Let’s summaries the year that was…
2017 was a really excellent year for me, honestly, I think that this year was extremely successful. I love photographing people on their day of nuptials. I relish that couples (whom I’ve met only a few times beforehand) allow me into their lives for that single, very intense, day in the sunshine. This year, I’ve really focused on the people who play a part surrounding the bride and groom – those involved on the day – to show the B&G and their family unit for who they are and how they interact. It’s about telling their story and their family’s story – remember, the concept of organic wedding photography? That’s the goal at the end of the day!

I think that a real key achievement for me this year was continuing to operate a small business. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy this aspect of professional photography. I enjoy it so much that I’ve encouraged about 25 people I know throughout the year to also consider opening a small business for themselves – not to quit their regular job because that wouldn’t necessarily be good advice – but to trial a small business by converting a hobby or passion into an income. Working for yourself is really inspiring, and I really think that its an experience everyone can learn from. Think of it at professional development!

The third major successful aspect of 2017 was my commitment to content creation. As a ‘service-oriented’ business, there are a ton of portals to get yourself out there, and with the abundance of advertising agencies who are gagging for your hard-earned moola, there are plenty of ways to burn through cash! I directed my energy into creating interesting content for future clients to read on the internet. The stories that I create online have really helped to demonstrate the friendships that I form with my existing clients, that in turn produce fun, interesting and unusual imagery; and develop the organic approach to wedding photography that I practice.

What am I grateful for?
There are numerous groups that I need to thank, for, without them, 2017 would have been far less awesome. I really need to thank my suppliers and vendors. Thank you to Canon CPS for maintaining my camera equipment so that I can stay in action – you saved my butt on an occasion or two! CPS offers top quality service to their clients, and after comparing this support arm with other manufacturers throughout the year, this is what separates Canon from other vendors. It’s the behind-the-scenes service that sets them apart.

A massive thank you to my print lab, framing, and album manufacturer – Queensberry. Based in the heart of sheep country (NZ bro!) the team across the Pacific enables me to provide a complete service to my clients. Their quality and attention to detail is really second to none and is the reason that my clients come back for additional products. I get a ton of positive feedback from couples who love their new artwork! QBY’s collection of products are unique, and my couples thank me time and time again for providing high-end results – where Queensberry forms an instrumental part.

Mostly, an enormous amount of gratitude goes to my wonderful clientele. My clients: brides, grooms, families, couples; I really appreciate that you have entrusted to me a very important role of recording a momentous day of your lives. I have so much fun at every opportunity I have to photograph people. A lot of work goes into the planning of a wedding day, and I really think that I, above all other vendors at a wedding, have the most fun out of anyone. I really cherish the opportunity the lovely couples that I’ve had the pleasure of working with this year – THANK YOU!

Where are the improvements for 2018?
I think that I need to continue to explore interaction. Although details are important on a wedding day, I think that by continuing on my organic wedding photography approach I can achieve the natural, emotional and more powerful imagery that you guys all want to see and receive. In 2018, I’m also going to start entering competitions. I have some cool ideas for a few collections that I’d like to enter into the 2018 AIPP and get some constructive criticism from some other professionals.

So, it’s onwards and upwards from here. From my family to yours, have a wonderful Christmas, and a prosperous New Year.

Cheers!

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Since 2008 I have worked for successful commercial corporate businesses and contributed to online photography and media publications. More recently I became a member of the wedding photography team at GM Photographics on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. GM Photographics is owned by Canon Master Photographer Graham Monro. At GM Photographics we produce stunning wedding photographs for couples across Sydney and NSW every weekend. To say that I am super excited to continually work with GM is an understatement! It is an honour to work with Graham and the team.

For a long time, I had thought of what it would be like running my own small business – working for myself and my own clients. In 2016 I took a leap into establishing my own Portrait and Wedding Photography Studio based in Cremorne on Sydney’s Lower North Shore – building something for myself as opposed to building a brand for someone else.

The beginning…

In May of 2016, I established a studio under my own name. So, why did I choose the name ‘Photographer Pete? I wanted a name that was memorable, simple and clean, yet most of all a brand name that represented me as a person. Most photographers in the business are named “First-name Last-name Photography”, which seems common, boring and over-done. ‘Photographer Pete’ is simple, straightforward, approachable and direct. In many photography businesses, clients are dealing with an individual photographer; so why not name my studio as such?

So what, or who, is Photographer Pete? Who is the person behind the lens?

Photographer Pete is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer based in Cremorne on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. It is run by Peter Hawke – say hello to me on Facebook or Instagram!

So in review, what did 2016 bring? What did I learn?

2016 featured a few ups and downs, but mostly, it showcased the upward potential of what my small wedding and portrait photography business has ahead.

In 2016, I photographed numerous memorable weddings; some of which were in the worst of conditions (remember the June 2016 storms?), and some were spectacular (think Sarah + Alex, Jessica + Paul and Leanne + Nick) as well as some amazing portrait sessions (thinking of Amy + Chris’ sunrise session at Longreef Beach).

I was super delighted to photograph the wedding of my old school friend Mathew and (his now wife) Lauren. I documented many elopements in and around the stunning Sydney Harbour, met many super cool couples, held numerous consultations with brides and grooms, and above all, had more fun in 7 months on my own than over the last 6 years put together.

In the commercial world (which I occasionally dip my toes into) I covered conferences (including cosmetic brand Nucerity and the tech week that was Australian Utility Week) and completed a large landscape photography contract for the newly amalgamated Eastern Beaches Council – You’ll probably see some of my landscape photographs around the internet when you search for public spaces in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs including Milk Beach, Strickland House, Hermit Bay Beach, and Bondi Pavilion to name a few.

But surely the most significant: I was a member of a 3 band team that completed the ENORMOUS e-commerce photography contract for the entire Woolworths supermarket store catalogue; some 80,000 photographs across 26,000 grocery products ranging from fresh fruit to deodorant, bottles of Coca-Cola and cosmetics! I’m not going to lie – that was a massive job!

I learnt that running a business is just as important that the photography itself. I need to be a web developer, SEO expert, marketing guru, social media manager and an accountant just as successfully as a photographer. Client relations and customer service, of course, must come above all else.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank a few groups and individuals. Firstly, all my family and friends – without your amazing level of support and encouragement, I would not be where I am today. Secondly, to my partner Jesamina; without your patience, this wouldn’t be possible. And thirdly, and certainly mostly, to the super awesome and fantastic couples that I’ve worked with throughout the year – I owe an enormous amount of gratitude. Without your support, this studio would simply not exist. I look forward to what lies ahead in 2017; to future meetings, consultations and opportunities.

So with this said: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and many thanks to all those who follow, support, and encouraged me along the way. You guys are awesome….

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