Camille Nuttall is a commercial photographer who specialises in photographing kids. Originally from Melbourne she now lives in Sydney with her two girls Frankie (3) and Claudia (6). See her kids work at camillenuttall.com or camandco.com.au for her non-kids work.
Camille Nuttall
C4K: How did you come to specialise in photographing children?
CN: After graduating from R.M.I.T at Melbourne's R.M.I.T , I stood back and realised it was full of … kids' photographs. I had found my niche, and hopped on the first plane to Sydney to follow my dream.
C4K: They say that you should never work with children or animals, but you seem to have made a success of it! Why do you love it?
CN: It's hard to explain why I love photographing kids so much. It makes me happy. I feel so rewarded when I know I have captured a child's true personality, their unique humour and endearing idiosyncrasies.
C4K: So what are your secrets or tips to taking good photos of children?
CN: Keep the backgrounds simple and let them be themselves. Talk to them. Give them the freedom to 'just be' and where possible don't be too structured. Great music, great locations and something for them to do also works.
C4K: Have you ever experienced any spectacular meltdowns or tantrums while doing a job?
CN: A tired or hungry child is always a good formula for a difficult shoot. I always try and fit in with a child's daily routines so I'm shooting them at their best. A spectacular meltdown … one isn't coming to mind surprisingly, but it's always obvious when a child is past any more photos. Their eyes lose their happy glint, they won't take direction, they won't laugh at my silly jokes.
C4K: Do your kids like having their picture taken?! Do they get used as models a lot?!
CN: My youngest not so much, but my eldest has done lots of work. She has a very kooky and natural way in front of the camera and I love shooting her as much as she loves being in front of the camera. Any photographer will tell you though that it's very difficult to shoot your own child when you are working on a big job. There will always be the time that they cling to you and have a bit of a tantrum, which can be hard when you have a big day ahead of you.
C4K: Your line of work must be pretty unpredictable sometimes in terms of scheduling/travel to shoots etc. How do you manage child care and work?
CN: It's definitely not an easy juggling act and sometimes almost impossible but we get by. I'm always so very jealous of friends with family nearby. Mine are in Melbourne so I very much rely on friends in times of need. Luckily I predominately shoot kids so the shoot days are shorter and often shoots are scheduled on weekends so they don't conflict with school.
C4K: What sort of child care do your girls have ?
CN: My eldest is at Bondi Beach Public School. She sometimes does after school care, but prefers if I can organise a play date. The good thing about Bondi Beach is there are many parents there without grandparents, so we all rely on each other. My friends are used to last minute SOS texts from me and I from them. It works somehow. Frankie who is 3 is my youngest and goes to Iluka Day care in Bondi. She goes there 4 days a week and I try to make sure she is only there for short days, but she absolutely loves it and I know I'm not doing wrong by her keeping her there for that many days. The staff are amazing and I can't fault the place. Claudia on the other hand only did 3 days at her age and that was the right amount for her. It completely depends on the individual child.
C4K: Did you find child care hard to sort out/get places etc etc?
CN: I went to many, many day cares and was very specific about what I was after. I then hounded Liz at Iuka day care every fortnight, so she wouldn't forget me. I shouldn't have said that because everyone will start doing that now. There are long waiting lists at all the best day cares, it's a matter of getting your name down early and making sure they know who you are. I've been VERY lucky and am so grateful to the family day cares, day cares and pre-schools I've used with my kids in the Bondi area.
C4K: What do you think about the cost of childcare and does it impact your work opportunities?
CN: I think the cost of day care is fair. In a perfect world there would be brilliant public day care like the brilliant public primary schools we have on offer but I don't begrudge it. I'm so very thankful for the level of personal care both my girls have received and it's made working possible for me, which I love. I love my kids, but I also love to work, so I'm happy to pay for that privilege.
C4K: What 3 things could you never do without as a working mum?
CN: That's easy - my kids, my supportive and uniquely stylish partner Andy (direct quote from the man himself) and my photography work.
www.camillenuttall.com
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