So here I am ... so many changes over the past 12 months....

* new house

* new school for my son

* new GALLERY & STUDIO for Elysian Photography is open at the Penguin Market

~ a NEW LIFE CREATED!!

My journey to date has been full of steep mountains and flat open spaces, but with every day I open my eyes to the sun, is a new opportunity to forge even further ahead.

Elysian Photography has emerged from its very humble beginnings as Kim Ogden Photography ~ my skills improving and my own style emerging.

A year of taking as many sunrises and sunsets as I could capture has given me some photographs which are still amongst my favourites.

And sometimes the beauty of the sunset is not what we see in front of us, but is actually the reflection of what has happened behind when we weren't looking. 

I was pondering today on where I am at the moment and feeling like I hadn't gotten very far, when I paused to look back on the journey behind me.... and it was then that I realised that although I may h...

I LOVE SPRING ~ it's that simple.

Such a beautiful season with new life everywhere.... blossoms, little birds and flowers everywhere you look.

My love of taking children's photos can often be hampered by the weather, so when the opportunity came along to open a small studio next to my Gallery / Shop at the Penguin Market of course I said YES!!

And then thought.... what have I done!!

Lucky for me, Brian (the wonderful husband of Karen, my partner in the shop) came to my rescue. Using all recycled materials he made my vision a reality and so the Elysian Studio was created.

Although a small space, it is perfect for young families that want to bring children in for a potrait, and it has been well recieved amongst market goers.

With such a warm and inviting feel, the studio is a good option for those just wanting a few photos, and has seen children, families, best friends and couples all enjoy a moment in time captured by Elysian Photography.

So excited!!!!

Thanks to the amazing talents of Erica from The Island Creative, Elysian Photography now has a gorgeous new website!

It is still a work in progress but I am happy to say that I think Erica has captured exactly the feelings I hope to evoke in you as you browse through my site.

 

So here we are almost 2 years since my journey began (EEEEEEKKKK…. I haven’t been a very good pen-pal, but here’s what’s been happening) ….

Since the last time I posted…. well I could list all the things but I’m a firm believer in looking forward not back, so suffice it to say there have been some MAJOR lifestyle changes which in turn have been reflected in my photography.

I think you’ll find my photography has taken on a softer look which I believe is a reflection of a more relaxed me

(even rubs off on my youngest…. very zen-like)

I enjoyed my time rising early for sunrises and contemplating life over some very beautiful sunsets and of late I’m often to be found lying in the long grass following a spider, bee or some other creepie~crawlie!

My latest ventures for Elysian is to expand further into capturing precious moments for families and bringing a touch of Elysian to some niche Tasmanian businesses.

So where to next? …. a little birdie told me that there might be some Elysian news...

Ah, the crossroads… that point in the journey where fear, self-doubt and anxiety rule.

So where to from here? Do I plough forward and continue the journey, or do I thank the conductor and get off at the next stop?

All my life I have taken those first tentative steps and then allowed my own self-doubt send me back to my box… BUT I am different this time.

I started the journey from a different place (a safer place – one where I wasn’t running from, but instead adventuring beyond the borders) … and this time I am travelling light.     I’ve sent the baggage on a slow train back to the past, packed my backpack and off I have set.

Along the way I have chatted to fellow passengers, exchanging stories of the journey so far, sharing travel advice and tips for enjoying the views along the way.

Far from what I once was...

Now in the past if I have been on a trip, I’ve had to have the itinerary planned, tickets booked (and photocopied in triplicate), travel insurance, immunisations against ev...

My Photography Journey is well under way… cruising along and enjoying the view and picking up tips and hints along the way.

 Wynyard Wharf… Inglis River

Now some of you may (or may not, depending on how interested you are in my blog) have noticed that I haven’t been around for a few days. Yes, I do apologise but had to work over the weekend. Whilst I do try and work as much of my three jobs from home, weekends usually see me off doing a Flaschengeist tasting party in someone’s home.

But work and bad weather did not mean I was idle in my down-time. I managed to sneak out before work and after work (an YES I did remember to keep, jumper, beanie, scarf and gloves in my car this time!)…. still felt a bit like a frozen Eskimo though.

With grey overcast weather I was struggling a little to pick up any nice shots and was feeling a little disheartened. I managed to capture two sunsets and a sunrise, and took a few photographs down around the Wynyard wharf. Unfortunately time constraints meant...

We’ve travelled together from the beginning.

We’ve journeyed to the stars and back… next stop…. THE BEACH

Now you will recall from my first post, that I am neither a nature lover NOR an outdoorsie type. But when choosing a place to go and take photos it’s usually the sand and surf that beckons me.

Maybe it’s the calming sound of the waves breaking on the shore, or maybe it’s the fresh air gently caressing my face (except of course when it’s blowing a gale and raining!!)

But I think its more the peaceful feeling that standing there alone brings.

Standing on the edge of world, just breathing in the beauty.

Now who wouldn’t love to soak in the beauty of a place like this?

Who wouldn’t be drawn to capture it on film?

But it’s become more than that to me. Yes my photos are “lovely” and show a gorgeous piece of my corner of the world…. but now I want more!

I have an insatiable desire to better my photography. Not so that I can impress you (although that would be a nice bonus!). Not so that I...

So after my earth shattering realisation that I was definitely NOT a photographer, you would think I threw my hands in the air and retreated back the security and safety of my computer…. well, as tempting as it was, I have kept at it.

Taking a long hard look at my efforts made me decide that I was going to have to get some help – with photography that is (anything else is a whole ‘nother story…lol).

So back I went to Paul to pick his brains, lucky he has a few and didn’t mind sharing his knowledge. Now he’s a get down amongst it type of photographer, and loving his photos as much as I do I had to shed a little of my rigid way of thinking.

Advice #1 was get myself a tripod. My photography was “shaky” enough without the added noise of my unsteady hands being added to the picture. So off I set to find a “bargain”. Very proudly I announced to Paul the next time we spoke that I had found one for $30…. if I was expecting praise… I was not going to get it. Instead he “explained” in famous Pa...

So I have been bitten by the photography bug … what now?  Will my life EVER be the same again?

Will I ever just want to lay in bed and enjoy the electric blanket? Or am I now destined to be tormented by the dawns breaking light or star trails and super moons?

So, seeing as how I am now a “photographer“, I take my newly charged (and dusted) camera up to my favourite vantage point (Table Cape, Wynyard) in the pitch black.

I AM GOING TO TAKE AMAZING PHOTOS OF THE STARS!! 

(cough, cough, splutter, choke….. please excuse me while I wipe the dribble from my chin and the coffee off the screen)

So, in thin jumper I set out on my first night photographic venture. Took the youngest son with me to show him how to shoot an aurora (of course… didn’t you hear me say I was a professional)!  Park the car, get out – OMG IT’S FREEZING!!!  No-one told me I would get COLD being a photographer! Grab my camera (tripod? what’s a tripod?) and set off to stand beside the other “professionals“.

Turn the...