Spotlight on Zoe Reghenzani Photography

Tell us about your photography business and how it began…

It all began in 2019 when I was on maternity leave from being a primary school teacher. I felt the itch to do something creative. I was constantly taking photos of my family and they soon got sick of it, so I started roping in extended family friends for photoshoots and it flowed on from there. I spent hours and hours teaching myself how to use my camera manually (not in automatic mode) and watching YouTube tutorials on how to work with light to capture beautiful images.

What type of services and shoots do you provide?

Basically everything to do with love and families. Anything with emotion and connection – think maternity, newborns, family, motherhood and weddings.

There are lots of different types of photographers; how would you describe your approach and style?

My style of photography is relaxed, casual and fun. I live in – and shoot – the ‘moment’, the real stuff. There are no overly posed and stiff images. I truly want your photoshoot to feel like you; a real representation of your family. I want to capture the love in that moment for you to look back on and remember forever.

How long have you been a photographer?

I have been taking photos all my life. As a kid, I was obsessed with taking photos on my parent’s film camera. I used to stage my sister in styled shoots – she hated it! Then I would carry a camera around with me everywhere in my bag and take too many digital photos.

I had photos printed out and pinned up on collage boards all over my walls as a teenager. I had albums and albums of way too many photos. And then of course photos of anything and everything on Facebook!

When I had kids, I started taking photography more seriously because I wanted to make sure everything was captured to remember forever.

What initially drew you to the camera?

The realisation that it is really only through photographs that we can freeze time. When everything is said and done, all we have are images, memories and things to remember people by. It’s these images that preserve time and help ignite precious memories.

When did you realise you could make a living from doing something you love?

It wasn’t until other people believed in me and started asking me to do photoshoots that I slowly began to believe in myself and believe I could actually make a go of this.

My husband has always been my number one fan and biggest supporter of everything I do. Sometimes all you need is that one person to believe in you and he was that person.

What makes a great photo, and how do you capture it?

For me, first and foremost, it’s about capturing anything with emotion: love, joy, connection. Those are the images that stop me in my tracks and shoot.

From a technical perspective, I’m always considering light, location, angles and composition, but a good photo starts long before the shoot. People need to feel comfortable and safe before they have their photo taken. It’s really important that I get to know them and know exactly what they want from their shoot beforehand, so I use a simple questionnaire to help understand their needs.

People also need to feel like they know me too and can trust me, which is why I like to use social media to share snippets of myself and my business. It helps give people an insight into me and my approach, building that trust.

What impact do you think smartphones have had on our relationship with photography and photographs?

A positive one for sure. It gives people immediate access to capture memories and be creative at their fingertips. That’s what it’s all about for me.

How do you work with different types of clients (from shy adults, to runaway toddlers!) to help them relax and stay still for the camera?

Ah, a key word there: ‘still’. I never want you to have to stay still! I always follow the lead of the kids or the families and work with them, not against them, to get the shot.

I thrive on the challenge of people who claim they are awkward and shy in front of the camera and love taking on toddlers and kids. Having three kids myself, and being a primary school teacher, I’m pretty well equipped to handle a good ol’ tantrum and unruly behaviour.

I actually think being a people person is more important than technical ability. It’s certainly what makes people come back. If people are relaxed and doing something they love, they let their guard down and enjoy the shoot…and that inevitably comes through in the images.

What have you learned about people during your time as a photographer?

That everyone wants to feel comfortable, connected and seen. If I can establish this, then we have the great basis for a photo shoot.

Also, everyone has hang ups on how they look, no matter their age, gender or style. I love capturing people in their best light and showing them how beautiful they are and how I see them.

What’s your favourite type of photo shoot?

Hands down, it has to be activity-based shoots in locations you love! Examples of this could be a shoot at your house playing with the kids in the yard, or doing anything else you enjoy together like making pizzas, playing basketball, or doing a puzzle.

You could do a shoot walking your dogs, at the skate park or tennis court, playing at the pool, a day at the dam, at your property, riding a horse or feeding cows.

Sunsets in a field are beautiful but if you want photos that are truly you, I highly recommend doing something you truly love to feel relaxed and at ease to capture the real you.

What are your top 3 tips for anyone trying to capture the perfect shot…especially if there are kids involved?

1. Make sure you’re fed and hydrated
2. Wear something you feel comfortable in that feels like you and you can move around in
3. Leave any expectations at the door. Take a deep breath and go with the flow. Let the kids be kids and enjoy the shoot. Trust me, trust the process – we will walk away with amazing images, no matter what!

What do you love about living and working in Tieri and the Central Highlands?

The people, the landscape and the country feel. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming and our stunning locations are easy to access and never crowded.

How can people find out more information or book a shoot?

Head to www.zoereghenzaniphotography.com.au to find all details of my packages, pricing, portfolio and contact information for when you’re ready to capture some memories.