Delve into the profound journey of Camilla Rutherford, a mother documenting the fleeting moments of her children growing up on a high-country Merino sheep station. The winning shot, nestled in the old Toyota Hylux farm ute, symbolizes the delicate balance between the ordinary and the extraordinary, revealing the intimate narrative of love, family, and the relentless passage of time.
How did you end up behind the camera?
I am dyslexic, so I see the world in pictures. I have always loved story telling, from a young age drawing, creating, performing, taking photos and making silly movies on my dads video camera. I studied set and costume design at Central St Martins Collage of Art in London with the idea to become a production designer or director. I enjoyed using my film camera and developing images in the dark room during art school, so naturally when I graduated I pursued film making and photography as my career.
Can you describe your creative process when conceptualizing and planning a photo shoot?
I love getting a brief from an agency or client and putting my creative input into how I would realise the clients vision. Before a shoot I always try and put together a treatment or folio to show the client to make sure we are on the same page. I love seeing the whole project through, from the creative pre production process to location scouting, casting, getting a team together to make the shoot work. To post production, retouching and seeing the project right through until the client is stoked with the final piece.
As most of my shoots are outdoors, weather, time of day, season and light are hugely important to me. I always try and think of what the sun will be doing, if it is going to be sunny, what to do if its not, where and what time we want to start and finish to get the most out of the day.
Models and environment are paramount to getting a good shoot done. Making people feel easy in front of the camera, and having enough time to trouble shoot any hiccups that come along. Thinking on my feet and being flexible is key to a successful shoot. On a commercial shoot I make sure I surround myself with an incredible team that I know will support me in what I'm trying to capture.
Congratulations on winning the Spotlight Awards in the Kids Photography! The winning shot is a very candid unorchestrated snap from your family’s day to day live. Do you think more natural images speak better to the viewer than carefully polished ones?
Thank you! Authenticity is paramount to my work. If my shot doesn't inspire connection, emotion and believability then I'm not speaking to my audience. I think that this winning image of my husband with our son has touched so many people as it sparks an emotion that is relatable. Not just to rural families but anyone who is a parent or caregiver.
Taking photos of my boys growing up on our farm is something I value greatly. Fleeting moments that seem mundane and ordinary at the time, can be captured in a way that brings emotive nostalgic feelings to the viewer. If my work evokes these emotions I know its a good photograph.
You cannot plan these types of images.
What made you want to participate in these Awards?
I have followed Production Paradise for a while and last year I entered for the first time and was blown away to receive an image in the final selection! It got me super pumped to enter again this year. I saw the calibre of the judges and the incredible line up of amazing photographers who entered and the inspiring work they created. I wanted to be part of that.
I was amazed to have three photos in the finals this year and I certainly wasn’t expecting to win! It’s been such an honour to take out the children’s award, especially with a photograph of my own son and his father, an image thats close to my heart. I would like to say thank you to Production Paradise for putting on these awards, to all the judges for their time and to the other photographers who I’m humbled to be amongst.
What do you like the most about photographing children?
It is a real challenge. You can’t make a child do something that they don’t want to do, it just wont be authentic. Children are the ultimate challenge to photograph and I really relish the opportunity to work with them because of this reason. They are genuine, they don’t lie, they don't pretend to be something they are not. This is truly refreshing.
What is your favorite piece of equipment or photography gear, and how does it enhance your work?
I love my RF Canon 28-70mm f/2 lens. It is an absolute beast, super big and heavy but, man, is it worth it! It's like having three prime lenses in one. Even though it is a zoom, it still gives that amazing depth that only prime lenses give.
When shooting children you have to move so fast, and be everywhere at once as they are not predictable. But I love shooting with a prime lens, so the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 is such a great lens as there is not much time for lens swaps when shooting children! If you stop to change a lens, then you miss the shot!
Children can sometimes be unpredictable during a photoshoot. How do you establish a comfortable and fun environment for them to express themselves naturally in front of the camera?
Directing children is a real skill and since becoming a mother I find it easier to relate to how to speak to them, not pushing but engaging and earning their trust. It can take time, yet you have to work really fast. When they are on they are on, but it may be just a fleeting moment. You can’t ask them to do it again. If you miss it then the moment is gone. But if you get it, then you create magic.
Behind The Scene info on winning shot:
Raising children on a high country Merino sheep station in the Southern Alps of New Zealand is pretty unique. I am a mother of two sons and wife to a busy farmer. Farm kids are used to being taken to work, flung in a truck, long days in the fields, mustering sheep on the hill. Even though this is normal life for us, I know how special and unique it is. And how fast time is going. Watching and documenting my little people explore, play, be wild and free while growing up here on the farm is truly an honour.
As a photographer and story teller, it is my duty to record memories of how special our life is, and how precious time flies, even when it feels mundane and ordinary at the time. I try and take my camera out on farm as much as I can.
This moment was captured when my youngest boy fell asleep in our 1992 old Toyota Hylux farm ute, nestled under his fathers arm. We were moving cattle from one paddock to the next. I had jumped out to open a gate and when I went to get back in I captured this moment. My husband was checking on the stock moving behind us, my son slept soundly unaware of the jobs going on around him.
We thank Camilla for the opportunity to delve into your captivating journey. Her ability to capture the authentic beauty of fleeting moments is truly inspiring.
