Hey Reader,
Ever feel like you're doing everything right, but nothing seems to click?
You share your work.
You put yourself out there.
But in a sea of talent and endless content, it’s easy to feel invisible.
Like no matter how hard you try, someone else always seems to have it easier.
I get it.
When I first started, I wanted to shoot massive swim campaigns.
Cool locations. Epic teams. The kind of stuff you see in magazines.
But there was a problem…
I wasn’t around that world.
My friends weren’t models.
I didn’t have access to boats, beach houses, or a network of stylists.
Meanwhile, a colleague of mine back in Australia—let’s call her Sophie—had all of that.
Her friends were models. They had incredible props. They lived the aesthetic.
For her, it was effortless.
For me? It was resistance at every turn.
At the time, it was frustrating.
I was doing everything I could—reaching out, improving my craft, trying to make connections.
But no matter what I did, I kept hitting a wall.
The right people? I didn’t know them.
The best locations? Out of reach.
It felt like others had a shortcut I didn’t.
And honestly? I started wondering if I’d ever break through.
But then I realised something.
I wasn’t playing to my unfair advantages.
Leaning Into What Came Naturally
While I struggled to break into that world, there was something else that had always felt effortless to me.
Travel.
I loved saving up my money and exploring new places.
I had family in Europe, which made it easier (and cheaper) to visit incredible locations.
I had years of experience in hospitality, which gave me a natural understanding of hotels, restaurants, and the travel industry.
And that’s when everything changed.
Instead of forcing my way into a niche that wasn’t mine, I built my photography career around what came naturally.
I didn’t have to search for locations—I was already going there.
I didn’t have to spend a fortune—my connections made travel accessible.
For Sophie, that world would’ve been unrealistic.
She’d never left my hometown of Perth.
She had no ties overseas.
Was it fair? No.
But that’s the point.
Your unfair advantage is unique to you.
It’s the thing that makes photography effortless.
So How Do You Find Yours?
1. Embrace Your Interests
What do you already love doing?
Too many photographers chase a niche that doesn’t naturally fit them.
Instead, lean into what excites you outside of photography.
If you’re obsessed with cars, you probably already know car owners, meet-up spots, and brands in that space—making it easier to build a portfolio.
For me, travel was second nature. For you, it could be anything from surfing to skateboarding to food.
Use photography as an extension of what already feels right.
2. Accept Your Location
Early on, I convinced myself I wanted to be a mountain photographer.
It even played a part in my move to Vancouver.
But once I got there, I realised something… hiking wasn’t actually for me.
The early mornings, the heavy gear, the long treks—it just didn’t excite me the way I thought it would.
I much preferred the beach.
And now, years later, I’m in Barcelona—surrounded by the Mediterranean, golden light, and vibrant streets.
Two completely different places, but one thing stayed the same… what I was naturally drawn to.
Instead of chasing a location that didn’t suit me, I should have embraced what already felt right.
And that’s the key.
Your location is an advantage.
Maybe you live in a city filled with architecture and street life that others travel miles to shoot.
Or maybe you’re surrounded by countryside, quiet landscapes, or local culture that no one else is capturing.
Where you are right now gives you effortless access to something unique.
Use it.
3. Lean on Your Network
The people you know are a shortcut to opportunities—just like Nikola (pictured above), a friend from my family’s island who has a little boat.
Because of that connection, I’ve explored hidden spots that most tourists never see—secluded coves, cliff-jumping spots, and quiet hideaways that aren’t on any map.
That kind of access doesn’t just create better photos—it creates effortless opportunities that others simply don’t have.
Early on, I wasn’t booking luxury trips or scouting exclusive locations.
I was staying with family and friends in Europe, capturing unique places that would have otherwise been out of reach.
That gave me the chance to build a portfolio—creating high-quality images without the high costs.
And that portfolio? It became my foot in the door.
It led to new connections, collaborations, and eventually, the kind of work I do today.
Maybe you already have access to brands, artists, or a niche that others don’t.
A friend with a café who needs content.
A cousin with a clothing brand.
A local business that trusts you.
These aren’t just casual connections—they’re shortcuts to building the kind of work that attracts even bigger opportunities.
When you start with what’s in front of you, momentum builds faster.
If you have trust and access, doors open much easier.
The bottom line?
You don’t need to force your way into spaces that weren’t built for you.
You just need to find your unfair advantage… and run with it.
