Photo & Text by Brad K. Delaney
INTERVIEW BY ANDY KANCACHIAN
“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!” – Richard Branson
A full-time professional commercial photographer on the Gold Coast for over 30 years shooting images, Brad started a career in photography from a desire to do something he loved everyday. “And then working out how to make money doing it,” he adds.
With a master’s degree in business administration from Surrey University in Oxford, U.K, one of his projects kick-started the Gold Coast Convention Center. When he switched to a life of artistic expression, his first job as a photographer was for a private investigation company. “I then moved on to models, weddings, surfing, and wave art. I did an online photography course from the Photography Institute. I learned a lot by trial-and-terror.”
Although Brad is a specialist studio headshot photographer who has a passion in wave art and fine art, he has not shied away from commercial photography, including shooting boats and the boating lifestyle. “Boating photography came from shooting a lot of commercial buildings. One day, I received a phone call from an advertising agency in Sydney. They asked me if I thought I could do what I do in a commercial building shoot for a boating photoshoot. Of course I said yes, and then had to work out how to do it!” Indeed, this was Brad’s living version of Richard Branson’s words.
Brad was engaged to take photos of a 72ft Johnson that Yachtsmen International was selling for the owners. The photo was taken north of the Gold Coast near South Stradbroke Island. It was for marketing materials to be used to market the boat for sale by the brokers.
Although the day was chosen for the weather and the tides, the crew availability and other factors, the photoshoot session still entailed some challenges. “Holding the camera steady on a smaller tinny and coordinating the speed of the target boat and positioning the models were some of the difficulties I encountered,” Brad shares. However, Brad knows that communication was key with the models and also with the captain to maintain a speed that would be steady enough for him to shoot. “I was communicating with the captain via phone, giving instructions like ‘Go faster.’ and ‘Slow down.’ My videographer was communicating with the models, with instructions like ‘Sit up’, ‘Lay down’, ‘Stand up’, ‘Look this way,’ ‘Point,’ etc.”
Brad points out some important aspects of on-water shoots. The usual challenges in these sessions involve movement and being able to stay steady. He adds, “Water, in particular, salt water is not your best friend, so keeping your camera dry is always a challenge. The weather along with the tides always play a part, but we also have to consider safety. Time and fuel were other considerations.”
Brad’s ultimate advice when working in on-water photoshoot sessions is simple, “Be patient and communicate effectively.” Obviously, Brad has not only worked out how to take on-water boating photos, but he has excelled in it too. That critical “Yes!” proved to be worth it.
Camera used: Nikon D610 a DSLR 1/400 sec at F8 – 42mm
Brad is the owner of The Headshot Guys, a Robina based business specialising in headshots and personal imagery for professional and personal media.
www.theheadshotguys.com.au
Published in print October-December 2022