Looking back it was a big blur, I couldn’t remember how my passion for photography started. My dad loves photography, and since I was small, I was continuously exposed to it. I’ve begun to get more exposed to professional photography when my dad invested in DSLR, and my uncle started to chase his passion for photography, I was a teenager back then. I was still new to it all and never thought I’d love the idea of becoming a photographer. I mean all those expensive gear that I have to buy, all those time I thought I’d waste waiting for the perfect shot, that bulky and heavy equipment that we have to carry around put me off. Most of the time an iPhone will take a good photo for my Facebook and Instagram anyway. Back then the concept of The Wicked Hunt wasn’t even in my mind.

Shot of Perth skyline using Canon G12

Classic view of Florence shot using Canon G12

London Tower Bridge shot using Canon G12

Amalfi Coast, Positano shot using Canon G12

I remembered two years ago; we travelled to Europe for 5 weeks. I had my Canon G12 compact camera and started to roam around Europe to take night photography. At times I would stay up till 2-3 until the crowd disappears to get the photos I wanted. When I got home I knew, I wanted a better camera to better capture my experiences. This was when I started to try an Olympus EPL-5 mirrorless camera. I took that camera to Turkey, Morocco, and Jordan. Fantastic little mirrorless camera, but I wasn’t satisfied.

The Sahara Desert, Morocco shot using Olympus EPL 5

Istanbul Hagia Sophia shot using EPL-5

Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia shot using EPL-5

The Monastery in Petra shot using Olympus EPL 5

Funnily enough, around that time, my Instagram and Facebook feed was bombarded with shots of The Milkyway. I knew exactly what I wanted a camera that would allow me to capture the Milkyway. That’s when I transitioned to Canon 5D mk iii. I remembered taking the 5D in Perth foreshore to take a shot of the Bell Tower. As soon as it finished clicking, I knew exactly this is the camera for me. Now I’m shooting with Canon 5D mark iv, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The camera is bulky, heavy and accessories are expensive. But I’m always left satisfied at the end of the shot.

Bell Tower in Perth Shot using 5D mk iii

Why photography? Why do I love it so much? Why do I call my Photography jouney The Wicked Hunt? Photography helps me bring the best in my life.

1. Photography helps me to become patient and persistent. I realized that you have to be patient to get what you want. Sometimes I have to go back to the same place multiple times to get the shot that I wanted or to slow down and be patient to wait for those perfect moments. It taught me persistence, as a kid I was afraid of the dark, but I don’t let it stop me from going in the middle of the night for some Astrophotography. I realised that in many cases, the most beautiful moments happen at the oddest hours during the most uncomfortable situation. This is why I call it The Wicked Hunt.
2. I also learn to look beyond the surface, to look deeper into the scene or even looking at it from an entirely different perspective. Think outside the box! There’s always something interesting in a frame if you look for it. Sometimes you just have to look harder.
3. Photography is a form of meditation. There’s nothing more soothing than sitting with your camera, watching the lights transform. It’s a bit like a love story. When I feel stressed, pressured and overwhelmed, driving away with my camera and shooting always makes me feel better. It’s like how you focus on your breathing during meditation.
4. Lastly, photography can inspire people to get out of their comfort zone and I truly believe going out of your comfort zone is one of the best things you can do in life. Comfort is a nice place, but nothing grows out of it. I am where I am today because I decided to step out of my comfort zone and so far it’s been an adventure of a lifetime. So one of my mission is to inspire people to do the same, to plan something they never did in their life each year. You never know, you might just find that there’s more to life that then the life you have today.
5. Photography has changed my life. I have a lot to learn but have had great wins that help boost my self-esteem as a photographer. I won a photo competition with Topdeck, I’ve had my photos featured in various news social media, and I now have a good following on my Instagram, and it is continually growing.

So this is my short story on how I get into photography. Now my life mission is to travel the world, explore the places I’ve never been, step out of my comfort zone, inspire others and help those who want to learn how to take beautiful photos. So how do you plan to step out of your comfort zone in 2020?