I still call Australia home.
Even though I never quite felt like I belonged there… even though it’s been seven years since I left. Six since I was last there.
It’s strange to return now, not just as someone visiting family, but as a photographer. As an educator. As someone who once took blurry, badly lit photos in my backyard and on our hikes and adventures with our dogs… and now teaches others how to create intentional, magical art with their dogs.
In November, I’m going back. And I’m bringing my camera.
Photographing the Australian Bush — With New Eyes
When I left Melbourne, I didn’t know what aperture was. I didn’t understand light. I didn’t think about composition or story or visual flow.
But the bones of what I loved- that was already there.
Now, I get to revisit those same bush tracks, tall gums and winding paths with a new perspective. A photographer’s eye. A storyteller’s heart. And honestly? I can’t wait.
The Australian bush is so different to the environments I usually work in. There’s something about the rainforest of the Dandenong Ranges, and the grey-green eucalyptus leaves, and the yellow explosion of wattle, and I’m excited to create in it on purpose this time. Not just happy accidents and lucky timing, but light, emotion, framing, story. The whole shebang. My whole method. Everything I’ve learned, practised, and have been teaching since I left back in 2017.
My Considerations for Photographing in the Australian Bush
Planning photoshoots in a new (and old!) location isn’t just about pointing the camera and hoping for magic. Here are a few things I’m keeping in mind as I prepare to work back in Aus.
🐾 Dog-Friendly Locations:
Unlike Europe, where dogs are welcome almost everywhere, many of Australia’s most beautiful places are off-limits, even on leash. So I’ll be scouting carefully for dog-friendly spots that still fit the mood and vegetation I love. (Reminder: dogs don’t need to be off leash to create beautiful images. I’ll be bringing a thin black photography leash to keep things safe, and to give us a bit more freedom as to where we can go)
🌲 Forests vs. Bushland:
European forests tend to have dense tree cover, which makes it easier to find clean, blurry backgrounds and light filtering through the trees. The Australian bush is different. Eucalyptus trees are tall, sparse, and the light is often harder and more directional. I’ll need to get creative with angles, backgrounds, and location scouting to make the magic happen.
🚗 Logistics & Location Hunting:
From finding a cosy indoor venue for the theory and editing part of my workshop, to borrowing Mum’s car, the behind-the-scenes of organising a workshop is… not glamorous. Add in phone anxiety, dog model wrangling, and the fact that I won’t have time to visit every location in advance? It’s a juggling act. But one I’m excited (and a little nervous) to take on.
🌄 Light & Hills:
Golden hour is trickier when you’re working in hilly terrain. The sun dips behind the ridges quickly, and slanted light can create weird shadows or blown-out backgrounds. So I’ll be paying close attention to timing and terrain to get that soft, glowing light I love, if I’m organising things up in the Hills. Around the suburbs? Much easier, but then we’ll be working with more suburban parks.
✨ Now Booking: Melbourne Sessions & Private Lessons
If you’re in Victoria and would like to book a shoot with me while I’m home, here’s what’s on offer:
🌿 Fine Art Dog Photography Sessions
1.5–2 hours on location
Soft, storytelling imagery with natural light
Held early morning or late afternoon for best light
📸 One-to-One Lessons (Half or Full Day)
Perfect for hobbyists or aspiring pros
Tailored to your level and goals
Mix of theory, shooting, and editing depending on the time
Spaces are very limited, so please reach out via email if you’d like to secure a spot.
📚 Workshop: Creating Magical Pet Photos
And yes… I’ll be running a small group workshop.
It’s happening IF we have enough interest!
I’m planning a 2 day immersive pet photography workshop, from November 28–30 based around Lilydale, with shoots in the Dandenong Ranges
We’ll be:
Learning core theory in a cosy venue (3–4 hours)
Shooting in magical locations like fern-filled rainforests and the RJ Hamer Arboretum
Editing and refining your vision through gentle guidance
This is a workshop about seeing. About using light, story, and subtle choices to create images that feel magical, wherever you are.
There’ll be 6 working max, or the option to audit without your camera. No pressure, no perfectionism. Just good people, good dogs, and a few days of creative play.
You can sign up here!
Full Circle
This trip feels like a loop closing. Not because I’ve “made it,” but because I finally get to walk familiar paths with a new kind of presence.
And maybe that’s the biggest lesson of all:
Your growth isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like standing in the same place, camera in hand, and finally understanding the story you’ve been trying to tell all along.
I hope I’ll see some of you there.
With love, excitement, and a little bit of anxiety for the up-coming trip.
Emily
