Interview * Jacqui Henshaw * Photographic Artist

‘Tara Now’ by Jacqui Henshaw. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

‘Tara Now 2’ by Jacqui Henshaw. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

‘Sunny & Anna’ by Jacqui Henshaw. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

‘Level 2’ by Jacqui Henshaw. Part of the evocative ‘Travelling while standing still‘ series. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles

‘The Doors’ by Jacqui Henshaw. An urban Landscape Portrait that is part of the evocative ‘Travelling while standing still‘ series. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

‘Kyoto Moon’ by Jacqui Henshaw. Part of the evocative ‘Travelling while standing still‘ series. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

Feeling as NERVOUS as I was THRILLED, I wound my way up Mt Macedon to meet OUTSTANDING photographic artist Jacqui Henshaw who was on location to shoot a Landscape Portrait at ‘Karori’ the enchanting home of Dominic & Marie Romeo (whose story features on The Countryphiles in the next few weeks). How on earth I was going to muster up enough courage to photograph such a talented photographer didn’t bare thinking about! BREATHE. Relax. Stay CALM & carry on! Fortunately for me, Jacqui is as WARM and NURTURING as she is TALENTED!

With many years’ professional experience in still life, fashion, landscape and commercial photography (which includes being the photographer for Melbourne’s original ‘Georges’ store in Collins Street and for Kirsty Manning-Wilcox and Peta Heine’s beautiful cookbook ‘We Love Food‘) Jacqui truly is INSPIRING.

A finalist twice over in the 2011 Doug Moran National Photographic Prize (for ‘Tara Now’ and ‘Sunny & Anna’ above), Jacqui’s newest focus is creating ‘Landscape Portraits’ which broaden what is conventionally expected of a ‘portrait’ and combine it with an intimate interpretation of ‘landscape’. “So many people spend so much time and devotion making their private spaces look beautiful only to hang images of other places, spaces and faces on their walls,” reflects Jacqui. “From such ponderings, the idea of creating ‘Landscape Portraits’ chrystalised.”

Jacqui’s Landscape Portraits capture not only her clients’ space and place but their life,  passions and loves. “I try to capture their world and their essence and interpret it through the landscape they live in. Most people are really attached to their space and often without realising it they put a recognisable ‘imprint’ on it; this is what I attempt to capture. Each Landscape Portrait I create says as much about the people who live there as it does about the landscape.”

Jacqui’s Mum describes Jacqui as a bit of a “gypsy” – a description Jacqui embraces. “I love moving through changing landscapes and capturing the different seasons in cities and the countryside, on the coast and among pastoral expanses, in Australia and Internationally.” Jacqui’s Landscape Portraits are but one of her creative explorations of the photographic medium because, as she puts it, she is on a “journey of the art form itself.” So, watch THIS space! So many inspirational things are no doubt yet to come from this extremely gifted photographer. Jacqui is represented by Bellholme.

‘Manicured Visions’ by Jacqui Henshaw. The series ‘Manicured Visions’, which exhibited at the Edmund Pearce Gallery, was inspired by Jacqui’s reflections on the way people curate and direct their lives. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

‘Manicured Visions’ by Jacqui Henshaw. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

Landscape Portrait by Jacqui Henshaw. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

Gossamer layering is part of Jacqui’s unique style. Landscape Portrait by Jacqui Henshaw. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

‘The Jetty’ by Jacqui Henshaw. Landscape Portrait. Limited edition of 5. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

Jacqui on location for a fashion shoot. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

OKAY, I advise you to take a deep breath as I move you from the sublime subtley of Jacqui’s photographic art to The Countryphiles’ highly contrasting and somewhat boisterous celebration of autumnal colour! Thank you Jacqui for allowing The Countryphiles to tag along during your photoshoot. You are an inspiration! A big thank you to Dominic and Marie Romeo for allowing The Countryphiles to attend Jacqui’s shoot at ‘Karori’. We had a wonderful morning in a spectacular setting and were totally SPOILT with a fireside coffee and scrumptious petit fours! People like you are the reason I LOVE my job so much. x

Jacqui Henshaw gets a feel for ‘Karori’ and its extraordinary gardens before she sets up to shoot a Landscape Portrait. Photo/Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

Checking the light. I do my best to sneak a photo of the photographer. Photo/Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

Ooh, I couldn’t resist snapping this magnificent tapestry of woven autumnal colour. Photo/Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

The beautiful and talented Jacqui Henshaw. Photo/Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

The artist’s ‘tools of the trade’. Photo/Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

Flame tree. Photo/Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

Hey! Little did I know. I thought Jacqui was taking a photo of the ornamental vine when all the while she was taking a photo of me taking a photo of her! ‘The Countryphiles’ by Jacqui Henshaw. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

There she goes again! ‘The Countryphiles #2’ by Jacqui Henshaw. Photo – supplied. Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles.

Snap! Thank you for a glorious and inspirational afternoon Jacqui. It was an honour to ‘click’ in your company! TC x Photo/Production – Danielle White/The Countryphiles. 

Tell us a little bit about your background – what path led you to becoming a professional photographer?

