Just a couple of shots from Cuba that are standing out to me at the moment. Will post more as I edit.

Australian sign writing is the best.

Back in old Sydney town after an amazing 4 week adventure to Mexico, Cuba and New York! Photos to follow...
However this week I have just put up some of my photos and hand printed cards at the lovely Not Just Coffee cafe in Paddington. There are upstairs in their little tucked away area, so if your out and about pop in and check it out!

Taken me a while to post these. My camera lab took forever to return my film that i shot on this day.
Thanks to everyone who helped me out on this warmer than usual day in September. If you would like to participate in this series, please drop me a line sarah@sarahholmesphotography.com

Sydney's Concrete Playground just published this story about 10 Images that changed the world.
Check their 10 here.
My image that changed the world from their top ten, would have to be the Migrant Mother, 1936 by Dorothea Lange. I remember seeing this image time and time again within photo documentary books and videos.

Although one of my images that changed my world would be a little different. For starters it would HAVE to include Steve McCurry's Afghan Girl, 1984. This image stares back at you from the cover of a magazine. It was the most circulated image of the time, and almost everyone today know this image. I remember it from sitting on top of my dad's magazine table. It also brought up the thought that do all photographers just go around snapping images and not taking a second thought about their subjects? Did this girl sign a model release? Was she paid for the royalties? So it was great to know that McCurry went back to find her in 2002 and formally identified her as Sharbat Gula. Now National Geographic has set up the Afghan Children's Fund, a charitable organisation with the goal of educating Afghan girls & boys and young women in recognition of her.

I am the type of person that collects various images from all over the internet and then hoards them in a folder on my desktop called "Inspiration". I guess that makes me an online hoarder. So, in order to clear myself of some of these things and then take some inspiration from everything for the second time, I thought i could start posting some images on here that I really like.
And where better to start then some amazing black and white photographs from Roger Ballen.
Ballen has been shooting for years and is a true minimalist. he believes that shooting on black and white film, he "does not pretend to mimic the world in a manner similar to the way the human eye might perceive".
I really love how Ballens images portray a sincere insight to ordinary people and their lives all within one single frame.

This week I was asked to be interviewed for a photography students assignment.
Below are the answers i answered. Some of them have stuck me with a little.... Makes me want to go out an take loads of pictures!!


1.How long have you been a photographer?
I have been shooting with a camera since i did my HSC in 1999, so 13 years!

2. What inspires you to do what you do?
I love going out and seeing thing differently to everyone else... hard when travelling in a group! Its like I can think straight when I have a camera in my hand.

3. What area of photography does your works focus on?
I try to focus on an interesting subject matter, something that catches my eye and makes my mind tick. Something a little left of field.

4. How would you describe your style?
Unobtrusive and unique and hopefully interesting to viewers.

5. Why did you choose to focus on this specific area of photography?
I dont think I keep to one certain area of photography. I dabble in quite a few. I guess I could be described as a social documentary photographer that also does travel?!

6. Do you shoot analogue, digital or both? (do you remember your first camera?)
I shoot both. I generally tend to carry round one of each most days! My first camera was a point and shoot Pentax camera that I saved up for when I was 16. I bought it from the local chemist shop. I was so proud. I actually think i still have that camera...

7. Where did you study? Did you go to school to study photography?
I did 3 years at Sydney College of the Arts majoring in Photo Media.

8. At what moment in life did you know you wanted to become a photographer?
I dont think I actually ever thought "I want to be a photographer" as such, I just really enjoyed taking pictures and could earn money from doing so. Then a few years ago I retrained as a graphic designer and about 12 months into that it hit me, I want to be a photographer!

9. Is there anything you would have done differently during your photographic career?
I would have pushed myself a little more when I was younger. Been a little bolder.

10. What's the best part of being a photographer?
Everything really. I love getting a new piece of equipment and never letting it go. I love having an excuse to travel to somewhere new and explore.

11. Did you run your own business/studio?
I had my own market stall which supported me full time for quite a while. I sold prints through this and got wedding work and other shoots.

12. Do you have any advise for aspiring photographers?
Learn everything you can!!

Currently planning to do another full day of shoot this Sunday, August 26th. If you would like to be apart, please drop me a line at sarah@sarahholmesphotography.com and suggest a time that you are free. The shoot itself will only take 5-10 minutes of your time, and I will be forever grateful.