I’m absolutely thrilled (and still pinching myself) to share some incredible news: I’ve been awarded a Golden X and officially named the #1 Fine Art Photographer in Australia and #2 in the World in the 2024 One Eyeland World’s Top 10 Fine Art Photographers. This international recognition is deeply humbling, and I’m beyond honoured to be acknowledged among such talented creatives from around the globe.
To receive this ranking, I was awarded a total of 4x Gold, 4x Silver, and 4x Bronze awards across multiple entries—an outcome that still feels surreal. These accolades are particularly meaningful to me because they recognise my personal fine art series titled ‘The Journey’, a deeply introspective body of work created in 2024, right here in Sydney.
As a Sydney-based fine art and still life photographer, I’ve spent years navigating the intersection between commercial assignments and personal expression. This milestone is not just a professional achievement; it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining creative freedom and staying connected to the work that speaks to your soul.
About the Award-Winning Series – ‘The Journey’
‘The Journey’ is a conceptual fine art series that explores the emotional and psychological terrain of reaching mid-life. Through the use of botanicals, animal skulls, layered paint, and carefully composed still life imagery, the work seeks to unpack themes of ageing, transformation, mortality, and resilience.
The project was born out of a period of deep personal reflection. As I approached middle age, I began to feel the internal shift that often comes with this life stage—a quiet reckoning with the passing of time and the evolving understanding of what truly matters. Rather than resisting this change, I chose to explore it through the lens of art, using visual symbolism to convey both vulnerability and strength.
Artist Statement – ‘The Journey’:
As I approached middle age, I embarked on a personal mental journey, reflecting on the natural progression of ageing—its impact on both my physical body and shifting thoughts. This introspective exploration has illuminated the inevitable limitations of life, yet the richness of the lived experience, with all its accumulated knowledge, emotions, and growth.
The focal point of the work is the skull, a symbol of the life cycle. It represents the fragility of mortality, the inevitability of ageing, and the wisdom that accrues through experience.
Creating ‘The Journey’ allowed me to return to my roots as a conceptual fine art photographer, while also applying the precision and attention to detail that I’ve honed over years of working in commercial and still life photography. As someone who frequently collaborates with brands and agencies on advertising campaigns, I’ve always believed that compelling photography—whether for a product, a client, or a personal project—must evoke a sense of emotion, narrative, and beauty.
What sets fine art photography apart is its ability to tell a deeply personal story while still inviting universal interpretation. In ‘The Journey’, the use of organic materials and symbolic objects helps ground the work in nature and the passage of time, making it both intimate and reflective. It’s this balance between technical craft and artistic intention that continues to inspire and drive my practice.
A Milestone for the Australian Photography Community
To be named the #1 Fine Art Photographer in Australia by One Eyeland is an extraordinary honour—and one that I hope shines a light on the incredible creative talent within the Australian photography scene. There is so much innovation, passion, and artistry coming out of Australia, and I’m incredibly proud to represent our community on the world stage.
Being recognised as #2 in the World is a milestone I never imagined when I first picked up a camera. It’s a reminder that personal work has the power to resonate far beyond your own studio or city. For any artist or photographer wondering whether their personal vision has value: it absolutely does.
This recognition from One Eyeland is a moment I will cherish, not only for what it means to me professionally, but for what it affirms about the role of fine art photography in helping us process life’s biggest transitions.
Thank you to the judges, the photography community, and everyone who has supported my journey. And thank you, Sydney—my creative home—for continuing to inspire and shape my work.
You can view the full ‘The Journey’ series and explore more of my creative photography, still life work, and commercial projects at The Journey.
