BEHIND THE CAMERA
WHEN I BECAME AN ADELAIDE FLASHER
When I decided to take on photography in 1953 I never realised I would be so lucky to pick up two major accounts in the first couple of weeks. One was the South Australian Motion Picture Industry (ie all the cinemas and film distributors such as Universal, MGM, Columbia, 20th Century Fox, Paramount, Warner Bros, B.E.F, United Artists) and the other Australian Women's Weekly. Both these accounts I had for over 25 years.
Being young and knowing other young people working in banks, hospitals etc where there were many girls who were getting married and looking for a good wedding photographer, the name of Vic Grimmett was suggested, and as a result, in the first 12 months I did 32 weddings.
In those days all weddings took place in a church, so with couples being married in the mornings, afternoons and evening there were many Saturdays when I covered three weddings. When I retired in 1993 I had photographed nearly 2,000.
I also acquired very early several commercial accounts, which stayed with me over the years. Woolworths, Woodley Wines, Sands & McDougall, Harrys of Mile End, Carrier Air Conditioning, West Torrens Council to name a few.
My great love was fashion photography and some of my clients included, Myer, Waxmans. Miller Anderson, The White House, Georgy Girl. Four fashion shots I had taken for Myer featuring one of Adelaide's top models at the time, TONI CAMERON, were entered in a contest run by Ilford, and it was a great thrill to win the South Australian section.
Working for Australian Consolidated Press, besides doing the photographs for the Weekly, I also took photos for The Bulletin, Cleo, Home & Garden, and in later years, Mode Magazine.
The Television Industry was also one for which I enjoyed working, in particular Channel 7 (Now 10) and ABS2. I also did the photography for magazines associated with the industry, such as TV Times, TV Week and TV Radio Extra.
Although I never took any action shots at any sporting events, I was connected with the SANFL.
For 13 years I photographed the South Australian Teal Cup Team and the All Australian on the two occasions the carnival was held in Adelaide. When the first night game was played at Football Park ( South Australia v Victoria), I was asked to photograph the State Team AND the VFL and continued to photograph all State teams ( and the VFL when they visited us) until I retired in 1993.
I spent 40 years behind the camera, and during that period had the opportunity to photograph many famous people, including film stars, pop stars, royality, politicians, sportsmen and women. It was a very exciting time.
These four photographs titled (left to right)
Youth the Spirit of Life
Those carefree days
The fun one had
Who wants to grow up .....were the fashion shots entered in the Ilford "Life" photo contest, which won the South Australian Section.
The models were Chris Cassebohm, Sue McEvoy, Wendy Schneider & Toni Cameron, and Toni Cameron.
One of the biggest thrills a photographer gets is when his photo is chosen to go on a cover. To view some click
HERE
