Image courtesy of Nahid Bhoja - 2025
About
Back when I was in school, I had an interest in photography, but I lacked the focus to fully pursue it. I even listed photography as my first preference for university, but missed the fine print requiring a portfolio for admission! In my 20s, I spent a year at South Melbourne School of Photography (now Photography Studies College), learning the basics. Once I finished, I put my camera down and didn’t pick it up again until early 2021.
In the meantime, I dabbled in every hobby imaginable – lead lighting, leather handbag design and craft, cooking courses, pottery, Spanish and Italian classes, travel writing, Ikebana, life drawing, oil painting, singing lessons, crochet, quilting, dressmaking, ukulele, furniture renovation, macramé, fabric dyeing, and jewellery making. The list goes on. I enjoyed each of them, but none sparked a true passion. I often found myself envious of my father, David Hollands, an ornithologist, writer, and bird photographer, who has been deeply passionate about birds his entire life. He lives and breathes his passion. Why couldn’t I find something like that?
Then, in early 2021, I rediscovered photography. The moment I bought my mirrorless camera, I was hooked. It was the perfect hobby for me, one that focused on ideas and creativity, with just the right balance of application. Unlike some of my past hobbies, there was no drudgery or monotony. I took a few short courses, then enrolled at Photography Studies College, where I’m now in my fourth year of study. Photography has become a major part of my life during this time.
I enjoy a variety of genres – fine art, architecture, landscape/city scape, street, still life, and travel photography. I love capturing images straight out of the camera but also enjoy using editing software to turn them into fine art. I’m often surprised by the images I’m able to create, and that sense of accomplishment keeps me going. I will continue with photography as long as I’m enjoying it, and as long as others enjoy viewing my work. Hopefully, that will be for a long time. What started as a hobby has now become so much more.
Group Exhibitions
Oct 2024 PSC Spring Salon CONNECTIONS - Capture Gallery - Melbourne
Sep 2023 PSC Perspectives - Flux Art Gallery- Melbourne
Education
2022 - Pro Photography Certificate - Photography Studies College, Melbourne, Australia
2025 - In final year of Advance Diploma of Photography, Photography Studies College. Melbourne Australia
Awards - Highlights
2025
Gold Winner - `Grand Central - converging hour - Fine Art Photography - Cityscape - London Photography Awards
2024
Highly commended - `The layers of the Sassi di Matera - Creative - Photographer of the Year - Australian Photography magazine
Highly commended - `The spirit of Islam - Architecture - Photographer of the Year - Australian Photography magazine
Honourable Mention - A symphony of light- Special Effects - International Photography Awards
Official Selection - Gaza Rally- Street Photography - International Photography Awards
Official Selection - Cycling in the rain -- Street Photography - International Photography Awards
Top 70 - Dayabumi complex - The Landscape Awards
2023
4th place- The House of Tan Teng Niah - Travel - Photographer of the Year - Australian Photography magazine
13th place - Beach Retro- Single shot - - Australian Top Emerging Photographer - Capture Magazine
Top 20 - Walking in shadow- Travel - Australian Top Emerging Photographer - Capture Magazine
Highly commended - Bowing to the train- Single shot - Australian Top Emerging Photographer - Capture Magazine
Highly commended -Kyoto Station- Architecture - Australian Top Emerging Photographer - Capture Magazine
Top 70 - Small World- Urban - The Landscape Awards
Highly commended - A view from the balcony- Urban - The Landscape Award
Honourable mention - A jug or two - Fine art still life - International Photography awards
Highly commend - Lone tree after the fires - The Mono Awards
2022
11th place - On the Stairs - Creative - Photographer of the Year - Australian Photography magazine
Top 30 - An impression of our Opera House - Creative - Photographer of the Year - Australian Photography magazine
Highly commended - Rainbow of oil and water - Creative - Photographer of the Year - Australian Photography magazine
Highly commended - Red meadow - Single shot - Photographer of the Year - Australian Photography magazine
Top 40 - Secret spot - Wilderness Photographer of the Year
Highly commended - Floating in water - Art - Australian Top Emerging Photographer - Capture Magazine