Carolyn Haslett

Carolyn's career has seen her work in Europe and Australasia. Not only a photographer but a make-up artist too, Carolyn works naturally in advertising, beauty and fashion, she has been published in Fashion Quarterly, New Zealand Weddings and others. She loves beauty and loves photography, two things that go together and have endless possibilities.

Where are you based?  
Central Auckland

What initially interested you into photography?
My mother had a box brownie that she used to take family photos with, I picked it up when I was 13 and fell in love with the whole process, I used to get so excited to get my photos printed.  From that point on, I always had that camera with me.  It became a priority for me to use any money I had to get my images printed.
 
 
Tell us a little about your style of photography.
My style is quite natural, and whenever possible I use available light. I don't like my images to look too tweaked or perfect.
 
 
What gear do you use?
I have just recently switched to Canon, and I have a 5dMkIII, a 24-70mm, 70-200mm and a 100mm macro lens. I'll be buying either a 85mm 1.2 soon or another prime lens.

 If you had to choose only one lens, what would it be and why?
I think it would be a 24-70mm for its flexibility, as this would cover me for a wide range of different jobs
 
 
What is/has been your greatest challenge as a photographer?
Doing a website is very challenging, (although I can think of more descriptive words I would use to summarize how I feel regarding this whole process!) It's so hard find to the right person to use, and there are so many variables. Also staying on top of all the information that's involved with digital photography can seem endless.

 
What do you feel has been your greatest photographic achievement to date?
I did a shoot in India a couple of years ago, it was 46 degrees, I didn't have an assistant, was in charge of the hair and makeup and I had just had major foot surgery, coming off the crutches a week before we left. That is definitely my biggest accomplishment!

 
If you weren't a photographer, what would you be?
I would have liked to work with dogs in some capacity, maybe an organization that protects their welfare, perhaps in countries where they have the least protection and are vulnerable.

 
What would be your dream job or assignment to shoot?
My dream job would be a very large advertising job shooting for example, a hotel in the Maldives, or on the Italian coast, somewhere like this, so shooting the interiors and some people in that sort of environment.

 
What tips or advice do you have for budding photographers?
You can have all the best gear or technical knowledge, but if you haven't got the eye then you will have perfect but boring pictures.  It's important to have passion and a good eye then you will get good images.

What are your thoughts towards videography - do you see yourself moving on to shoot more video than stills in your work?
Not sure at this stage. I haven't done a lot of it myself - unsure if we all have to go down that path.
 
 
Are you a fan of using flash in your work?
Only when I have to, not that keen on it, makes life easy though for studio etc.
 
 
In your opinion, what makes a good photograph?
The subject matter has to be interesting and draw you in. If it's a portrait, is the person engaging you in some way?

 
What do enjoy doing to take a break from photography, what recharges you?
Doing very little, being somewhere near a beach, reading, eating good food, not having any obligations, turning off the phone and not touching a computer.

 
Who motivates or inspires you to keep doing what you do?
I love my job and fortunately I can earn my living from it, I get inspiration from some of the people I know, and the rest comes from research.
 
Visit Carolyns website here