Personal one - Melinda cartmer interview
How are you today?Today is a good day
Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your journey as a photographer?
I’m Melinda Cartmer, a photographer and Mum of two boys from Sydney, Australia. I was one of the lucky ones who always knew what they wanted to do approaching the end of high school. We studied photography as one of our subjects in year 11. In those days, the darkroom was where the magic happened. I was mesmerised by the images developing before my eyes, and that’s how I fell in love with photography. At the age of 19 or 20, I got my first job in an e-commerce studio for a large online retailer. At the time, I was completing my Diploma in Photography at TAFE Ultimo and shooting gigs at nightclubs on weekends. I then started assisting photographers (Mainly Emily Abay), whilst building my business on the side. In 2016, I quit my job and went freelance, and I’ve been living the dream ever since!
“ I can’t wait to see the introduction of AI and art become more prevalent
How would you describe your style or approach to photography? I’ve never given much thought to my photography style, as it has evolved significantly over the years. I would consider myself a minimalist in a sense. I prefer clean lines and simple backgrounds.
When did you first hear about this exhibition? I first heard about the exhibition when Sergio emailed me, and I was very excited to see the tradition of sharing personal work being carried on.
Is this your first time participating, or have you been part of it before? This will be my second time exhibiting at Sun/Lunar.
If you’ve attended in past years, what’s your strongest memory of the exhibition?
I recall attending the exhibition, possibly over eight years ago. I was star-struck by all of the amazing photographers there, whom I had looked up to for many years. I ended up buying a gorgeous print by Georges Antoni, and it still hangs in my bedroom today. He kindly signed it for me.
How did it feel to see all the works displayed together on the wall in past editions? It is a reminder of how photographs are meant to be displayed. How beautiful they all look, largely printed for everyone to admire. A stark contrast to the images we all view on our phones and computers.
What does it mean to you personally to be part of this collective exhibition? It is an honour to be asked to exhibit again this year. It was on my manifestations list the year before I was approached. To me, it means that people appreciate my work and recognise me as a creative.
“ I was one of the lucky ones who always knew what they wanted to do approaching the end of high school
What do you hope audiences will take away from experiencing your work
here? A bit of escapism, I guess. Stepping out of the real world for a minute and asking yourself about the photograph, mainly, “Who is she?”
How do you see the photography scene today, especially with younger generations coming through? It is a very competitive market, that’s for sure. It isn't easy to be seen or stand out from the crowd. I think the younger generations are changing up the scene, and I can’t wait to see the introduction of AI and art become more prevalent. The possibilities are endless, and that excites me.
Has the exhibition influenced or inspired your perspective on photography in any way? For sure, it reminds me to keep shooting personal work, even when you are busy with clients or commercial work. It’s what keeps me driven and engaged in my craft.
What projects have you been working on recently (If you can tell)? I recently came back from Europe and am excited to share some of the work I shot in Spain.
Looking back, is there a past project you consider a milestone or turning point
in your career? When I first went freelance, I was able to live at home with my boyfriend’s family. This was a huge help in being able to accept the jobs I wanted to do, rather than accepting just ‘any’ job. Having the financial pressure taken off really helped me build up my client base.
How has your photography evolved from when you first started until today?
Less contrast, more mood!
What inspires you right now—whether in photography or beyond?
Other photographers in my space are constantly inspiring me! The amount of talent we have in Australia is incredible, and I draw inspiration from the little details I see in others' work, whether that be the light, the mood, the styling, or the model.
What equipment are you currently using, and why? I shoot with a Canon R5, typically using a 24-70 mm, 70-200 mm, or 100mm macro lens. I love this setup as it allows me to capture everything I need. For lighting, I generally use Aputure these days.
How does your gear shape your process or the kind of results you aim for? The gear I use allows me to switch seamlessly between shooting a portrait image, a landscape, a crop, and a macro. Clients generally want a range of shots like this in most shoots. Shooting with Aputure simply makes it easier for the whole team to produce a cohesive body of work on the day. I enjoy collaborating with videographers to optimise the lighting that yields the best results for both of us.
Is there a photographer, work, or experience that has been especially influential in your path? I think assisting Emily Abay really helped me see light differently. It taught me to pay attention to the shadows, the highlights, and everything in between. How to play with light to make interesting shots. She also taught me really great work ethic and how to interact with clients professionally.
What advice would you give to amateur photographers visiting the exhibition?
To any aspiring photographers visiting this exhibition, keep yourself immersed in the community. That will propel you forward and keep you inspired to create even better work.
Anything you want to add?
Thank you to Selena, Sergio and the whole Lunar team for making this exhibition a reality. Thank you for caring about our work - you're legends!
Check Melinda's web here.
