PERSONAL BEST
There is a distinct, heady freedom in working without a brief.
When the only expectations are the ones you carry in your own mind, the boundaries of a frame suddenly feel infinite.
In any visual asset production brief, we thrive on frameworks—the precision of a brand’s narrative, the logistics of multi-location shoots in Sydney or Singapore, and the responsibility of managing significant budgets for our B2B partners. But to truly extend your limits, you must occasionally step into the space where those boundaries don't exist.
Personal projects are the "cold shower and morning run" of my creative world.
When I’m out in the elements, perhaps chasing the lingering mist in a Sydney sunrise or exploring a concept that has been humming in the back of my mind, I am working to evolve a visual signature.
This is where we learn to play, to fail, and ultimately, to grow.
Going without a map is a bit of a double-edged sword:
The freedom is that you get to play and learn with your tools and environment without someone looking over your shoulder - you get to fuck up all you want. The weight of your own expectations can also be much heavier than any client’s; there’s a real risk of the vision staying unrealised.
You will walk away with something earned.
Missing the shot or getting it wrong is just how you find the "accidents" that eventually become your style.
Test Shoot: Ben and I found a rooftop carpark where we could be undisturbed. The raw energy of his shadow boxing, an A1 for some highlights and away we went for this simple set.
Tools:
Nikon D850 | 35mm | 50mm | Benjamin Shepard | Profoto A1
Pre-Colored on Capture One | Retouched and graded on Photoshop CC
