Photographer Ami Wilde enjoys capturing the beauty of her Narrandera home. Photo: Pure Dreams.
Job satisfaction isn’t a problem for Narrandera photographer Ami Wilde.
“I’m happy doing what I’m doing,” she says.
The mother-of-three splits her professional time between her creative work and a job as a teacher’s aide supporting kids with behavioural issues and low literacy. She says she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I love my job at the school,” she says.
“I really enjoy helping kids achieve.”
Ami and her husband moved to Narrandera nine years ago after falling in love with the area while visiting family.
“We liked the town and it was cheaper and more beneficial for us to buy a house here than in Wagga,” she says.
It was around this time she also took up photography.
“I’m a pretty creative person and I wanted to be able to take nice photos of my first son,” she says.
“I did my diploma in photography and just went from there.”
From family weddings and parties Ami progressed to taking on paid work doing family portraits, turning her hobby into a satisfying side-hustle.
Her work demonstrates a love of candid moments, natural light and the warm tones of the Australian bush.
“I love the local culture, nature and everything around here in Narrandera,” she says.
“It’s nice to get out in that and showcase the River, the common and the koala park and all the beautiful things we have.”
Ami’s work has recently taken a new cultural turn after a request from a Wiradjuri friend.
“It was her son’s first birthday and that was the first Indigenous session that I’d done,” Amy explains.
“There was a smoking ceremony and it was just so beautiful and full of culture.
“That was one of my favourite sessions I’ve ever done.”
She says other family members reached out for sessions incorporating elements of ceremony, ochre and animal skins.
“I’m not Aboriginal, but I’m interested and I want to know more about culture,” she says.
“When I’m at the sessions taking the photos, I learn little bits and pieces as I go.”
She says that she is also careful to consult with Elders when planning a session.
“Even when I’m writing my caption to go with the photos if I’m advertising, I always check if it’s right and culturally appropriate.”
Impressed with her work, Rosie Powell from Prickly Lizard Events approached Ami to take promotional images for the recent Narrungdera Earth Festival.
“She’d organised a few people to do the ochre and Uncle Michael Lyon to bring the kangaroo skins and the coolamon and things,” she says.
“I was very excited and I loved doing it.”
For now, Ami’s photography occupies a creative corner of her life between mothering three boys and her role at the school.
“I’m content,” she says. “But I guess we’ll see where the future goes.”
You can see more of Ami’s work and get in touch here.
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