Alexandra Bernard
1. Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
I'm from the small town of Willow Tree in rural NSW, Australia. I remember at a young age wanting to take photos and being that annoying one at family events that wanted to take photos of everyone using my Mum's camera. My parents gave me my own camera for Christmas when I was around 9 and that set me on my path.
2. Where did you study photography?
In my first semester of a journalism degree at Bond University I took a photography class.
3. Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
I think the first shot I took myself was at the zoo. I've always loved zebras so wanted to take my own photo of them using my parent's camera.
4. What equipment do you use?
I use a canon 600D, nothing too fancy but a good quality camera I saved up and bought myself in high school. I'm hoping to upgrade some time soon!
5. What do you hope to achieve?
I want to try and take things as artistically as possible and really highlighting the little things.
6. What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
I put out a photobook showcasing my local area and I had so many lovely compliments on the back of that. One of them was from someone I didn't really know at the time and was very gushing about it all. The fact that I didn't know them well really inspired me to continue and take more.
7. What inspires your unique storytelling?
Noticing the little things. It's so important for me to try and take things differently and I really love a good close up and experimenting with different angles.
8. What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
Creative, artistic & natural
9. Congratulations! As the winner of the London Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
It's such an honour. I haven't been doing photography professionally for very long so to be internationally recognised is so exciting. I have lots of people tell me how much they like my photos but to have other professionals award my photos is a whole new level.
10. Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2022 London Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
My platinum winning photograph was taken on one of my absolute favourite mornings. I went out to a property near Willow Tree before dawn to watch the sunrise from on top of a hill. I was taking photos of the properties canola crop and was so mesmorised by the grid and the long shadows cast by the trees in the early morning. I decided to enter this photo as it was something different to the standard crop photo and has been one of my favourite shots.
11. Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Being in Australia I always loved going to the Ken Duncan Gallery growing up and that inspired me from the start.
12. What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
I think just to keep taking photos.
13. What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Doing my own thing and continuous experimenting. There's a lot of technical elements involved in photography that I got bogged down in to start with but now I'm also trying to push boundaries and do things differently as well as including those.
14. How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
Things are changing all the way and I'm always keen to try new things.
