Interview with Simon Beedle
Simon Beedle is an international award winning landscape photographer, based in Australia.
Simon was born in Europe and moved down with his family to live in New Zealand where he found his interest in photography. In his early twenties Simon moved across to Australia where his love for photography advanced into a career.
Simon is a completely self-taught photographer who works in harmony with nature, uses available light, slow film and small apertures, leading to exposures of 30 minutes and sometimes even more. His images are profound and completely captivating. Simon continuously endeavours to capture amazing light and scenery through his camera. This is due to his enthusiasm for photography, his consideration to detail and his ability to carefully prepare for each shoot.
Also check out more of Simon’s captivating photographs on his website:
www.simonbeedle.com
Here is the interview:
1. How did you get started? Your first job? I started my career into photography very young, having a camera around my neck from around 13 years old. I started shooting friends surfing and beach scenes, which progressed into landscape photography after discovering the work of Peter Lik and Ken Duncan.
I purchased a panoramic film camera in 2009 and been hard at it since. In-regards to my first job, I mainly freelance and sell my work as fine art prints, but occasionally take on assignments that suit. 2. What interests you most about working in Photography?
I love taking images and travel, so those are the things that inspired me to start a career in photography. 3. What elements of the work bring you the most stress? The hardest part of my job is marketing, as these days there is so many photographers and standing out and making a living is difficult. 4. What kind of usage agreements do you have on your photography? I sell my work as prints, and I don't need any agreements, but when I sell my images for say, calendars, and books. I have an agreement for a one use only unless otherwise stated, which I get signed by the company. 5. How would you describe your Photography? Fine Art Landscape Photography. 6. How do they advertise or promote your business? Mostly through social media, my website and email marketing. 7. Has social media changed your business? And if so how? Sure has, a great way to promote your work, I use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I feel Instagram is best platform these days, as you can direct market to businesses. 8. What does a typical workday for you look like? Edit, market, accounts and sunrise/sunset shoot. 9. Do you work with a team, and how does it differ from working on your own? I mainly work solo. 10. How much time do you spend on planning, shooting and post production? In which area do you find you time spent most in? Huge amount of prep is a most for landscape photography, watching weather reports, tides, where the sun rises/sets at the location. This is a big part of preparing for a shoot. 11. What advice would you give a photographer starting out? Niche in a subject and perfect your style. This will make you stand out get noticed. Get good business advice, as I find its 20% photography and 80% business and marketing.