This was the first time the three of us have ever been on a road-trip together. It was my first time visiting this part of South Australia. My first time photographing on Yorke Peninsula. Way too many firsts, which, at least to me, is the entire point of life.
Why We Were There
We weren’t planning a holiday to Point Pearce. I was hired to photograph a shed that is being renovated and restored as part of a living space for an Aboriginal Elder who had since passed away. The project brought us to a part of South Australia I hadn’t visited previously. It gave us a few days to experience the landscape and switch off from the city.
The client had booked a large four-bedroom Airbnb and Jamie and Shadow were, generously, allowed to tag along.
Staying At Whispering Winds by Country Getaways
A beautiful four-bedroom Airbnb, in the middle of a paddock. A wide expanse of wheat fields as far as the eye can see. We spent most of our time in the living room, in front of the combustion fire and on the deck and walking around with Shadow in the front yard and the back yard. It was glorious. The place gave me a sense of being away from everything else and everyone else. We had carried our own firewood from Adelaide – and our own bean bag – and the property has a couple of MASSIVE couches in the living room, which were super comfortable and great to lounge on.
We appreciated the water-pressure in the shower every single day.
The exterior of the property photographs well against the sky and the earth and the green pasture. If there was one word I had to choose to describe my experience at this property, it would be “expansive”. I kept repeating that the view from my bathroom window reminded me of the Windows Wallpaper.
See what I mean by Windows Wallpaper below! Nothing for miles. Serenity. And the wind definitely does more than just whisper!
The Assignment: Photographing A Place With A Story
Photographing a utilitarian structure, surrounded by the beauty of Point Pearce, was entirely new to me. The materials, the construction, the textures of the building and the surrounding bush and ocean, and the changing light, gave me some remarkable compositions. They allowed me to share a visual narrative of not only the structure itself, but of the land.
I particularly enjoyed photographing the interiors, especially because it was tight in terms of space and I love a challenge. The warm wood of the interiors, alongside the view of the ocean from the windows creates this slightly otherworldly play of light and colour, which I enjoy immensely.
It was also the first time I had photographed on formally recognised Aboriginal land. I found the experience unexpectedly moving. There was a sense of depth to the place that was difficult to articulate. An awareness that I was photographing a landscape with a very long human history.
The team hard at work below, making the space ready to be photographed at this stage of the renovation. Thank you Roxane, Zach and Dash. It was a LOT of fun hanging out with the three of you.
Ocean and beach views next to the shed at Point Pearce. You will need a 4×4 to reach this spot.
A few moments of Jamie, Shadow and me at the beach, at the Airbnb property, enjoying the fire, carting firewood and a brief jaunt to Port Victoria.
Journey Back Home
We went to Point Pearce because I had a job to photograph. We left having photographed much more than the project itself, which I entirely expected since I’ve been doing exactly that for the last 22 years of my professional career. Incredibly grateful that a work assignment gave me the opportunity to experience a landscape, a property and a few quiet days with Jamie and Shadow and we made new friends. Sometimes I do wonder, “What is this life?!”
Some photographs of the Yorke Peninsula landscape on our drive back. Photographed from the Ute while Jamie was driving.
I work with accommodation providers, property managers, tourism operators and brands to create photography and editorial stories that give people a sense of what it actually feels like to be somewhere – and can be shared across websites, social media and publications. To view more of my travel-related features on this blog, please view the EyesForDestinations category.
I am an Adelaide based multi-disciplinary photographer, artist & independent publisher, and am available for photography, writing, art commissions. Please call or text 0429048917 or email [email protected] View Pricing.
