We love sharing these personal profiles of our favourite Australian professional photographers! Find out all about the person behind the lens in our Q&A series.
Susan Bradfield Photography, Brighton VIC
How did you get started as a photographer?
I have always tinkered with photography but my profession was physiotherapy. I took up photography as a hobby when we moved to live as expats in Zurich Switzerland, and I started my own photography business there and when we moved back to Melbourne.
What did life look like before photography?
Physiotherapy and a mum to my two kids.
Tell us about a day in the life of a professional photographer …
Set up and shoot in the morning, finish by noon, edit and admin in the afternoon. Sometimes shoot in the late afternoon.
Do you have a special story to share?
I have the usual poonami stories by nudie babies in the studio… I have had mums who can’t move with hysterical laughter to be able to help clean up, and have had to provide t-shirts so Dads can travel home in a hygienic way! On a different note, one thing I love about my job is having the time to talk to clients as everyone has a special story to share.
If you could photograph 1 thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Probably wild animals on African safari, however I really struggle to be locked into one genre.
What is the best thing about your job?
To be cliched….doing what I love as a job. Most aspects don’t feel like work.
Tell us something we don’t know about professional photography …
You need many hats – being a professional photographer in most cases means running a small business which means over 50% of your time is spent doing other activities that do not involve holding a camera.
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be doing?
Probably physiotherapy and feeling creatively muted!
Here’s a blank cheque! What are you going to spend it on for your business?
A huge warehouse-style fully set up (to my specifications) studio.
If you could photograph someone famous, who would it be and why?
This is the hardest question ever.
Initial reaction: Audrey Hepburn or Freddie Mercury!
At the moment, I would love to do a portrait of Adam Goodes. All Aussies will cringe, but I was living overseas when all the ‘drama’ went down plus I’m not an AFL follower, so I was completely unaware: head in the sand. Since returning I have only just learnt how bad it was, but also, learned about his journey. I find him vulnerable and inspirational and brave and I would love to tell his story in a shoot.
WEBSITE
www.susanbradfieldphotography.com
www.facebook.com/susanbradfieldphotography
www.instagram.com/susanbradfieldphotography
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