Grace Elizabeth photography: In pursuit of the perfect shot

With her camera at the ready, this young creativeis always in hot pursuit of the perfect shot.

Grace Smith of Grace Elizabeth Images. Picture: supplied

Grace Elizabeth Smith, 25

Grace Elizabeth Images owner/photographer

What’s new with you?

I recently shot my first fashion campaign for luxury resort-wear brand Robe in the amazing Byron hinterland and that was huge for me. I was a little nervous — there’s always that pressure to deliver and it was my first time working with such a large-scale team but it was so rewarding.

Why photography?

I actually dived into an engineering degree at University of Newcastle when I left high school in Maitland, near the Hunter Valley in NSW. I was adamant that was going to be my career but then, over a two-year period, I started to realise it definitely wasn’t what I was passionate about.

Your ‘aha’ moment?

I took a break and jetted off for five months. Then I started a (new) degree in International Relations majoring in Middle Eastern studies and journalism and on an educational trip to Jordan and Qatar, I decided I needed a camera. That’s when my passion truly started to light up. I came back to Australia, put myself through a basic DSLR course and lugged it with me, photographing anything and everything.

Then what happened?

I moved to Brisbane a little over two years ago and started working in hospitality … photographing food and cafes as a hobby while I tried to find my feet. My photos were picked up by an online publisher. Since that moment, Grace Elizabeth Images has hit the ground running.

Y our favourite subject?

Women and fashion. I feel like there’s so much room for creativity and emotion. I also love a beautiful interior, and food — who doesn’t love food? I also love travel photography and capturing a place with new eyes and all the little details that make it so breathtaking.

What inspires you?

All the little things we sometimes forget about because we are so busy. I’m a country girl at heart and sometimes I think unintentionally this inspires me as it’s been such a big part of my upbringing. I look at my photos and there’s some homey or country element I manage to slip in.

Your favourite thing to do in Brisbane …

I’m getting horseriding lessons at Royals Equestrian Centre at the RNA showgrounds in Bowen Hills and it’s amazing. I haven’t ridden in eight years and it brings me absolute pure joy to be back in the saddle.