Resources for Sydney Photographers

Q: Are there photography schools and education sources?

These are a few recommended places we’d suggest you research for learning about photography and the business of photography.

Photographer Resources; Suppliers, Studios, Jobs & Exhibitions

Photographer resources

There aren’t many articles of this type online we can find for photographers in Sydney, either for new freelancers or for professionals.

So in this article, we give you an overview of interesting stuff that’s related to both photography and Sydney. We’ll be adding to this resource page over time.

Including, jobs, legal concerns with street photography, and some photo suppliers.

Plus Education, whether Self-taught workshops or traditional formal learning in TAFE and other independent schools.

Further down the page is our ‘List of Lists’ on top Photographer websites.

One of our favourite topics is the history of photography in Sydney and its crucial role in documenting the great events and changes over time.

Where Can I Find a Photography Job?

You can find photography jobs in Sydney on these websites

The Loop
Starnow.com
Jora
LinkedIn job postings
Model Mayhem
Visual.artshub.com.au/jobs/
https://visualarts.net.au/job-opportunities/

On most of these sites you can automate with your ‘photographer’ keywords for an auto email alert.

No doubt you’ll already have an eye out on other more common social channels for freelancer opportunities.

Find Photography Suppliers

Photography suppliers and printers in Sydney

Nikon Australia’s services in Rhodes. Using only Nikon cameras and lenses means we rely on their service and expert support when needed. The NPS professional service is great and they have always been helpful and accommodating.

Pixel Perfect photo lab. Some products are printed and sourced from elsewhere such as Emergent Designs. Try them to see which service and prices you like best.

For camera and related equipment we use, George Cameras located at 387 George Street, Sydney, and Didi Direct at Shop 3/75 King Street, Sydney. And also Dragon Image on the north side, huge amount of stock and ample parking at 2 McLachlan Ave, Artarmon NSW.

Top Photographer List of Lists

Here’s a photographer round up of what others are listing as their top photographers.

Many listed are the usual good photographers you’d expect to see. Others are listed because their website met a traffic threshold and presumable will link back to the article article improving their own rankings. And one website looks like it’s a paid membership drive, sign up for the fee and we list you, otherwise not. So take these top photographer lists with a grain of salt.

Other Top Local Photographers;

Adrian Harrison – Has been been shooting great content for many years you can find his website here for Product Photography

Photography List of Lists

pixpa.com/blog/photography-blogs
phlearn.com/magazine/best-photography-blogs/
format.com/magazine/resources/photography/photography-blogs
photoblog.com/learn/best-photography-blogs/
blog.feedspot.com/photography/blogs/
resourcemagonline.com/2014/07/18-great-photography-blogs-reading/40655/
expertphotography.com/best-photographer-bloggers/
detailed.com/photography-blogs/
photographycourse.net/best-photography-blogs-2019/
industrydev.com/top-50-photography-blogs-bloggers/
teckers.com/top-10-photography-blogs/
creativebloq.com/photography/websites-10121096
diyphotography.net/great-photography-blogs-galleries-and-photography-sites/
sitebuilderreport.com/inspiration/photography-website-examples
colorvaleactions.com/blogs/business/blogging-week-1-photographer-blogging
photoworkout.com/best-blogs-learn-photography/

Find a Photo studios

Inner Sydney photo studios, where to find them?

There are many options for creative studio spaces to hire, getting this information in an easy to read way is not so easy. Here’s a few studio’s and places you can hire

Have a look at tagvenue.com/au/hire/photo-studios/sydney, here they list a few around Surry Hills and Sydney CBD. There were a lot more pre restrictions. Prices for studio hire varies greatly depending of the level of services, space, how many inclusions and of course proximity to public transport. Not all talent and assistants have their own car so public transport options should play a big part in deciding which studio.

Another option when searching for a photo shoot studio in Sydney is to use creativespaces.net.au website, it has great search features and easy navigation.

How much are photo studios in inner Sydney?

Most commercial photo studios operate on very small margins. So look at other options if you need a big discount on the advertised prices.

You can expect to pay from $300 per session up to well over $1000 for the larger ones with all the extras you might need for a more complex shoot.

If the costs are above your budget, consider going outdoors or even a friends yard or balcony can be used with extra creativity.

Photography education sources

Are there photography schools and education sources?

There’s a few recommended places we’d suggest you research for learning about photography and the business of photography.

Self taught photography option

One place to gain some knowledge is on informational websites, although some professional photographers websites are all about the services they sell. Other websites are all about affiliate sales offers, so take these with a big scoop of salt.

There are other sites (such as ours) that have articles that have been written to help beginner or intermediate photographers on their journey. The advantage here is that you are getting information directly from working photographers, not just educators or content writers. The disadvantage is that you may need to sift through many pages until you get to the informational content rather than service pages.

Unless of course they have a section in the menu or footer with grouped informative articles ready for your reading. (check out our footer section)

Some websites are all about educating either in photography tips and techniques or or the actual running of a photography business. Check out Andrews podcast and website for starters.

Workshops and formal education options

There are also numerous workshops being offered by current or previous professional photographers in groups or one on one. But the cost can be very high for a year’s worth of education.

Formal schools are a great way to get a more structured learning experience, but can be costly in money and time. So be prepared for that.

Related training courses are available from the Academy of Information Technology ait.edu.au in Ultimo Sydney. They have related courses such as ‘Film making courses’, ‘Digital design courses’, Business courses, IT and related courses.

Also check out ‘The Australian Film Television and Radio School’ AFTRS has multidisciplinary courses that focus on video production, but they have some strong shared learnings for photographers at first glance.

A much cheaper option are the training courses offered at TAFE NSW, tafensw.edu.au/photography When courses are run they will be structured, (hopefully in person), and be within many people’s budget. Plus you also get the essential networking opportunities that will help you along your career in photography.

Before you spend all that time and money for education and experience do your research about your prospects for a photography job in Australia by visiting the Australia Government ‘Job Outlook’ website joboutlook.gov.au/photographers and decide for yourself.

Photography industry journals and magazines in Australia for industry wide general education;

Australia Council for the Arts
NAVA
Artshub
Arts Law Centre of Australia

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Where can I get information on Sydney street photography legalities?

There two great places we know of to get free information about your rights about street photography in Sydney.

One is Arts Law, they cover what you can do and also some areas you need to be aware that in some jurisdictions you need to get permission first. Direct link here.

Such as Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. Other places such as The Sydney Opera House, says no commercial photos of the outside design. Although there may be some leniency as there are a lot of wedding couples that have a professional photographer taking lots of shots.

The other place you can read about street photography rights is titled “Australian Street Photography Legal Issues” although last updated in 2016 it is more of an easy to read style, written by Andrew Nemeth.

Sydney Photography exhibitions

Where do you find Sydney photography exhibitions?

One of the ways to find photo art exhibitions is too look at where they have been held in the past. They are likely to be on show again. Here’s a list of a few photo exhibitions or places in Sydney we know about.

https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/
https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/ world-press-photo-exhibition-2021
https://www.sydney.com/events-exhibitions-and-shows
https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/ tags/photography
https://www.sea.museum/wildlife
https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/ exhibitions/now-and-then
https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/ exhibitions/thousand-words
https://www.mca.com.au/artists-works/exhibitions/sydney-photographed/

History of the art of photography in Sydney

Where can I learn about the history of photography in Sydney?

There are 3 places online where you can get more information about early Sydney photographers.

Photos we love spending hours looking through are the ones from the City of Sydney Council Archive libraries. These early photos have some information on the photographers of the time. Here’s the section that has photos from the significant events in early Sydney.

Early notable photographers in Sydney include;

Percy James Bryant Photographs
Mark Stevens Photograph Collection
Len Stone and Vic Solomons
Mark Goddard Photographs
Tim Cole Photograph Collection
Adam Forrest Grant Urban Collection
Johnny Barker Photographs
Gary Deirmendjian Photographs
C.Moore Hardy Photographs
Graeme Andrews Working Harbour
Brian McInerney Industrial Images
Patricia Baillie Villages
John Ward Transport

Check out the full photo albums here.

The other place is on photo sharing website Flickr. Aussie Jeff beautifully restored photos with notes are a treat to look through. Many have additional thoughtful comments from admirers and give you an insight into the culture of the time.

The other tip on historic Sydney photos are archived on the State Library of NSW website. Well worth your time if you are interested in the early photos of Sydney.

There’s a mixed collection of photos originally in glass negatives including views of Sydney Harbour, Royal Botanic Gardens, and Circular Quay, Sydney, ca. 1890-1910.

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