Capturing the people behind the company is what I love the most.
On shoot days I like to capture as much as I can – this is to make sure I deliver to the brief as well as capture the life of the work site or office. I usually start at sunrise and finish off the day at sunset – that way I can capture the daily life of the site in different lighting scenarios. I make sure everyone, including myself, are wearing the correct personal protective equipment and are staying safe. I work hard on site but make sure that everyone is still at their most comfortable and are having fun with the shoot.
Getting meaningful and real images from people can be tricky when they are not used to being photographed. The best way to get an authentic photo is to make sure the person is comfortable with you. I used to work as a concreter so I draw on my years of working on construction sites to connect with the workers individually. I immerse myself in their day to day life so that they see me as one of their colleagues. The biggest mistake a photographer can make is trying to control the shoot to much. Once the environment is too controlled the shot becomes and feels unnatural.
Capturing the people, the community, and the lifestyle behind mining is what I find is most important. The people behind the company are the real heroes. They operate the machines, craft the products, and drive the final result. Their jobs can be high risk, they work long hours, and are often away from their families for long periods of time. Yet everyone from the people on site to the people in the office put their hearts and souls into these mining and construction projects. They take pride in the work they do. They take pride in the companies that they work for. The story of construction and mining organisations belongs to these people.
Being part of a mining and a construction organisation is really being a part of community. It’s my job to engage with this community of workers and communicate their heart and soul to the world. By capturing the visual stories of these workers, companies are putting their best foot forward and are really showing to their stakeholders what is the soul behind their brand.