Mulgoa local Di Watson has achieved an amazing milestone behind the camera, celebrating 30 years as a wedding and portrait photographer.

Di’s journey began in 1991, when she photographed her first wedding officially as Di Watson Photography.

“The best thing about being a wedding photographer is being able to meet and connect with lovely people. Capturing images that showcase their unique love story, the moments, family and friends and creating memories for them to cherish forever is priceless,” said Di.

She has seen many changes in the photography industry in the past three decades.

“Changing from film to digital was a challenge that took me a long time to adjust to. After converting in 2004 – 2006 to a digital camera, it was a massive learning curve. I now truly love the feeling of being able to see what you capture as soon as you capture the moment” she reminisced.

As well as being a photographer, Di has also been a veterinary nurse/receptionist at Penrith Vet Hospital for 36 years.

Adding to her talent, she started Farmstay Australia, a website directory in 2011. Farmstay Australia promotes tourism to rural and outback Australia for farmers opening their doors to travellers for accommodation and camping.

In September 2013 whilst visiting a station in Mount Isa in North Queensland, she saw firsthand farmers that were suffering from the terrible drought. Di decided after her visit to the station that something had to be done to help the farmers doing it tough. She managed to raise $7,000 over a month from generous people on her Farmstay Australia Facebook page to help.

The idea of a Calendar was started in late November 2014 to help raise money for farmers. Now in its 8th year, the Calendar profits have been donated to help give a “Hand Up in Tough Times” via Need for Feed Australia.
Di spends as much time as she can, between wedding and portrait shoots, travelling rural Australia with her caravan and Labradors.

“I love that I have the diversity and time of capturing weddings, portraits, pet photography and landscape photography and how my two businesses work for me side by side, as well as being a vet nurse” she ended.

Di’s Calendars are available at Mulgoa News and Post and online for $30 each. They can be purchased online at https://farmstaycampingaustralia.com.au/.