Winner of the Judges’ Choice U18 Category with “Nature’s Dance” Pearl shared with us some insights into her photography journey.
Pearl says,”Photography has always been a passion, but it is not something that I’ve ever taken seriously. This year I was surprised to win the under 18s. There were a lot of under 18 photos that were really amazing, so I was definitely surprised that my photo won. I really was not expecting that.”
Whilst Pearl asserted that last year’s photo ