January 26, 2016
PHOTOGRAPHER CLAIR ESTELLE
Clair Estelle found a lot of crossover between her work as a graphic designer and her interest in photography. “I have always enjoyed compositional elements, such as shape and colour,” she says. While she was born in Rockhampton and grew up in Bundaberg, Clair studied Fine Art in Brisbane on a scholarship. After a couple of years she switched courses to graphic design and pursued this as a career, working for design houses in Brisbane and London. More recently she has worked as a photographer. “For me, the sense of achievement I get when a photo just ‘works’ gives me such a positive and fluid feeling,” she says. Based once again in Brisbane, Clair has created a print shop showcasing her range of travel photographs.
Which five words best describe you? Passionate, creative, ever-changing, active, analytical and currently pregnant.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I was awarded a scholarship to attend university to study art. Soon after I became a graphic designer and worked in many design houses in Australia and London. This led me to taking photographs for my commercial design clients. From there I discovered my love for people, colour and shape behind the lens. I then took the leap and started a portrait and wedding photography business based in London. Recently returning home to Australia I have transitioned again introducing another business to my creative bow - an online print shop selling photographs I have gathered on my travels along the way.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? If you work hard, apply yourself and be positive and passionate about what you feel good about doing you will achieve. Being grounded and connected to the earth is number one priority and everything grows from there.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Realising that I had made a living out of doing what I love.
What’s been your best decision? To be original and focused on what makes your craft “you”.
Who inspires you? Musicians inspire me through emotional connections to their music: Bowie, Lennon and East India Youth are favourites. Nature inspires me.
What are you passionate about? Anything that my heart is involved in. I’m passionate about my husband, the beauty in nature, my family and gorgeous books that show an insight into a different world.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? The Dalai Lama or John Lennon. I would like to understand both their thoughts and perspectives.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Become a pianist and climb many mountains with my husband Grant and my soon-to-be born son.
What are you reading? Art therapy books; I’m also interested in that.
images courtesy of clair estelle