STEF KING
Stef King is a multi-award-winning fashion, beauty, editorial and advertising photographer from Perth, Western Australia. Her work regularly appears in local and international magazines, advertisements and media campaigns. Her client list includes the likes of Disney, Apple, Nikon, Discovery, Seven Network, Societal Singapore, Tourism Australia and M&C SAATCHI.
Stef has photographed some of Australia’s best and brightest talents, from politicians and celebrities to athletes and supermodels to everyday people making positive global change.
How did you get started in photography?
“After doing a three-year degree at TAFE in WA, I went on to assist and also started shooting for myself at the young age of 20. I was shooting a lot of model portfolios, working with up-and-coming fashion designers - this is really what gave me my start. I had always been obsessed with beautiful images in glossy magazines, Italian and French Vogue were always amongst my go to purchases at the newsagency.”
Any recent projects or assignment stories you can share with us?
“I have two ongoing personal projects. JOY - photographing women doing what they love and my ‘no-makeup beauty series’ … both I don't think I’ll ever finish. I try to jump back into these projects when I’m not assigned to other work. I’ve also been working on the launch of two wonderful new brands here in Perth and doing some great shoots for the Guardian, Forbes and The Australian.”
What's in your bag of tricks .. any gear preferences?
“The Nikon Z9 is my new baby in my kit, it’s pretty special and I’m really enjoying shooting with it. It’s a new level of mirrorless. My 105mm lens has always been a long-time friend, I use it on almost every shoot.
I’ve also discovered mirroring my iPad from my Laptop which is so helpful on set. ZOOM was my best friend during COVID, living and working in one of the most isolated cities in the world, using it for preproduction and also on set has been a huge shift and become an asset to my work and communications with lentos all over the world.”
What's on your bookshelf or playlist?
Annie Leibovitz’s book Portraits, Strong is the New Pretty by Kate T. Parker and Natasha Lester, an amazing fictional writer who I shoot for, try The French photographer .. that’s a great read. And lots of cookbooks, even though I can’t cook! As for playlists I tend to listen to podcasts when editing - The Business of Fashion is brilliant, and the Business of Hype is great too.
What or who’s inspiring you right now?
“At the moment I'm inspired by the idea of freedom, of being outdoors, or away from technology. As a photographer, I view the world through a lens, through social media, through zoom, through email … last month we took a trip to Exmouth and usually I never take my camera but this time I enjoyed just photographing candidly. Whatever I saw, I photographed .. our kids jumping from a boat, swimming and enjoying living away from technology. Being inspired by the water, nature and fresh air. I love the idea of this in my work too. Being out in a remote location just watching the light shift from blues to burnt orange .. I would love to keep exploring this.”