In early 2024, having already completed two major photography projects - The Mansfield Farm Project and Mini Farmers' Book Project - I embarked on a bigger challenge - "People of Mansfield".

The aim of the project was to celebrate the amazing people who make Mansfield an incredible place to live, visit, work and raise a family by capturing 52 people in 52 weeks as 'Environmental Portraits."  A diverse range of subjects who live or work within the Shire of Mansfield were encouraged to apply - people from different cultures, backgrounds, ages, abilities and with different interests, experiences and stories.

What is an environmental portrait?

An Environmental Portrait is a photograph of a subject taken in an environment that communicates something about who they are, what they do or what their interests have.  Each portrait requires careful planning taking into account the location, what to include/remove from the environment, the clothing worn by the subject, the pose, lighting and expression to best convey their story.  

I'm a big fan of balancing natural light with artificial light sources so each of my portraits has a mix of both and using these lighting techniques provides a consistency between the images - despite the subjects being so different.

Applications

Initial interest in the project was very strong with applications being received from individuals and others who had been nominated by family/friends.  I also had a list of people I intended to invite to be a part of the project to ensure diverse representation.  

Assistants

To assist in planning and executing the shoots, I put out a call for any local photographers who would like to volunteer to be a part of the project.  

I am very grateful to Sue Arndt Hare, Amana Swaney and Michelle Turner and who all contributed to the project with enthusiasm.  Photography can be a quite solitary endeavour and it was wonderful to be able to share the planning, challenges, techniques, and sessions with these ladies.  Thank you!

Challenges

Personal projects are common amongst photographers.  They provide the opportunity to develop techniques, photograph subjects of choice, to push themselves creatively, and to show work that clients would otherwise not see.  I had developed a love of environmental portraits and had previously captured a number of interesting subjects in Mansfield using this style of photography and felt it was the perfect way to celebrate our community.

Timelines

Months into the project I realised that the timelines I set myself were unattainable however they were self imposed and I could extend them in order to complete the project.  As other work and personal factors came into play the timelines were becoming somewhat problematic.  Subjects photographed at the very beginning of the project we excited to see the finished products and with a large portion of the subjects still to capture I wasn't sure how I would be able to complete them.

Costs

The costs of a personal project are borne by the photographer - the time spent planning, shooting, editing and ultimately printing and exhibiting the images. To offset some of these costs I applied for a grant however this was unsuccessful. 

With the pressure of timelines and with no financial backing via a grant or sponsorship I came to the difficult decision that I would be unable to complete the project.

Each of the participants have received a fine art print of one of the images taken during the project as a thank you for their support of and time invested in the project.  Thank you to the many people who had input into the project.

To those who took the time to complete and application for themselves or on behalf of others, I really do appreciate your support of the project and I am sorry we weren't able to capture an environmental portrait of the nominated persons. 

Thank you to my family and friends who have been a sounding board both with ideas for the shoots and while I wrestled with the decision to discontinue the project.

To Briony Harding Briony Hardinge Photography - my super talented photographer friend - honestly without the support of you I don't think I would still be in business.

To Jason Robins - from JRP Studios for his skill in editing and printing the fine art prints gifted to each subject photographed.

To the people of Mansfield - for being an incredible community full of talented, giving and supportive people - its a privilege to be able to live and work in this community.

While a physical exhibition is no longer possible, I did want the subjects of the environmental portraits and the community of Mansfield to be able to see some of the images taken.

I hope you enjoy the gallery...

There are times as a photographer that everything just comes together.

"As an artist of Mansfield, Wendy is inspired by the high country surrounding her studio in the creation of her paintings and ceramics [and is often seen] painting in a field, up on a mountain or walking and taking photographs."

