Take a break from the grind and spend a weekend with people who get what you do. The Pro Photography WA Weekender is all about good chats, fresh ideas, and getting inspired.

We’ve lined up two sensational speakers —David Dare Parker and Fiona Birt —to share their stories, tips, and the real side of working as pro photographers.

We’ll also have super-chilled, chat sessions to talk business, creativity, staying inspired, and building a sustainable career behind the lens.

It’s a weekend to connect, shoot, share ideas, and be part of WA’s professional photography community. Whether you're just starting out or have years behind you, there’s something here for everyone. Photographers of all kinds are welcome.

The weekend is a mix of enjoying some downtime in the WA South West, and "spark sessions" designed to get you thinking, speaking, sharing and learning about diverse aspects of working in the industry and running a sustainable business. Highlights include speaker sessions with photographers David Dare Parker and Fiona Birt; and a biz breakfast round-table chat focusing on sharing ideas and discussing strategies and solutions to successful development of an imaging business.

FEATURED PRESENTERS

David Dare Parker

Join WA‑based Walkley Award–winning photojournalist David Dare Parker, a Nikon Australia Ambassador, as he shares his vast experience documenting global conflict zones and human resilience—from East Timor and the Middle East to the Rohingya crisis. David will lead an immersive session drawing on decades of fieldwork and film‑production stills.

Photojournalism and Film Industry Unit Stills Photography
"Photojournalism is more than taking pictures — it's about telling powerful, truthful stories. In this talk, I'll share experiences from the field that explore how ethics, instincts, and values guide visual reportage. Through real stories and personal insights, I'll reflect on the challenges of capturing the essence of people, places, and moments under pressure, and on how editing and sequencing can transform images into unforgettable narratives.
"I'll also share what it takes to survive in the unpredictable world of on-set Unit stills photography — from earning the trust of actors and crews, to staying invisible in the eye-line, and reading the room when tensions run high. I'll also lift the curtain on the crucial relationships with producers, publicists, and directors, and explain how good stills photography can shape a film's identity. This talk brings to life the atmosphere, challenges, and rewards of life on set - some names will be changed. ;-)"

Fiona Birt

Dive into the world of documentary storytelling with Fiona Birt. Fiona is a documentary photographer with a focus on people and place. Driven by a deep curiosity for the stories that shape the lives of the strangers she encounters in her travels, Fiona seeks out images that spark narrative and evoke connection.

Her work celebrates the beauty of unscripted moments in everyday settings — where gesture, environment, and human expression quietly intersect. Through her lens, Fiona invites viewers to pose their own questions and draw their own interpretations, encouraging curiosity, reflection, empathy, and connection. She believes these visual narratives help us better understand the world around us, cultivating humanity and compassion.

VENUES AND ACCOMMODATION

The sessions will be spread across a couple of venues and venue locations will be communicated to attendees before that weekend. You will need to organise your own accommodation in Busselton if you are attending the weekend from Perth or regions outside of the WA South West.

Contact the host of Pro Photography WA South West Weekend