As a professional photographer I love an image that is technically correct - yes there is always a subjective view of photography and always times to break the 'rules' but as a minimum it should be sharp, well lit, and well composed. Despite this when my youngest son was to graduate from the Victoria Police Academy earlier this year I knew I wanted to recreate a technically horrible image from my graduation back in 2005. Yep that's me in uniform in the top photo. Not the first time I'd graduated - believe it or not I first graduated in 1998 and completed 12 years service before resigning, only to do it all again in 2005. I served a total of 20 years as an operational member of Victoria Police before 'retiring' in 2013.
The top image is poorly lit - you can hardly see our eyes for the shadows and the background - what were we thinking? People everywhere! Yes it's just a snap shot from a family member but it takes me back to a day when I was proud but moreover relieved to have completed another 20 weeks in the Academy. It is of me, my husband, and my two boys.
Fast forward to 2018 and I'm proudly beside my son Mitch, now in uniform with my husband (aka Kenny Rogers) and Jake who we had flown down from Singleton after he got special permission to leave army training to attend. Is this image technically perfect - no but it's a long way from the top image. I set up the shot and asked a friend to take the image.
These combined images, along with portraits of both boys, are now displayed proudly in my home and I can't look at them, in fact can't write this story, without tears coming to my eyes. As ex police my husband and were given the honour of presenting Mitchell with his certificate of identification during the formal ceremony which made it even more special. I couldn't be prouder of my boys and the careers they have chosen.