ABOVE: Jodie Harris photographed her son hanging onto the washing line. More photos by Jodie below.
Susanna Freymark
When Jodie Harris was 11 years old she wrote a story at school about what she wanted to be when she grew up.
“A photographer.”
At 40, the Yamatji woman has held onto that unwavering passion and says photography is “in her blood”.
Jodie shares studio space with her husband at Eden Creek. One side of the shed studio is for his tools, the other side is for her photography work.
Her youngest son is about to start school and with her two children at school she will have more time to do what she loves.
“Photography is a way for me to make sense of the world,” Jodie said.
“If I’m having a rough time internally, the moment I pick up my camera I become someone else.”
It’s not hiding, Jodie said.
“You can see the world objectively through the camera.”
Jodie’s photos are alert to the story behind the picture. It’s as if you can look at them again and again and see something different each time.
She divides her work into commercial photography and her personal artwork.
In her commercial work, she likes to work with small businesses and female entrepreneurs.
“I know how hard it is in a rural area for a small business,” Jodie said.
“I want to support their passion for their work.”
She takes photos for website content and for business branding.
Her next shoot is of a cheese-making workshop.
On the personal creative side, Jodie has some big ideas. One is taking photos of female rugby league players in Kyogle.
She plans to take photos in the field using studio lights and setting up the shot as she would in the studio.
“I’m not a sports person but this is about showing a person in their power,” she said.
“I’m doing it to push myself technically.”
Jodie studied photography at uni and began her career in film and television.
She helped load cameras for a feature film in Brisbane.
“I was in my 20s and it was a sexist industry then,” she said.
Jodie entered a competition for the ABC where photographers were filmed finding a story and subject to photograph.
One of the judges on the show was Andrew Quilty.
Jodie had to photograph a homeless man as part of the competition.
“I didn’t win but Andrew said he couldn’t fault my image,” she said.
Her work was noticed by the Sydney Morning Herald who offered her a job as a photojournalist.
This was a dream job offer, and her 11 year old self was thrilled.
Jodie turned the job down. She was a mother of two and didn’t want to uproot the family.
Andrew remains an important mentor and advisor for her.
Through her business 6 Acre Studios, Jodie continues her passion, determined to make money out of being a photographer while also doing her passion projects.
Follow Jodie on Instagram and check out her website.
We asked Jodie to choose her favourite photos. Here they are.
Curly the barber
My two boys
Capturing a quiet moment
Reversing the gaze
Heavy metal drummer
It’s me, Hi
Drought on the line
