MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
2024 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
All Student & Assistant/Emerging Members who join Image Makers Association Australia on or before 31st MAY 2024 are eligible to apply to be mentored by one of Australia’s pre-eminent photographers who have generously donated their time to support the development and evolution of emerging talent in Australia.
Five mentorships are available each year thanks to the generous support of five Professional Members who volunteer their time for a 12 month period to make this program possible.
Nikon is the exclusive sponsor of the Assistant/Emerging Membership category and one successful applicant is awarded $5000 worth of Nikon camera gear of their choice, generously donated by Nikon. The mentee is selected by the IMAA Committee based on their engagement and progress in the program.
Nikon Australia is a long standing supporter of the imaging community - from working professionals, students, media, and emerging creators. As a brand that continues to deliver innovative product solutions for creatives, the alignment with Image Makers Association Australia is one that will allow even greater understanding of how to best to support an ever changing industry.
Their support enables us to further our work promoting the sustainability of photographic practice and we are incredibly grateful for their commitment to this important undertaking.
All applications are carefully considered by the mentors. The Program of Mentorship will commence at a time agreed between mentor and the successful candidate and will include:
12 months mentoring
Monthly 1 hour mentoring sessions to be mutually arranged
2 photo shoot attendances over the course of the year providing an opportunity to observe and understand the mentor’s processes and professional practice.
After 5 months of working with their mentor, each mentee will be asked to present two images which have come about as a result of their engagement/relationship; they will also present a brief outline of how these images were informed by mentor feedback and complete a brief survey about their experience. Feedback will also be sought directly from the mentors. From there, the IMAA Committee will be responsible for selecting one successful mentee to receive $5000 worth of camera equipment of their choosing, generously provided by Nikon. An outcome will be considered successful based on how much initiative, engagement, respect and professional conduct has been shown towards the mentors themselves who are donating their time to this program as well as the photographic outcome presented.
TIMELINE
31st May – deadline for applications from assistant/emerging & student members
30th June – 2024 mentees announced
July until November – mentees engage with their mentors, seek feedback and work on their skills.
30th November – due date for at least two image submissions by mentees along with survey response and written piece about experience of engaging with mentor.
December – January – communications manager to collate submissions for committee to review and select recipient of Nikon prize.
31st January 2025 - announce Nikon equipment award recipient along with releasing 2025 mentorship program.
Many photographers will agree that engaging with an industry professional they look up to and admire has been an invaluable source of information and inspiration, setting them on their pathway to success and forging long term relationships and friendships. No matter how many forums you join, there is something to be said about genuine connection with an individual. Mentoring is about building long standing relationships and swapping knowledge for knowledge.
All Student & Assistant/Emerging Members are eligible to apply to be mentored by one of Australia’s pre-eminent photographers who have generously donated their time to support the development and evolution of emerging talent in Australia.
2024 Mentorship PROGRAM
Mentors
Mentees
Stephanie Duncan
mentored by Lucas Allen
Ashley Sorensen
mentored by Tom Ferguson
Tonina Ryan
mentored by Andrew Richey
Lauren Bertacchini
mentored by Martina Gemmola
Simon McClure
mentored by Garth Oriander
2023 Mentorship PROGRAM
Mentors
Our mentors selected five successful applicants and generously donated their time for a 12 month mentorship
MentEES
Elizabeth Macovaz
mentored by Nicole England
Matthew Sherren
mentored by Tom Blachford
Courtney Stockdale
mentored by Sharyn Cairns
Caroline Cameron
mentored by Mark Syke
Sharna James
mentored by Dion Robeson
2023 NIKON EQUIPMENT AWARD
After 3 months working with their mentor, each mentee submitted imagery produced as part of the mentorship process, as well as an outline of how the images were informed by mentor feedback and a survey about their experience. The committee reviewed all the images and submissions and sought feedback from the mentors to assess the level of initiative and engagement with the mentoring process. After much deliberation, Caroline Cameron was selected as the recipient of $5000 worth of camera equipment of their choosing, generously provided by Nikon.
Image ©Caroline Cameron
Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research Centre (SAHMRI 2) on the eastern side of the distinctive SAHMRI building on North Terrace, Adelaide— Designed by Woods Bagot.
“The mentorship was an incredible opportunity to seek specific feedback and direction, given that some of Australia’s most notable architectural photographers are participating. It’s incredibly humbling to be a part of it, and Mark couldn’t have been more generous with his time and knowledge; it’s had a significant impact in a short time.”
“Caroline has been an attentive and enthusiastic mentee who is keen to learn and absorb as much knowledge as possible. She has expressed her appreciation for the mentoring sessions and other advice. She has purchased useful reference books that I recommended and demonstrated a great appetite to learn.
I have tried to push her outside her comfort zone and challenge herself to photograph larger scale buildings and exteriors in particular. This was channeled into the photographs for her submission. We selected the building together and had a few iterations so she went back to site a few times and took on board feedback to get to the final images. She also hired and learnt to use a wide angle tilt shift lens for this. She was dedicated and conscientious throughout the process and listened to the feedback provided.”