KELLIE BLINCO - photographer/owner

SAM MCGRATH - photographer

ROBYN MCVEY - photographer

JACQUE BEIN - Administration

AMY SORENSEN - hair & makeup stylist

After many years of living and breathing photography (to the point where my camera was permanantly attached to my face) I started shooting press photography in Gladstone for The Observer.  The years I spent there were such a wonderful learning experience and a real eye opener.  Many people would regard photography as a bit of a glamorous industry, but I will say, after being knee deep in mud, rolling around in the dirt, climbing tree's and almost getting hit right in the face with a cricket ball EVERY weekend, glamorous photography ..is not.  But it is extremely satisfying.

Being that I have a deep respect for this art form it took me about 8 years before I felt I was in any way ready to take the plunge and do this for a living.  The experience I gained before I entered into the professional industry has made me a much better photographer and I couldnt have even thought about this until the time was right.

In 2008 the opportunity arrived and as I dont ever do things in halves, I ended up with a really cool space for a studio.  I thought it was time to make the move from photographing people who didnt want their pic taken into the world where people would hire me because they actually wanted pics!

In the last 2 years, my dream became more than I could have ever hoped for.  The studio is a success and I believe it is because we are firm believers in high quality imaging.  What we try to create is something different.  We aim to use natural light whenever possible, and we aim to capture the raw emotion in people.

After the first 12 months, Sam McGrath was a very welcome addition to the studio.  Not only did I now have someone to drink coffee with (well Sam will only do tea, but thats okay) instead of being all lonely and going insane down there on my own, I had expanded the studio to include her unique views and natural talents with the camera.

Sam had a small adjustment period, mainly because she also made the switch from Nikon to Canon (yes I converted her) but it didnt take her long and she has pleased a large number of clients with her skills over the past 12 months. Sam and I are of very similar backgrounds, so we are quite similar in our shooting styles, but she brings her own uniqueness to all of her work.

Not much longer after Sam arrived, I recruited one of the very first friends I made when moving to Gladstone almost 8 years ago, Robyn McVey.  When we met we clicked and we were shooting on 35mm film SLRs back in those days (omg I am giving the "back in those days" line) Robyn also a Nikon shooter (who for the record also now uses a canon 5D Mk11 - another conversion for me :D ) has always had a very keen eye.  I believe strongly there is only so much you can be taught when it comes to photography .. once you learn the technical side, you either have it or you don't.  Robyn has it.

Robyn also doubled as admin for me for a little while - but we have replaced her in the office and have her back doing the work she should be doing, and thats creating something magical with her camera.

Jacque Bein (yes everyone who comes in almost always thinks she is me) is my sister and she has been in the studio for only a few weeks now.  She is handling all the admin and client enquiries.  Jacque is the one that will keep us in check with whats happening and when.. Sam and I are not shy in admitting we need someone to help us keep our schedules in check sometimes.. okay.. most of the time.

And Lastly, Amy Sorensen (yes, my other sister) who is a super talented hairdresser and make-up artist, shows up every now and then.  All the glamour shoots and boudoir shoots show off her great skills.

Thats our team, and I am incredibly thankful for each and every one of them.  They are all very much apart of the studio and what it stands for.  We are definately more like a family and I wouldn't have my working environment any other way. 

You can hear from Sam and Robyn on their blogs which are on this website.  We love to get comments and feedback on what we have been up to, so dont be shy and show us some love and leave your thoughts!

Kellie