Photography is Poetry
"PHOTOGRAPHY IS A WAY OF FEELING, OF TOUCHING, OF LOVING. WHAT YOU HAVE CAUGHT ON FILM IS CAPTURED FOREVER. . . IT REMEMBERS LITTLE THINGS, LONG AFTER YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING."
AARON SISKIND.
A Bit About Me
I received my first point and shoot camera at the age of 17 and since then I've loved the magic of being able to record moments of life happening to me and around me. I treasure the photos I took many years ago with their ability to remind me of times that were important enough to want to capture and hold close. The power of photography and its ability to tell a story. Those photos now serve as a conduit to the past as they trigger in my mind the narrative of life at that time.
Throughout the years I've continued documenting the stories of my life; capturing those moments that only ever happen once. Stories of family and friends, travel and the specialness of the every day. I enjoy a range of photography and work in many genres: macro, travel, people, nature, pets and sport. Event photography and sport photography enable me to really explore the challenge of capturing the action and reactions of participants - the strength and raw emotion.
In 2022 I joined the Gold Coast Photographic Society and am now an A Grade member, as well as being a member of the QPS and the APS. I am a Fellow with the Australian Photographic Society (FAPS). My images have received numerous Awards and Acceptances in National and International competitions. In 2024 I received a Commended in Australasia"s Top Emerging Photographer Awards for my Documentary Series and a Top 30 for Portraits.
My husband Steve (Margolis) started assisting me in 2024, when I occasionally needed a second photographer on site to help cover the different arenas. His occasional support has become almost full-time and he willingly dons the camera and comes along when asked.
Steve has experience in dressage and show jumping, having learnt these skills with the renowned Betty Donalson.
Thanks Steve for always being my support person!!
Awards
A selection of National and International awarded images
Determination
And Over
Incursions Into Antarctica
Helping Hands
2025
- Gold Medal ~ World Warriors Circuit. Watching
- Jury Choice ~ Maurakashi International Circuit. On the Phone
- Jury Choice ~ Maurakashi International Circuit. Watching
2024
- First Place ~ Australian Photographic Society Mini Theme Competition. Theme 'Amazing Women': Master Female Athletes in Competitions
- PSA Gold ~ Dhaka Awards Circuit PPS: Incursions into Antarctica
- Club Silver ~ Ujjivan Circuit J2: Determination
- HM ~ Dhaka Awards Circuit PPS: Colours on the Hill
- HM ~ Rose Circuit J2: The Salt Workers
- E CM ~Ujjivan Circuit J1: Eyes on the Ball
- E CM ~ Ujjivan Circuit J1: Colours on the Hill
- Australasia's Top Emerging Photographers: Commended ~ Documentary
- Australasia's Top Emerging Photographers: Top 30 - Portrait
- February ~ Achieved Associate Honours with the Australian Photographic Society: AAPS
- Very few competitions entered this year
- December ~ Achieved Fellow Honours with the Australian Photography Society: FAPS
2023
- December ~ Achieved Licentiate Honours with the Australian Photographic Society: LAPS
- November ~ Certificate of Achievement, appointed A Grade Photographer with the Gold Coast Photographic Society
- Best Performer Mono Digital for 2023 ~ Gold Coast Photographic Society
- Gold Medal ~ Circle of Confusion Circuit J4: Incursions Into Antarctica
- Gold Medal ~ CRNA GORA Circuit Nilksic: Incursions Into Antarctica
- Gold Medal ~ Rise of the Earth PPS Circuit: Incursions Into Antarctica
- Gold Medal ~ Golden Lion Photo Circuit: And Over
- 2nd Place ~ Non A Grade social documentary ~ S.E.Q. Salon: Incursions Into Antarctica
- 2nd Place ~ Non A Grade Open Monochrome ~ S.E.Q. Salon: Strike
- 3rd Place ~ Non A Grade Open Monochrome ~ S.E.Q. Salon: Elegance
- 3rd Place ~ Non A Grade nature ~ S.E.Q. Salon: Breakfast
- Bronze ~ APU Salon: Helping Hands
- HM ~ Rise of the Earth APS Circuit: Incursions Into Antarctica
- HM ~ Endless Memories PPS Circuit: Togetherness
- HM ~ Sandven Image House: Eyes On The Ball
- HM ~ Photomedians Circuit China: Innocence
- HM ~ Photomedians Circuit China: Splash
- HM ~ CRNA GORA Circuit Kolasin: Strike
- Merit ~ QIDC Gold Coast: Incursions Into Antarctica
- Merit ~ DigiRap Salon: Fast And Furious
- Achieved Genius (G.APS) Distinction Award (Agile Photographic Society)
2022
- Commenced AB Grade with the Gold Coast Photographic Society.
- Did not enter any competitions
Official Photographer for:
- Sportograf (IRONMAN branded events): Including Mooloolaba Sprint Triathlon; Noosa Swim, Noosa Run; Noosa Triathlon
- PostRace
- FinisherPix
- Equestrian events: Including Showjumping, Equitation, Gymkhanas, Hack and Sporting for Nerang, Southport, Tamborine, Moggill, Equestrian Gold Coast Club, Police and Emergency Services Equestrian Games and Logan Village pony club competitions.
- Brookfield Show Society - Show Jumping Event
- Mudgeeraba Show - Equestrian Events
- UniSports National competitions: Including Futsal; Track & Field events; Indoor Volleyball, Beach Volleyball; Sailing
- Multiple Raw Challenge Events
- National Bridge Congress
- Pan Pacific Masters Games: Track & Field events; Cross Country; Boxing
- Border Bolt, The Cut and Wild Earth Coastal High Trail Runs
- Abbey Medieval Festival
- Behind The Scenes Photographer: Blue Wave Productions; M80 Property Group
With a strong background in dance - both as a dancer and teacher - triathlons and other sporting endeavours I have a highly developed eye for understanding and capturing movement and I bring this expertise into my photography.
I hold a current Blue Card for working with children.
Valmae
Gear I Use
Camera bodies
Canon R5 x 2
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
Lenses: Canon
EF 24 ~105mm f/4L IS II USM
EF 70 ~ 200mm f/4L IS USM
EF 100 ~ 400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM
EF Macro 100mm f/2.8LIS II USM
RF 70 ~ 200 f/2.8 L IS USM
Lenses: Sigma
50mm f/1.4 DG 77 Art series
18 ~ 35mm f/1.8 DC 72 Art serie
Manfrotto Tripod
Manfrotto Monopod
I am a member of Canon Professional Services.
