Journey to photo-journalism

An advanced diploma graduate from Photography Studies College (PSC), Christine Ansorge spoke about her journey from being a photography student to shooting sport, events, portraits and breaking news. 

Having previously worked as a full-time teacher, she said that she had only seriously considered switching to a career in photography during her final year at PSC.

“I had always loved photography, for as long as I can remember, but I never really considered it as a career option,” Christine said.

“When I started studying at PSC back in 2013, I just wanted to know how to take better photos. I had no equipment at the time, and little technical or creative understanding; all I knew was that I wanted to learn everything I could.”

“It wasn’t until my final year, when I majored in photojournalism, that I started to think about becoming a professional photographer. My work was finally starting to be recognised which really boosted my confidence.”

A former silver award winner at the Victorian Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP), Christine was also previously selected to photograph a five-page spread for RACV’s RoyalAuto magazine.

She said that it was such opportunities that inspired her to believe in herself and make the career switch from teaching to become a full-time photographer. And to her amazement, she said it wasn’t long until she landed her first job.

“Initially I had expected to work as a freelance photographer,” she said. “As soon as the school year finished I had already planned to move to Alice Springs to join my partner who had been posted there for work.”

“One night I received a message from one of my PSC friends telling me there was a job advertised at The Centralian Advocate, the local newspaper in Alice Springs, for a photojournalist. I couldn’t believe my luck and of course I applied.”

“After two phone interviews I got the job and moved up there as soon as I was able to.”

She said that from day one, she was “really thrown in the deep end.” From breaking news to photographing people, she the job provided her with ability to “engage with anyone.”

When she eventually returned home to Victoria, she took on a new role at The Standard in Warrnambool, where she built on her experience photographing a range of topics in a “busy and fast-paced environment.”

In September, The F Project Art Gallery in Warrnambool played host to her first photo exhibition Nonagenerian, which celebrated the lives of people in their 90s with 16 portraits and stories that challenged negative perceptions of ageing.

“It was during my time in Warrnambool that the idea for this project was born,” Christine said. “On a few occasions I had been assigned the task of taking photographs of elderly people for the paper.”

“They were all still active and healthy and often heavily involved in the community and I found myself really interested in their stories. I enjoyed talking with them and felt inspired by their spirit and love of life.”

Gifted with the opportunity to spend real time getting to know her subjects, she said they were made to feel at ease, which ultimately made for great photographs.

“All up I probably spent about three hours with each of my subjects, chatting with them and then taking their portrait, all of which happened in their home. I like to keep my set up pretty simple so all I used was a backdrop, my camera and one flash with a soft box,” she said.

Christine said that her experience photographing the elderly had been so fun that her next project would focus on capturing the images and stories of people 100 years of age and over.

“I would absolutely love to travel around Australia talking photos of centenarians in each state and compile this into a photo book. I’d also like to continue exhibiting my work in galleries, hopefully in Melbourne one day,” she said.

christineansorge.com