The Photographer My career so far has seen me shooting comercially from a base in the UK, and now I am back in New Zealand. It's been a winding road but an enjoyable journey, and the photographer I am today has been built from many questions that were asked along the way...1991"Why study art and photography when you can train to take over your father's successful accountancy firm?"1995"Is quitting your photography course to be the full time assistant to a successful commercial photographer really the best thing to do?"1997"Would travelling overseas give me more experience than working to take over my boss' studio?"A little bit later in 1997"Maybe I should have caught the bus, instead of hitch hiking from jerusalem, through the west bank and back to Amman"1998"How would you feel about driving the van with all our gear to Italy, joining the ship then sailing to the Caribbean to photograph in the islands?"Again in 1998"What do you mean, you might have to deport me back to Mexico?"1999(Customer) "I'm having trouble with a camera I bought from your company."(Me) "And which make of camera would that be, sir?"(Customer) "I don't really know. It's a black one."2000"So you're quitting an easy job in camera retail to get paid lots of money from the Saudi Government to shoot tourism images all over Saudi Arabia, in case their oil runs out soon. And every three months you'll have to take a week's holiday to renew your work visa. You'll have a guide, an interpreter and the King's pass to go pretty much any where you want. Sure that sounds great, but wont you miss Birmingham?"2001"Excuse me (Said to the two beautiful swedish sisters, sitting on the greek island beach). We're doing a photoshoot for the resorts, how would you like a day of free water sports?"2003"What was it like seeing your first national billboard campaign all over the UK?"2004"Welcome back to New Zealand. Will you be staying permanently?"Three days later..."How would you like to buy my commercial photography business?"2007"Are you sure that car will float?"2008"The agency in London loved what you did for their New Zealand launch, how would you feel shooting in South America for the same company?"2010My new Novel 'The Madness of Hallen' is launched, and I asked myself... "Did I really say I would write three more?"www.thekhaladastone.com2011This year's question is up to youPersonally mine is:"Are we going to win the rugby world cup this year?"I am a photographer who likes to work closely with the agency or business involved, or with those driving the concepts. I believe a photographer should become an integral part of your marketing plan, not just some one you employ to do a specific job. The greater understanding and knowledge I have of your advertising campaign, the better equipped I am to do your photography.I shoot people and product, on location or from my studio in Mt Eden, Auckland.If there is anything you wish to know...Please ask.