This description of Wendy led me to suggest capturing her environmental portrait at Mt Buller among the wildflowers.  Seems pretty simple, right? Um no. Multiple postponements due to weather, a house flooding and competing work schedules meant that the week of the shoot - 5 days before Xmas we were still considering moving the shoot to Pollards Rd - a closer option.  While Mt Buller is only around 50mins from Mansfield, a sunset shoot means travelling back after dark - not ideal with windy roads and wildlife that want to jump onto the road at regular intervals.  Add to that - the chance we might get there only to find the wildflowers are gone and the weather has come in.

I arrived early to do a quick reckie of the mountain to discover a patch of yellow wildflowers and a patch of white wildflowers near the carpark to the summit. I then sat down at the Arzburg for a quick bite and waited for Wendy to arrive.

We started at the yellow wildflowers before moving to the white wildflowers as the sun started to set over Mansfield.  We watched in awe as the sky changed colours from yellows and oranges to purples, helped by the smoke haze created by fires in the West of the State.  It's hard to describe the impact this evening had on me but to be at the top of Mt Buller, on the most perfect day, amongst the beauty of the environment, watching the sun set with Wendy who was sharing the same feelings was just incredible. We were like school girls, giddy with the excitement of what we were experiencing. It was hard to focus on actually taking photos! 

I smiled all the way back down the mountain and it is an experience I will take with me always.

Wendy is an active member of the artistic community in Mansfield and 'opens to the public during the Mansfield Open Studio Trail, an event she founded in 2018.'  Wendy's has an impressive artistic CV and has been awarded both nationally and internationally for her work. 

A few selfies...

To learn more about Wendy and her artwork please visit her website and social media links...

How do you capture the rich life of Val in one image? You don't. 

Her grand daughter, Shaeley, nominated Val for the People of Mansfield project describing her as a 'great community asset, assisting with numerous events over the years including the Mansfield Show, Tolmie Sports (where she has a 80+ year involvement as both a competitor and volunteer), Pony Club, Mansfield Historical Society and the local church where she makes jams and sauces for fundraising.' 

Val, a gifted story teller, is a regular on Radio Man where she shares her poems and stories.  Val was awarded Senior Citizen of the Year in 2019.

The environment of choice for me to photograph Val in was her kitchen - a time capsule from another era.  An untouched weatherboard home near the centre of town - the kitchen is the centre of the home - original oven, black and white photographs on the walls, jars of preserves made for the local church - a busy, lived in kitchen.  I met Val there for tea to discuss her portrait - no frills, no fanfare, Val tells you how it is.  "Don't mind the mess" then "if you don't like it you're a wus." 

A relative newcomer to Mansfield, I found it difficult to keep up with Val as she recounted stories of life in and people of Mansfield before my time.  Fortunately Val's love of poetry, that began at school, means that many of her stories are recorded. Val describes her poetry as traditional - stories she knows and has lived. 

Val's portrait was taken on the family farm that still hold remnants of a bygone era with equipment from the old sawmill still in one of the sheds.  One of her poems provides a wonderful insight into the history of the mill.

Kirleys Mill

The sound of the axe wakes the bush,

Another work day has begun,

A bushman can tell,

If a tree is fit to be fell,

A skill passed from father to son.

In the hills beyond the farm mill,

Stringybark and peppermint grow well,

Through bracken and wattle,

Dozer chains strain and rattle,

Pulling logs that the miller had fell.

Planks cut from mountain bluegum,

To bridge the clear alpine streams,

In places of mystery,

That is all part of local history,

Left to live on now in our dreams.

The farmers needs would be met,

With yard posts, strainers and stays,

Poles for the hay shed,

From box trees yellow and red

And those were the old milling days.

The yard was a trading place,

With timber stacked straight and square,

Droppers, rails and pailings,

Now only dry firewood tailings,

Tell of the work once done there.

The old mill bench is rusty and cold,

Cobwebs have invaded the space,

Where the saw would hum,

Through the rich red gum,

Cutting fence posts at a regular pace.

Gone is the man in front of the bench,

And his offsider behind the saw,

Where we toiled with zest,

Now he's earned eternal rest,

And we won't cut timber no more.

