Stories from the Lens of a Nomadic Photographer

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https://www.gabriellapasztor.com/post/stories-from-the-lens-of-a-nomadic-photographer

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When I first met Dom Ryan, he’d just spilt a coffee on his most expensive lens. But instead of getting annoyed about it, he just said “yeah, well, I like the smell of coffee, so it’s all good.” That ‘it’s all good’ attitude pretty well sums up Dom, one of the nicest, most positive and easy-going people I’ve met. And he is also an incredibly talented photographer. I was lucky enough to join him on a sunrise shoot recently at Maroubra Beach, where he told me some of his story.

Dom was given his first camera for Christmas when he was just eleven years old, which he carried everywhere and taught himself how to use. “As I’ve progressively upgraded over the years I’ve added on to that knowledge what new features and capabilities more advanced technology brings. I’m always learning and discovering new techniques and places to point a lens at. That’s the fun of it, the possibilities are endless.” Fast forward to now, and you’ll see Dom has an incredibly impressive collection of photos under his belt. His instagram and website showcase beautifully-taken soft pastel-coloured images from the best beaches, mountains, surf breaks and wildlife from Australia, New Zealand and Bali.

“I love shooting the outdoors, anything that gets me out of the house. I’ve always grown up around the ocean so coastal life is really important to me and I love to incorporate that into my shots. Sunrise is always the best time to shoot as the light and colours they produce are so ideal. Ocean wildlife always fascinates me and whale season is my favourite time of year. I love sitting on the headland and watching them cruise past, always hoping to snap a few breaches. Whenever I’m not near the coast, I love mountains and other natural formations, especially if there’s a hike involved to get to them.”

With so many amazing locations on the east coast of Australia alone, I asked Dom which one was his favourite. “I’ve grown up close to Maroubra Beach pretty much all my life so it’s generally the go-to. But the entire east coast of Australia is a photographer’s haven. I’m going to keep my all-time favourite spot to myself though… but no, it’s not Byron Bay! I also love New Zealand and have been lucky enough to visit three times. It has everything – beaches, mountains; all within mere hours of each other. The landscapes in that country are unbelievable, I’d move over there in a heartbeat.”