVE YOU PICKED UP
FROM BEING A SECOND SHOOTER AT
WEDDINGS? DO YOU THINK YOU’D LIKE
TO BECOME A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
ONE DAY?
I did pick up a few great tips when shooting
weddings. Firstly, always be ready to snap that
shot. Secondly, continually scour the crowd
for the ‘moments’, for example, the shot of
a beaming great grandmother as her great
grandchild is placed in her lap. The shot of a
proud mother or father smiling and crying happy
tears. The hug of absolute joy between friends.
Second shooting gave me better insight into
finding the special moments and emotions that
can make a photo grab at your heartstrings.
Although I enjoyed it I don’t think that being a
wedding photographer is something that I would
like to do, it can be quite stressful and extremely
hectic and there’s a lot of pressure to capture
the moments.
AS AN EXCIO MEMBER, WHAT DO YOU
MOST ENJOY ABOUT THE COMMUNITY?
I love it - Excio is a fantastic initiative for
photographers. It differs from other social media,
such as Instagram, in that it is based solely on
showcasing photographers and their images,
building a community that allows people to
showcase their skills, learn from others and
support like-minded photographers. I absolutely
love looking at all the images from the other
talented members and seeing how they have
captured moments in the world. Supporting
charities is also an important element of Excio
that I love.
HOW DO YOU SUPPORT / PLAY A ROLE IN
#PHOTOGRAPHYFORGOOD?
#PhotographyForGood is a fantastic initiative
that the world really needs right now. Covid has
impacted everything and this has an affect on
our mental health even if we have had minimal
impact from Covid. Photography is something
that allows people to view amazing images of
moments in time, it showcases the beauty in
the world and allows people to focus on the
wonders of the world and the people in it.
For me personally, photography is my happy
place. I work a stressful job (Mental Health
Nurse) and doing photography has increased
my appreciation of the world and what’s in
it. I observe so much more of the wonders
of nature, I pay more attention to people
and I see more of the kindness in the world.
#PhotographyForGood not only allows people
to appreciate the world we live in but it also
helps support charities that make a difference.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE KNOW ABOUT
YOU OR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?
I have a bit of a weird quirk when it comes to
going out to take photos. I always arrive at my
destination coffee in hand and have learned
to shoot while holding my coffee cup! If I’m
shooting in town I’ll grab a takeaway on my
way to where I’m shooting, if I’m shooting out
of town I fill my insulated travel mug and take
it with me. I have the art of holding a camera
and my coffee cup down pat and can shoot
pretty much anything while holding my coffee
and having a sip in between shots. The things a
caffeine addict will do!!
WHAT ARE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY HOPES
AND DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE?
Ah so so many hopes and dreams for the future.
I would absolutely love to become a wildlife/
nature photographer full time and travel around
the world capturing moments. Something else
I would love to do is more street photography
with different cultures around the world, I love
people and enjoy talking with different cultures
to learn more about them and I would love to
showcase this in imagery. One of my biggest
hopes is to watch the Northern Lights and
capture this amazing phenomenon with my
camera. I was going overseas last year to do this
but obviously had to cancel when Covid reared
its ugly head but I will do it one day!
ANY INSPIRING WORDS TO LEAVE US
WITH?
I came across this quote a while back by Aaron
Siskind and I love it...
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching,
of loving. What you have caught on film is
captured forever... It remembers little things,
long after you have forgotten everything”.
WHERE CAN WE SEE MORE OF YOUR
PHOTOS?
@Deb-Ford-Photography-106143827985435
@debfordphotography
excio.gallery/deb
NZPhotographer
August 2021
49