Adelaide’s Domenic Scopelliti of Visual Domain crowned SA’s best photographer
From a struggling art student to South Australia’s best photographer, a rising talent says he has a teacher to thank for helping him turn a passion into a career. See the top five as voted by you.
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When a high school art teacher prompted this young creative to pick up a camera instead of pencil, he had no idea it would turn out to become his livelihood.
From there, Visual Domain was born and now 21 year old Domenic Scopelliti has snapped up the honour of South Australia’s best photographer.
Described as “the epitome of creative genius”, Mr Scopelliti amassed nominations for his passion and professionalism capturing special moments and the voters agreed, coming out on top of Messenger’s latest Best Of poll.
The Rostrevor College graduate has a teacher to thank for his initiation into photography and his craftsmanship behind the lens.
“In high school I studied art and I couldn’t draw at all so my teacher decided to hand me a camera and said ‘take some photos instead of trying to draw’ and I just fell in love with photography,” Mr Scopelliti said.
“I started taking photos for my friend’s birthday parties in the rest is history, really.”
From scenic, celebratory and event imagery, Mr Scopelliti has no specific niche and says as long as it involves people, he’s shooting it.
“I’m honoured that out of an amazing list of photographers and photographers that I admire, that I have come out on top, which is something I didn’t even think I could do,” he said.
“I think it’s just a testament to the work I put in and that I can honestly do anything with what I put my mind to.
“I just love to photograph people in moments and capturing a moment that could last a lifetime.”
But most events and celebrations falling victim to the pandemic over the past year, Mr Scopelliti took the opportunity to reassess his direction.
“Covid was pretty tough,” he said.
“I think it was a good time to sit back and look at the business and see where we can diversify and that’s where I took on more of the commercial side of things and I’ve been falling in love with that even more.”
SA’S TOP FIVE PHOTOGRAPHERS
1. Domenic Scopelliti - Visual Domain
2. Hannah Howard - On The Ball Media
Sports photographer Hannah Howard captures the raw moments of SANFL’s Woodville West Torrens Football Club, Netball South Australia and Matrix Netball Club.
True to her alias, she’s certainly on the ball with her photography in the fast-paced, high intensity world of sport.
3. Karen Lynch - Karen Lynch Photography
Specialising in pregnancy, newborn and family photography, a quick glance over Karen Lynch’s Instagram page will prove why she wound up as one of our top nominees.
4. Lydia Kalleske - For ABEL Photography
In a tribute to her late brother Abel, Lydia Kalleske has devoting her life to her work for the past 11 years after ditching the daily grind of a 9-to-5 to pursue her creativity.
The Barossa based creative focuses on family, babies, business and luxury photo shoots advertising “real people, real photos, real stories” by a very passionate and talented woman.
Her mission: “photography (obviously) but story telling through my work, keeping it local, keeping it sustainable, keeping it real and telling ours and others stories through images.”
5. Vueey Le - Vueey Le Freelance Photography
At 25 years young, Vueey Le’s colourful imagery makes for eye catching advertising and an aesthetically pleasing social media presence.
His fascination with photos and lighting commenced in his early teens and led him to pursue an already extensive and versatile photography career working with many iconic South Australian brands, events and venues, as well as Uber Eats.
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