Creating with Photographer Stephanie Rooney
INTERVIEW BY IMO
Q&A
WITH STEPHANIE ROONEY
GEELONG . VIC
I guess you could say I’m attracted to colourful things - I love BOLD and BRIGHT - so naturally when I came across Stephanie’s work at The Ko Market I was stopped in my tracks. I instantly knew this was an artist I wanted to feature on our Journal and style with our beds... Al must have read my mind because he struck up a conversation with Steph and now here we are! We photographed our new Box Drawer Ledge Bed on Monday with Stephanie’s artwork “Between The Lines” from her recent collection “LENTO”. Dreams do come true.
Other business owners can probably relate when I say it can be quite isolating working on your small business from home and one of the reasons we started our Journal is because Al and I were craving ‘creative conversations’. This space has given us a platform reach out to others and build a face-to-face relationship. I had the opportunity to catch up with Steph for a coffee a couple of weeks ago at my local Common Ground Project, where we chatted all things business, community and lifestyle.
Stephanie filled me in on her latest series titled 'Lento' which was captured in the vibrant town Lagos in southern Portugal's Algarve region (stops to check flights). Lento translates to 'slow' in Portuguese which Steph felt was a fitting title that reflected the vibes she had from her stay. Stephanie really made a conscious effort to enjoy the quieter moments as she walked through the residential streets. “The vibrant almost cartoon like architecture made me so joyous!”.
I’m sure you’re going to absolutely love hearing Stephanie’s journey and if you’re interested in checking out “Lento” the exhibition is open through January by appointment and until February 28th open Mon-Fri at The KO creative studio. You can also view the full Moona + Co collection online here and follow the journey on Instagram at @moonaandco. Click here to view Stephanie’s amazing interiors and product photography.
I hope you find inspiration and joy from reading Stephanie’s story, we sure did! I look forward to many more collaborations with Stephanie and have a feeling that this is the start of a long and colourful friendship.
x IMO
Box Drawer Ledge Bed
What got you interested in PHOTOGRAPHY?
It wasn't always the plan. I studied Archeology and Anthropology and was getting to the pointy end of my degree when I had a change of heart and really wanted to pursue a creative career. I borrowed a camera for my application folio and before I knew it I was falling in love with the craft learning camera and lighting techniques at RMIT. I loved how hands on the Diploma course was and I made great friends. We spent weekends helping each other on shoots and I started assisting in my second year. By the end of the course I was working as an assistant more than I was in class I loved the real world learning so much!
How would you describe your style & where do you find inspiration?
With my travel photography my style has evolved quite a lot over the years with Lento being quite a different series than anything else I've done. The inspiration and style are very much depended on the location and how I am feeling in my life at that time. Although the constant throughout my travel imagery is that I tend to capture landscapes or architectural images that are void of people. I find these scenes to be very calming. When I'm traveling I don't carry my camera with me everyday I have a more intentional method. I tend to decide ok today I am going for a walk and I'll capture the series. If i'm not content with the results I'll go out again another day when I'm in the right mood or revisit locations at a better lighting time.
You’rE predominantly an interior, architecture and product photographer, what inspired you to create Moona + Co?
Years ago I had a few prints framed for my own home from my travels to Turkey and the Greek Islands and I had many friends and family comment on them so I started to give them as gifts. It was always an idea in the back of my mind that it would be great to share them with the world as many photographer do. Last year I decided it was time and so I went through my archives and curated the initial collection from Turkey, Greek Islands and Japan. Starting an online store has been a massive learning curve and I'm still navigating but it was extremely exciting to have my first exhibition with the 'Lento' series at The KO in Geelong which is still open until the end of February!
Can you give us insight into your inspiration, processes as an artists and the journey of your most recent collection LENTO?
'Lento' was captured in July 2019. I took my time editing it down to the current prints, there were some more natural landscapes I also captured but I was particularly drawn to the architectural images so that's the direction I went. Who knows I may release the landscape later! I also changed to a local Geelong printer with this collection. Which was in an effort to support local business and also minimise the time I spent driving to Melbourne. Starting with a new printer was a journey and we did a few test prints to really nail the colours. Moona + Co is my personal creative outlet although I work in a creative world with the print series I get to make all the decisions and really create what I want to which is a fun process.