Behind the scenes pics thanks to Michelle Turner.

Campers in the Howqua Hills (Sheepyard Flat) area would be familiar with Tim Gerrish and his freezer truck. For the past 20+ years he has been suppling campers with staples like bread, milk, ice, newspapers, along with 70+ other items during the busy times between Cup Day weekend until Easter.

Many of the campers are returnees and he has formed close friendship with them. Tim's truck is adorned with drawings from children of him and his truck and with thank you notes showing their appreciation of the service he provides. Known by the campers as Tim the Ice Man, his 'real job' is with Buller Ski Lifts on the maintenance crew. 

Tim was photographed during one of his runs at Sheepyard Flat with Frys Hut in the background.

Behind the scenes...

Shane was nominated for the People of Mansfield project by his daughter in law Angie.  Shane was born and bred in Tolmie in a family of 11.  Shane and his wife Mandy own Mansfield Hunting and Fishing. Lovers of outdoors they donate their time and money back into the community for the Mountain Bay Classic every year, restocking fish in lakes and streams and partnered with Mansfield Shire to host Mansfields first 'Mansfield Hunting and Fishing Outdoor Expo' in 2024 that was a huge success and attracted 10,000 attendees.

Shane loves all things outdoors from fishing and hunting and is always happy to show someone the best spots.

Shane's environmental portrait was captured along the Delatite River just off Chapel Hill Road, Merrijig and while he has numerous outdoor pursuits we decided on this occasion to focus on fly fishing.

A few behind the scenes pics of Shane's photo session.  We walked some distance from the car down the river so the autumn leaves could form part of the final photos.

Each of my environmental portraits have used external light sources to create a particular look and feel so that the final images, while of very different subjects/locations, would have consistency in lighting.  Of course not all locations are easily accessible and I can't thank Michelle Turner enough, for whom nothing is ever too much trouble and for enthusiastically lugging my lighting equipment along the riverbank.

To find out more about Mansfield Hunting and Fishing please visit their website

Mary was nominated for this project by friend and neighbour Anna Burchell. 

Anna describes Mary as '...a gentle beautiful woman in a rugged world.'

"Mary has lived in Tolmie for about 25 years. Her property, house included was built by her then partner Greg from scratch. It's an off grid small home surrounded by espaliered apples and pears, hazelnut grove and paddocks where cattle are raised. Mary lost Greg ... to MND so now she continues their legacy alone - well with loyal gorgeous dog Rainer. Mary comes from an outback Queensland district. She is tough, hard working, pragmatic and deeply kind. She is a voracious reader of interesting and random topics. She is the size of a wee bird with eyes that are full of spark. I admire her deeply."

I met with Mary at her Tolmie home in March 2024 and found her to be quietly spoken.  She bought the 100acre block in 2002. 35 acres is cleared and the rest remains forest.  Mary has 14 cows but at the time of the visit were at a neighbours property.

Mary grows apples, peaches, nectarines and has cherry and pear trees. She also has 400 hazelnuts trees that are harvested by picking them up when they drop to ground.  Greg and Mary hand planted all the hazelnuts - the first in 2007 during the drought with the hope conditions would improve.

There are 30 varieties of apples including Raleigh Crab and Huonville Crab Cross (which is between and eating apple and a crab apple). They are all heritage stock and can't be purchased at a local supermarket.  Mary sells solely at the farmers market but the income is not enough to sustain her.  

Mary felt the apple or hazelnut orchard would be an appropriate place for her portrait so I returned in January 2025 when the orchard was full of fruit. 

Lameeka was nominated by her sister in law for the People of Mansfield project. 

Lameeka and my brother met when they were 14 and have been together ever since. Having had various types of cancer during her teens and early twenties, Moo (as we affectionately call her) was in her mid 20's when diagnosed with a rare form of cancer - mesothelioma. 

