From her home in the NSW Clarence Valley, Kate Davies observes her world through the lens of her Nikon DSLR. Having worked for country media outlets for many years, she became adept at conveying a story without words. Images she’s taken, particularly of wildlife, country life and landscapes have been utilised in various formats, nationally and internationally, published in field guides and used for education purposes.
“I’ve always been interested in photography,” Kate says. “Initially, I was self-taught but later studied to see if it improved the work I did. I’m semi-professional, I suppose, if that’s a thing. I’m often asked to attend horse-training clinics or sales or other special events to provide professional images and records of those events.
“I use one camera with a long lens, one with a wide-angle or short lens attached so I don’t have to keep changing over, as I might miss a photo opportunity if I do,” she continues. “It also reduces the risk of dust in the camera. I like to work with natural light. My iPhone also acts as backup to capture images on the spot if I’m out without camera gear.”
When it comes to favourite subjects, Kate says it can be something as simple as a leaf backlit by a setting sun or light filtering through leaves and curtains on a window that grabs her eye. Sunrise, sunset, country roads, horses and saddles, fashion shoots (she’s been in front of and behind camera on many of these) and country gardens are all preferred subjects. “As I work and live in the country, it’s my natural habitat,” she says.
