Western Australian photographer Allysha Cartledge tells us her favourite beaches in WA and talks about drone photography, painting, and shares her thoughts on social media

interviewinstagram influencernature photographyphotographerphotographytravelartistWestern Australian Photog

16 Feb

We interviewed the very talented Allysha Cartledge, who is a photographer from Perth, Western Australia. She shares with us some of her favourite locations in WA and talks about her photography goals moving forward, her inspirations, painting, social media and much more! Allysha has quite recently quit her job and started pursuing photography full-time. She is gaining exposure and growth on Instagram through her beautifully composed drone photographs which are mainly comprised of the extraordinary Western Australian coastline and the local wildlife which inhabits it. Allysha admits that there a lot of challenges pursuing her career change but she is very committed, hard-working, talented, and we wish her all the best in the future!

“ It’s great to be able to express what I visualise on either paper or with editing a photo. I usually try to paint or edit something to emphasise the way I see it, for example, how the light hits certain areas or how silky the waves look. ”

Allysha, can you tell us a little bit about yourself? When did you get your first drone, and what is the story that led up to the moment of purchase? Did you fall in love with drone photography straight away?

I was born and raised in Perth, Australia. I’ve had a creative side since I can remember: When I was a kid, I loved drawing and painting and just being out in nature, as nature really inspired a lot of my artwork. I got my first drone (which was a Dji Spark) in October 2017, mainly because I just wanted a different way to view things. I had just been using a DSLR from 2013 to then, so it was time for a change. I didn’t know much about drones when I got one, but I was instantly hooked!

You are also quite talented at drawing! Are there any similarities between the feeling you get when you draw/paint a picture and edit a photograph? What does your creative process usually look like? For example, before you start editing or drawing, do you visualise the end result and try and create something from there, or do you just go with whatever inspires you in that particular moment?

Thank you! I still think I have a lot more practice to do though! [laughs] Yes, I think there are many similarities between the two. It’s great to be able to express what I visualise on either paper or with editing a photo. I usually try to paint or edit something to emphasise the way I see it, for example, how the light hits certain areas or how silky the waves look. So yes, I usually visualise the end result.

Here at Culture of Creatives, we are trying to inspire people to follow their passions, and we want to motivate them to do what they love. Of course, this is not always easy. Especially with certain types of creative businesses, this can be quite daunting. How long before you started making money off your drone photography and how did you start finding clients?

It’s a great feeling to follow your dreams and do what you love - but you’re right, it takes a lot of time and commitment! I think it’s very important to be patient as these things don’t happen overnight, but if your drive and passion are story enough, things will work out. I quit full-time work about 9 months ago to focus more on doing photography full-time, which I’m still working hard towards every day. I found most of my clients by travelling and visiting new places and meeting new people. Facebook and Instagram help a little too!

Could you offer any advice to those that might want to try and start selling their artwork online and finding clients?

I would say go for it! Make an Instagram and Facebook page - advertise your work or products there to start with. Don’t have high expectations, just do it because it’s your passion and something you enjoy. Don’t compare yourself to others - we are all different. And last but not least, put as much work into it as you can! Persistence pays off.

Western Australia is famous for its incredible beaches. Can you share with us your personal favourites?

Ooh, that’s a hard one! They’re all so amazing. But I’d have to say a few of my favourites would be:

Lucky Bay, Esperance

Meelup Beach, Dunsborough

Cable Beach, Broome

Roebuck Bay, Broome

Where in Western Australia are your 3 favourite locations to photograph and what do you love most about the locations?

My 3 top favourite places to photograph in Western Australia would be: Broome – This place is incredible, from the orange sand beaches with the turquoise water always changing with the tides to the beautiful red cliffs: it’s easy to see why this one is a favourite! Esperance – The water colour and clarity here just take my breath away every time! It literally looks like the water has been photoshopped! Dampier/Karratha – I was surprised by the beauty of this area. The landscape is so different from everywhere else with its huge rugged red rock formations and the engravings in the rocks left by the indigenous thousands of years ago. This place really has a special feel to it.

Have you any big plans for 2020? What goals have you set yourself and what are you hoping to improve on?

In 2020 I have a lot of goals! Some of my goals include learning more about video production and making small clips. Getting more work with photography. Doing more with digital art, improving my editing skills and just getting out and exploring more of Australia and capturing it to the best of my ability.

In your opinion, what are the best and worst things about Instagram?

I think the best thing about Instagram would be the exposure and that it’s a place where you can really express yourself through the work that you post. The community is also amazing! It’s great to see everyone supporting each other, especially in the photography world. The worst thing would be that there is so much competition, and I guess therefore also the ‘expectations’ which can be quite hard on young people and their confidence levels because we feel like our work isn’t good enough if it doesn’t get many likes or comments. So, I think it’s important to remember that Instagram isn’t the real world and it’s forever changing: as long as you’re happy with the work you’re posting, that’s all that matters.

Do you think that putting yourself out there on social media platforms such as Instagram is a vital step in 2020 if you want to start making money off your art?

I think it is to some degree. It’s hard to build a following, but it’s a great way to start and it definitely helps to get your name out there, but I think there are a lot more ways than just Instagram or social media to make money from your art too.

Do you ever feel uninspired to go out and take photos or to share your work online? If so - how do you overcome this?

Not so far! I’ve been lucky this last year, as I’ve had a lot of time to travel. I always get super excited travelling to a new place to photograph so that always inspires me. In regard to posting my work online: yes, I have been uninspired to do that, as I guess you don’t always know if your work is going to do well online. If it doesn’t, sometimes it’s hard not to take it personally, but I just try and remind myself that I’m sharing it because it’s my passion and something I like.

Can you name three people that inspire you the most, and what do you believe is special about what they do/have done?

David Attenborough is my biggest inspiration. His drive and passion for nature, the environment and animals is amazing, and it’s my dream to make wildlife/ nature documentaries in the future – so he’s a huge inspiration for that. Other than that, it’s mostly other documentaries I get inspired from. When I get a chance or have time to watch something on TV, I’m always looking up new nature or wildlife documentaries. The latest one I watched was ‘One Strange Rock’ which was pretty inspirational.