Moo and my brother were able to purchase 100 acres just outside Mansfield and have built themselves an off grid home and live in Mansfield. They cannot have children but their kelpies and chickens and now cows are like Moo's children (she's obsessed with the cows, especially Gigi who was abandoned by her mother and raised by Moo.) She is dedicated to life on the farm and as a new-ish member of the Mansfield community has thrown herself into high country life despite the ongoing challenges to her health and life.

Lameeka was photographed with her beloved cow Gigi in front of the hut her and Matt lived in for 18 months while their home was being built.  

I knew as soon as I read Lameeka's application that I wanted to include her as part of this project.  Her story, I suspect, will resonate with many people who have chosen to move to the region for improved health and wellbeing - a deep connection with the land, the community and wildlife/animals.

Keith Padbury describes himself as a small scale bee keeper and amateur entomologist. He is often called upon to deal with wasps, save a bee swarm or identify a critter.  His bee hives are positioned amongst a his blue gum plantation on Howes Creek Road where his portrait was taken.

Check out Keith's honey offerings at his faceboook page 

Behind the scenes of this fun shoot - me donning the full beekeeping protective clothing...thanks to Amanda Swaney for her assistance on this day and for the BTS pics

George was someone I knew I wanted to photograph from the outset of this project. Policing is a challenging occupation (I know only too well after 20 years service as a police officer with Victoria Police) but policing at a one man station takes a special set of skills. 

I came across a 3AW segment from a few years ago when George was nominated for the Police officer of the Year and they described him as, "an odd cat, has a fine args degree, fluent in Japanese, International Level Cross Country skier, lectures other emergency services on high country rescue tactics and ran the Jamieson emergency service expo."  

To hear the full nomination listen to the below link...

"I am blessed to have a backdrop of Jamieson for my workplace and equally so to serve such a proactive and town proud community.  I moved from Mansfield police station to Jamieson in the leadup to the 2019 fires and been through the pandemic amongst many other local challenges; and have been honoured to witness this community come together time and time again. 

I have to thank a great deal of my strength to the energy of my wife and children who are extremely supportive of the long and unpredictable hours that working in Emergency Services bring. The challenges of working around the tragedy of serious collisions, missing persons, family violence has been highlighted through working at a one member station. The community, my colleagues from neighbouring stations and my family deserve a lot of the credit in the support that they offer me.

From camping, hunting, kayaking, four wheel driving and hiking, this beautiful area keeps re-energising, reinvigorating and inspiring me.  With the passion I have for photography and painting, there is endless inspiration surrounding me. The grass is definitely greener in my paddock! "

Jordan attends the Mansfield Yooralla Community Hub Monday to Friday.  His interests include American Football - The Patriots, cricket, basketball and netball, music and spending time with his friends.

Jordan enjoys exercising, attending a local PT twice a week and walking. 

Jordan's portrait was taken at Mansfield Yooralla Community Hub creating artwork as part of a Social Enterprise MY Kaleidoscope which supports Yooralla Mansfield artists. Paints and texta are his preferred mediums.

To see some of Jordan's work and that of other artists click the MY Kaleidoscope link below

David is an IT systems architect by day but is a luthier, specialising in hand-building classical and acoustic guitars using Australian tonewoods since 2016. David has been playing classical guitar for many years and has recently started composing. He moved to Mansfield permanently in 2016 and in 2023 opened the doors of High Country Guitars to the community and was amazed at the response. Since 2024 they have been running guitar building course from their studio, teaching the craft to the community and beyond.

I first met Dave while photographing artists during the Mansfield Open Studio Trail and was amazed at his workshop and that we had a luthier right here in Mansfield. My husband, a frustrated guitarist, immediately signed up for a course to make his own guitar which now takes pride of place amongst his collection.  

To find out more about High Country Guitars visit their website

Some behind the scenes shots of our photo shoot at High Country Guitars

Despite the project not proceeding at this stage I still very much believe in it's value to the community and would love for it to be completed at some stage.