ceremony - contemplation - reflection

Refining the imagery for Melbourne-based brand Tea and Sympathy. Photographs by Emma Byrnes

It was a couple of years ago that Anna of Sweet Polka and I worked together on the branding/imagery for Melbourne-based brand Tea and Sympathy. 
After recently refining the T & S marketing strategy Anna requested from me a new series of images for the brand that needed to evoke the following - Ceremony. Contemplation. Reflection.
Our mutual friends - James aka SuperMelody and Pauline aka Popcraft - had the perfect home setting to evoke this message. A lifetime of collecting and curating heirlooms plus an intrinsic sense of colour and style meant that props and setting were more-or-less taken care of. And James and Pauline have huge bursts of teal green in their home and this so happens to be the flagship colour for T & S. So it was a no-brainer - combine a workday alongside a much-loved collaborator for a wonderful local brand and a visit with dear friends - bliss!

peacock parade

Photographs by Emma Byrnes

The 2016 Peacock St renovation by Brave New Eco is the little project that could!
Last year this tiny West Brunswick extension and fit-out was awarded a special commendation at the International Green Interior Awards in the residential renovation category and this year it was nominated for the best kitchen in the Dwell Magazine BEST DESIGN 2018 awards. 
It feels great when images taken almost three years ago are still packing a punch.

twist and squat

Kinematics studio in Richmond. Photography by Emma Byrnes

As a photographer one needs to stay flexible in order to twist and squat into all sorts of interesting positions. But over a year ago I went to get out of bed and I could barely walk. It took me many weeks of trial and error and word of mouth recommendations to find myself on the doorstep of Kinematics Studio but gosh I am glad I did. I can’t even describe to you my admiration for the folks at this physiotherapy/pilates studio. The expertise of their practitioners helped me rehabilitate and propel me back on the rapid road to recovery.
And of course during my visits I was lucky to forge a relationship with co-directors Pep Karulus/Rachel Crampton who then hired me to photograph their new Richmond studio for use with their branding/social media (by this stage I was once again nimble-footed!)
The shoot encompassed interiors shots and product shots with Rachel jumping in to effortlessly provide some context on the pilates equipment. It was great to offer some of my own expertise back to this dynamic duo - long may their business thrive!

warmth and precise artistry

Photographs by Emma Byrnes

Renowned Melbourne hair and makeup artist Dana Leviston has opened her beautiful new Collins St art-deco studio.
I have had the pleasure of working alongside Dana this year as she sought out my branding and small business expertise to consolidate her position as Melbourne’s go-to makeup/hair artist. I am looking forward to working with Dana to further develop her brand in 2019.

For those reading, be sure to keep Dana in mind if you ever need makeup or hair.
She is the most uber-talented, experienced, approachable and mellow makeup artist out there. And that’s no exaggeration.

Some of these snaps I took featured on Frankie Magazine to celebrate Dana’s launch party.

pause and reflection

Jing Wei Bu in her home studio. Photographs by Emma Byrnes

Sometimes all you need is a suite of fresh images to demonstrate what it is you do, who you are or why you do it!

Chinese-born Adelaide-based visual artist Jing Wei Bu was in such a position. Jing Wei herself takes lovely photographs but she needed an outsider to capture the everyday atmosphere in her home studio.

So she booked in a morning session and we had a delightful time. In amongst flurried bouts of activity and creativity she carved out quiet pauses for us to reflect on our progress with Chinese tea ceremonies and conversation. 

If you require some extra images for your website/social media profiles don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We could enjoy a version of Jing Wei’s “pause and reflection” in your working environment.

fair share fare

Photographs by Emma Byrnes

Amongst many other ambitious projects, Canadian Métis (Indigenous)/Australian artist-researcher, Jen Rae has established Fair Share Fare - a collaborative, multi-platform art project focused on future food security in a time of climate change. And for the second year running I have had the great pleasure of documenting REFUGE at Arts House for Jen.  

REFUGE is now in year three of a five-year project that examines potential climate-related disasters and traces how we might collectively respond. It explores the role of artists and cultural institutions in times of climate catastrophe…extreme heat, rising sea levels, forced migration, increased spread of diseases, social unrest, extinctions.

In 2018, the theme for REFUGE was PANDEMIC - artists examined a pandemic event and what happens when the risk of contagion mean no public gathering?

In Jen’s project - a horticulturalist, a masseur and a beekeeper each had significant roles to play and she places them in an immersive spa-meets-science-lab-meets-urban-agriculture environment.
In most instances during this documentation process the light was extremely low which for a photographer can be very challenging as light is what we paint with! But I think the limitations allowed for some dramatic images.

For in-depth detail and photographs of the project visit Jen’s website.

capturing the golden moments

Photographs by Emma Byrnes

Thanks to Jetstar Australia for featuring a lengthy photo essay and interview on my Vietnamese adventure times in their most recent July issue. It was great reflecting on the special time spent there with my family in 2016 and a reminder that as a photographer it is always worth getting up before the sun rises to capture the golden moments :-)

These images first appeared on my travel blog - Lifestyle Traveller - that I keep with my husband, Peter Barrett.