Millicent, the small town in South Australia where I grew up, was quiet and quaint. With not much to do, my father and I often took walks around the lake, where I enjoyed capturing photos.

One day, on a drive home, I made him pull over so I could photograph this windmill. The flowers and the sky were so beautiful, and I was happy to capture that bird just in time.

Some days, my big sis would visit. She was my idol, and I had to do whatever she was doing. At the time, she was a model. This was when I had an idea to make her climb this tree, where I took photos of her.

I had this love before I knew it, and only recently began to rekindle it in my early 20s.

Growing up, my Nonno (Italian for Grandpa) was a major role model. He was an artist in many ways—he carved harps from wood, created cabinets with his paintings installed into them, and naturally had an eye for anything. I admired him and his work deeply.

From a young age, I knew my family had an artistic background and natural talent. However, I often felt disconnected from it.

While Millicent was a lovely, peaceful town, the idea of being an artist wasn’t something that seemed possible. Life was simple, and career paths felt straightforward. Our school removed creative classes in favour of more traditional subjects. My talented Nonno worked at a mill, and my father worked his first job for 50 years.

With all this in mind, it’s no wonder I never considered art as a potential career. But I always sensed there was more to life, so I moved away to explore new possibilities.

That tiny town sparked big questions in my life, ones that continue to guide my journey today.

Today, I am living on the Gold Coast, where I’ve been fortunate to meet with the right people in the industry—mentors and creatives who have shared their knowledge and experience with me.

Being self-taught, I’ve found that real-life experience has been far more valuable than formal study. Working hands-on, learning through trial and practice, and being surrounded by those who do this every day has shaped my approach in a way that a classroom never could.

Photography has brought so much joy to my life. I am able to use creative gifts I otherwise would have thought would be useless. This brain has always been overloaded with unlimited imagination and ideas, and it now finds rest since I use it all up. It is so fulfilling.

Nothing makes me happier than bringing ideas to life—imagining settings, capturing them, and sharing them with my family and my clients. In many ways, I’m living my childhood dream.