I was born in Albury, travelled quite a bit and over the years lived in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. I studied painting and fine arts in  year 12 in Melbourne which was when I discovered photography and realised how much I enjoyed being able to construct a story using my camera. I entered RMIT and did a BA in Photography.

Can you give us a little insight into your creative process?

Years of life’s influences, which make all artists different. I am passionate about people, fascinated with how they live and think and perceive the world around them. When I create a portrait of someone I ask them to brief me on what they want to convey. However, for a fine art Landscape Portrait I seek the client’s permission to journey through their own personal landscape without their direction. I seek to uncover areas of the landscape that can be singled out as a moment in time that will speak to them for all time.

How do you approach your subject matter?

Patiently and with open arms and an open mind. If I have no preconceived idea, I can be open to opportunities that present themselves.

How would you describe your general photography aesthetic?

I see the beauty in imperfection.

What are your influences?

The Macedon Ranges is the home of a thousand images and experiences.

Where or who do you draw your inspiration from?

Japanese photographer Shinzo Maeda as well as artists Picasso, Charles Blackman, Inge King, John Brack, Albert Namajira, and amazing surgeons like Ash Chehata.

You have a studio in St. Kilda but live in Macedon. What path led you to move to the country?

My husband had never lived out of Melbourne and I wanted my daughters to experience life in the country like I did as a child.

Do you consider yourself/selves to be ‘Countryphile/s’? Do you love country life? Why?

I think my husband is more ‘Countryphiled’ than me; he works from home and enjoys being there for our 2 daughters and relishes the view out his home-office window. I call my car the ‘think tank’ and I love travelling through the landscape. My mother nick-named me ‘gyps’y and I feel she is right; I feel comfortable when I’m moving. Residing in the Macedon Ranges allows me to be always moving from one town to another for supplies or dining or work. Two years ago, I was involved in an accident and needed an operation. The friends in the community delivered food for over 2 weeks. I was more overwhelmed about this amazing country community support than the accident!

What is a typical day in work life like; from when you wake to when you go to sleep?

There’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ day. But, perhaps in general, I leave early for city jobs at 6 am, coffee take-away at ‘Sitka‘ in Macedon and then more coffee at ‘Cafe Bruce’ in St Kilda. Depending what’s on for the day, I might set-up lighting for a fashion client in the studio with my assistant and work solidly until around 6pm then head home by about 8pm. If I’m doing a country-based Landscape Portrait I can be shooting quite early in the morning, meeting friends at ‘Colenso‘ or heading to ‘Bellholme‘ in Kyneton where my Art work is represented.

What aspect of country life are you loving MOST at the moment?

The ever-changing landscape as I drive home; the colour change.

What is the most CHALLENGING aspect of country life?

Keeping our city friends; organising a lunch every few months helps too!

Do you prefer Coffee or Tea?

I now drink soy latte, but I have to start the day with a black tea and 1/2 a sugar.

Your favourite country café and why?

Both ‘Sitka‘ in Macedon and ‘Mt Macedon Trading Post‘ in Mount Macedon, ‘Colenso’ in Woodend and in Kyneton I’m totally torn between ‘Mr Carsisi’ and ‘Little Swallow’. In the city, it’s ‘Bruces Café’ in Carlisle St. St Kilda. My favourite Melbourne restaurant was ‘Syracuse’ and ‘Colenso’ feels very similar.

What and where was the last great meal you enjoyed/shared in the country?

Star Anise when they were open on Piper Street and a Pinot Noir Degustation Dinner at Bentinck in Woodend also Kirsty Manning-Wilcox’s ‘Chestnut Harvest Extravaganza’ [Co-writer for We Love Food, with Pete Heine].

Would you ENCOURAGE others to live a country life? Why/why not?

I think friendship base is really important, so if you have a close friendship group and you are not into change this is NOT for you, so visit, holiday and taste the delights on a part-time basis or buy a holiday home! If you love change and miss country life this IS for you. x

What ADVICE would you give those dreaming of making a TREE CHANGE?

Rent for a while to make sure you like the town, you may find the frienships build in a local town near by! My friends are from Macedon to Malmsbury and anywhere in between.

What can we expect NEXT from you/your business in the future?

Change. Certain business frameworks like portraiture & landscape will continue but my approach will continue to evolve. Moving Image is next on the agenda.

What are you looking FORWARD to and why?

Continuing to watch my family have fun and enjoy the ride and the new friends and contacts that come from what I do.

What would be your dream project?

To travel Australia and create Landscape Portraits for country and city lovers!

Can you list for us 6 specific things you turn to/do when you need of a ‘dose’ of city life?

1. Coffee or lunch with beautiful city& country friends!

2. NGV Gallery

3. The Journal Café

4. Ian Potter

5. Nicholas Building [Edmund Pearce Galley & Vanessa Lucas bespoke designer]

6. Listen to Hetty Kate – Jazz singer – who plays at The Paris Cat a Jazz Club in Goldie Lane.

Jacqui Henshaw

Photographic Artist

www.jkhenshaw.com