GUESS WHO: EIGHT THINGS ABOUT ME!
After looking back on photos and posts from this last year gone, and indeed, the years before that, it became absurdly apparent that I avoid posting any personal content and photos of myself. And then, it got me thinking that a lot of people here might not actually know who I am or what I enjoy or what I’ve done to get to where I am today as a person.
So here’s eight things you probably didn’t know about me (with a handful of photos that are somehow already up to ten years ago!).
1. I’ve been shooting since I was 18
So I had used small digital cameras since I was about 13 for different school trips and stuff, but when I was 18 I got some money for my birthday and Christmas and was sick of taking crap photos and went and got my first DSLR, a Nikon D3100. At the time it cost about $1000 bucks and was the greatest thing I ever bought. I had this camera for about three years, and outgrew it far too quickly but that was all I could afford so that’s what I had to stick with. But it taught me to overcome limitations that some cameras have, how to shoot and adjust the settings properly and compose well. I started a photographic company called JDK Photography (super original name), and was shooting mainly landscapes. Around the time I was 21, I saved my ass off and upgraded gear to what I now have today. JDK Photography was rebranded and recreated into The Liquid Collective in 2018 and I now specialise in shooting action sports, lifestyle and commercial imagery.
2. I have the biggest sweet tooth you’ve ever seen
I blame this jointly on my mum and grandm, and my lack of self control for delicios, sugar filled crap. When we were younger, there was no sweets in our house, didn’t know what a lollypop was until I was about five years old. But Nanny always had, and still has, a big jar of lollies in the cupboard at her place, and a container of chocolate and cans of soft drink in the fridge, just for when my cousins and I turn up unexpectedly. I’m the guy that can down a full block of chocolate in one sitting and go back for more. Dangerous.
3. I love motorbikes (and cars, anything with engines really)
Each of my cousins and I had a collection growing up, which would get added to for each of our birthdays. Little bears, porcelain clowns, cars. Mine was motorbikes. My extended family has always been into motors and mechanics and have had all kinds of dirtbikes, motorbikes, cars, trucks, ATV’S (you get the idea) since I can remember. I think I was about four or five the first time I got on a dirtbike, and every Christmas when we would see them would always involved paddock bashing on anything with wheels and an engine. Cousins, uncles, grandparents (on both sides of the family) have had bikes for years and years, so no wonder I would be attracted to them. I’ve had my restricted license since I was 18 and my full licence since I was 20. My parents very much dislike them, but maybe they’ll have to get used to the idea soon…
4. Biggest fears are drowning and large scale avalanches
Definitely not to say I’m not afraid of other things, but these are definitely the big ones and have 100% to do with my lifestyle. Growing up surfing, surfing wasn’t an option by ourselves, we would always go at least two of us and for good reason. Looking back on it, we went out into surf that was way too big for our abilities at the time, came away unscathed but it was always so settling to have someone else you knew was looking out for you, especially if you got held down. Moving my lifestyle to the mountains brought the same awareness of how dangerous snow really can be, especially with metres of it falling in short periods of time. Now I take the time to make sure that the pack is as safe as possible before dropping in, but there’s still that tiny little voice in the back of your head that reminds you about the potential consequences.
5. I have travelled overseas about 15 times but have only experienced 5 countries total, but have lived overseas more of my adult life than I have in Australia
I seem to keep going back to the same places but staying for longer and longer periods of time. Japan was my first international trip, New Zealand second and when I was 21, I moved overseas to The United States for an indefinite period of time. Since that first trip, I’ve travelled to Japan, New Zealand, The U.S., Canada and obviously Australia and lived extensively in each country, but next trip I think will be somewhere different.
6. I can be extremely organised, almost to an OCD, or lazy as shit. No in between.
I’ll have extremely focused, productive moods where I can get anything and everything I want done, smash it all out and do it in record time with perfect accuracy, almost to the point of having OCD and wanting it done exactly how I see it happen in my mind. Other times, I won’t do anything, literally nothing and can’t shake the mood. I have no in between where maybe I’ll just get a few tasks done, nope - I’ll just leave and go for a surf instead.
7. My birthday is three days after christmas
I was born premature and was meant to arrive around the 6th February, so rather than being nicely spaced out, Christmas is a very busy and full period. Within ten days, we have mum’s birthday (20th), Christmas (25th), Boxing Day (Extended family Christmas day - 26th), my birthday (28th), New Years Eve (31st). Crazy.
8. I have no idea whether I like having long hair or short hair more.
Any thoughts?!
So there you have it - a few things about me. Any questions? Post them in the comments :)
Peace,
Josh