Like us you moved away from the big smoke of Melbourne to set up down here on the coast, how has the move away from the city changed your work?
I've been in Geelong two years now and the first year I still traveled to Melbourne five days to shoot. Last year I decided that needed to change and have been slightly more selective with Melbourne work and have been more active in building a network in Geelong. I love living close to the beach and I find living here there is much more of a work life balance which is amazing!
“I love living close to the beach and I find living here there is much more of a work life balance which is amazing!” - Stephanie
Was there a defining point where you moved full time into your business - can you describe that decision / move?
I've been a full time freelance photographer since I graduated in 2013 so I don't really know any different. Moona + Co is my creative outlet side project although when I was building the website and launching it did feel like a full time job. Now the amount of time I spend on it depends on how busy I am with my photography clients.
What does a day typical day look like for you?
Everyday is different as all freelance business owners would know, it really depends if I am shooting or at the computer. Today for example I took Kevin my kelpie to Torquay for a big beach walk then came home to settle into a few hours on the computer. Emails liaising with clients booking in jobs, quoting, retouching shoots from the previous days shoots. I have a home office and have learnt over the last few years that it takes a lot of will power to dedicate time to work and not be distracted by the house, fridge or Kevin. I have spent a few days here and there working out of The KO creative space which is awesome for productivity and meeting people and the bonus is they have great coffee!
“I have a home office and have learnt over the last few years that it takes a lot of will power to dedicate time to work and not be distracted by the house, fridge or Kevin.” - Stephanie
Have you implemented any sustainable practices in your business?
With Moona + Co I recently changed to a local Geelong printer to minimise my time spent driving to Melbourne. I also reuse the postage tubes I get from the printer when I can if I'm posting that print framed. The nature of the online store is that I only print to order so I have minimal wastage once I've done the initial test prints. I've kept the test prints as office decoration also.
Box Drawer Ledge Bed
Your top 5 practical tips for running a small business?
Build a network sincerely. I've been lucky to find clients and collaborators that are true friends. Find your people and support each other.
Know your worth. Figure out the costs of running the business and providing the services and do research on the industry standard rates. At the end of the day you need to put food on the table and pay the bills.
Master time management. I still struggle with this one sometimes but it's so valuable. There is so much admin in running a business you need to be on top of it or know when to outsource.
Roll with the punches. It's a massive learning curve, there will be bad days and you will learn from them. Also celebrate the wins even the small ones.
Work your butt off.
“Build a network sincerely. I've been lucky to find clients and collaborators that are true friends. Find your people and support each other.” - Stephanie
Advice for others wanting to pursue their passion?
Do it. If you've got the passion then why not? Passion converts to hard work and you'll figure the rest out as you go. Seek out like minded people and people in the same industry see if you can shadow them and learn a bit about what it would be like. My years assisting are almost more valuable than my years at RMIT. I'd say get some experience in the real world and you'll know pretty quickly if it's for you or not.
“Passion converts to hard work and you'll figure the rest out as you go.” - Stephanie
Exciting new projects on the horizon?
I've had inquires for some Australian landscapes so I think the next series will be a local one. Stay tuned I'd say it'll be mid year.
Lastly how do you slow down?
Beach walks with Kevin. Time without the phone or computer is so dreamy.
‘LENTO’ BY STEPHANIE ROONEY
My latest series titled 'Lento' was captured in the vibrant town Lagos in southern Portugal's Algarve region. Lento translates to 'slow' in Portuguese I felt this was a fitting title that reflected the vibes I had from my stay. I really made a conscious effort to enjoy the quieter moments as I walked through the residential streets. The vibrant almost cartoon like architecture made me so joyous!
CHECK OUT Stephanie’s collection ‘LENto’ HERE
Photography by Stephanie Rooney // Styling By Lenvie Collective // Linen by MILOU MILOU
We’ve started this journal in hope that through us sharing stories like Stephanie’s it encourages others to -
Be creative.
To follow your passion project.
Support local artists, makers & society shakers.
Our hope is that through us showcasing small, local and ethical artists/ makers/ businesses it encourages others to support locally, handmade.