Making a Difference

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Hi my name is Simon,
I am from New Zealand and have been living in Australia now going on almost 3 years. One very important lesson my father taught me before passing away was to ‘Always treat people how you wish to be treated’ which is with respect.

I was never able to afford a camera until January this year when I was granted a small personal loan to buy one. I work for Vodafone in Sydney and am studying a diploma in photography with “The Photography Institute of Australia” in my spare time. I take photos when ever I can and try to document everything in a way to tell a story that captures an image with an emotion that best describes that moment.

The photo’s I have chosen to submit were taken shortly after purchasing my very first DSLR camera. This day was a Charity day in which we went out to a childcare shelter not far from Sydney’s CBD called Barnardos. Children are there for many different reasons ranging from child neglect/Abuse to children in poor families or victims of sexual abuse. There are often so many children there the staff are unable to maintain cleanliness or to spend quality time with each and every child. 17 of us went in that day to do the gardening, clean the chairs, cook lunch, read, play and just make them feel like little kings and queens for a day.

My partners, sister in-law forwarded me this competition as I have been saving for my first third world overseas experience to south Africa but have put on hold as I am trying to help out financially with my sisters wedding. My dream to photograph a safari, see a third world country in its true colours and to kick off my career in what I love most seems to all be in this once in a life time opportunity, I hope you see the passion in my photography and see the story I try to show. Thank you =)