Welcome to this issue of PHOTOLounge Customer Spotlight. This month features Lee Illfield – Newcastle Australia as she shares her photos and some words about how photography plays a role in her life.

"I love lying on the grass on my stomach with my camera, discussing the technical aspects of eating ice cream with a 3 year old..."

1. What role do pictures play in your life or work?

Before leaving Australia for holidays here in Philadelphia, and after a lot of consideration, I made the decision to resign from my full time and follow my passion- Photography. I now own my own business- Luvlee photography. Photography never leaves me. Even without a camera in my hand I am constantly observing and wondering what I can shoot next.

2. What do you take pictures of?

Mainly little people…children have so much to offer. I like to shoot in their environment. I find they are more comfortable on their mum and dads’ bed or lounge room floor rather than a studio full of lights. I love the innocence of children, the joy and laughter, and trust. I love lying on the grass on my stomach with my camera, discussing the technical aspects of eating ice cream with a 3 year old.

I have also started venturing into weddings and big people, but only on request from friends and family!!

3. What inspires you to take pictures?

I am inspired everyday, by smiles, light, opportunities and the possibility of taking the type of photo that you can’t wait to print. Then find a friend to show and share your excitement. Here I must mention Dave (my usual lab guy in Newcastle, Australia), he is very patient and gives wonderful encouragement. The guys at the PhotoLounge are high up there also! I have really enjoyed spending time there and getting to know them- very supportive guys!
I am quite new to the world of photography, and what excites and inspires me everyday is the possibility of shooting amazing photos, ones that could make me and others stop and reflect and laugh or cry, and where those photos can take me.

4. Describe your camera and what is involved in printing your images?

I shoot with a Canon 20d. I’ve recently given it a new home… thanks photo lounge… red is definitely its colour! It is my first digital camera.. I’ve had it now for 1 year. I love finishing a shoot and getting home to put them on to my laptop and playing…then off to the lab!!

I print most of my images at my local lab, where I spend a lot of time, sitting on the couch with my laptop, chatting to other photographers

5. Do you share and exhibit your printed work?

I have not had the opportunity to exhibit my work officially...but now I am international!! I share mainly with the individual families of the children I shoot. I love the response of moms and dads.

I also have some close friends I confide in and quite often at the end of a day we email each other a couple of favourite photos to discuss them. I will also share with anyone else who asks!!

 

6. How does the PhotoLounge help you present your vision?

On a personal level, if it wasn’t for chatting to Ravid and talking about my experiences, this opportunity to show my work would not have come about. As a lab, my father was married last weekend in Philadelphia and I was asked to take the photos. PhotoLounge printed the photos that mean so much to people close to me. I printed 5 black and white shots, varying in size, mounted with wide edge white boarder, and placed them on the fire place as a surprise on their return home. This had a much greater impact than just showing them on a screen.

7. Tell us about the pictures you shared

(From top to bottom)

1. Tom and Hugh. I really enjoyed photographing these boys, they have a beautiful and loving family, and I think this is clearly felt through these series of photos, It was shot on the lounge room floor on a mattress…not long after Hugh went down for his afternoon sleep..
2. Tom is Hugh’s older brother, Tom and I were playing on the floor in the lounge room, he was crawling through his dads legs and ended up in front of me, where I shot this photo of him..
3. Griffyn is such a character; his mum is a good friend of mine. In this series he was defiantly telling me how silly I was, it was taken under the fig trees in the paddock behind their house, I had just slipped and fallen into a cow pat.