A banker turned photographer seems like the most unusual career transition, however find out why it worked perfectly!
My Background
After working six years in banking at one of Australia’s top four banks, I found myself at a crossroads. While I thoroughly valued my time at NAB’s headquarters, I was slowly pulled towards a different path - one that led me to the outdoors, sparked my creativity, and deepened my appreciation for nature. That path became photography.
I’ve been a photographer since June 2022, as a second-generation photographer it feels like photography was always quietly lurking in the background, waiting for the right moment to come into focus
I purchased my first professional camera in 2022 (Canon EOS R5 and 2 lens) not knowing if it would be collecting photos or collecting dust & cob webs, investing 15k for camera equipment certainly has its risks but I believe success and risk are intertwined with each other. In the beginning, with each photo I captured of nature whether it was a flower adorned with perfectly curved raindrops or a bird revealing the intricate architecture of its wings - I became increasingly enchanted by photography and its ability to reveal hidden details the human eye cannot see. Safe to say I have not seen any cob webs on my camera yet.
As a side note I often joke that I should be the last person doing photography, I am certainly not the first person suggesting to take group photos, my career and university background is banking & finance which is the total opposite to creativity. Life itself is ever changing and it's understandable our goals or interest may also be ever changing.
3. Factors that triggered the thought of doing photography
1. Destress
As life's stresses continue to grow I believe the objects around us can help us to destress. whether its natural plants that a visually calming, music that leaves you with positive thoughts, or a photo that brings back good valuable memories.
This growing admiration for the effect a photo can have transformed into me wanting to create my own pictures that uniquely effects what someone feels in their heart.
2. outdoors
A 9 to 5 office job has its benefits and accelerated my growth as an individual, yet a downside I experienced was the sedentary lifestyle of sitting down for majority of the day negatively impacted my overall health. This became an increasingly difficult hurdle to overcome despite constant exercising & dieting.
Photography provides great fun and purpose to explore new places one would not necessarily chase after. Enduring the struggle of a challenging hike to be rewarded with that breathtaking photo at the summit of the hill. The physical endurance combined with the benefits of being surrounded by nature felt like my body gave me a tick of approval that previously had not existed.
3. Creativity
I was never a creative person, honestly my creativity was terrible in my early years. I would say mid 20’s I started to become more creative in my writing, experimented with taking singing lessons, learning to write left handed, and be more creative in the way I viewed the world.
This started to slowly reveal the pathway of photography as something I could succeed in. It can be very fulfilling to turn a weakness into a strength and discover a not so discovered side of yourself.
My Daily Activities
My daily time is split between the two business I have - In House Gallery and IHG photography.
Inhousegallery.com is a website dedicated to showcasing & selling my best wildlife and landscape photos. Although the website is up and running I'm currently finishing the product testing phase for it to be launched very soon.
Ihgphotography.com.au is website dedicated to providing portrait and food photography services in my hometown Perth, Australia. I have a passion to learn everything about photography which has lead me to explore all types of photography and learn everything possible.
Advice for others?
Everyone’s pathway should be unique to them, if you’re having thoughts about stepping into the world of photography whether just as a hobby, or as means to receive side income, or full-time aspirations there are definitely a list of benefits.
I would compare photography to fruits, there are so many different types of fruits to suit your tastebuds and there are several types of photography that can appeal to a range of people, i.e. landscape photography, wildlife, black & white, portraits of people, weddings, maternity, fashion, retro film. Today with the world of Facebook and Instagram there are plentiful of opportunities to showcase your artwork to people around the world and also learn from others.
To succeed in taking that next step it's important to have a plan and plan b, be a little bold, and allow time for success to blossom much like a beautiful mango tree (it can take up to 7 years for a mango tree to begin producing fruit).
I personally would describe my photography experience as enjoyable medicine in a world where it has never been as important as it is now to have.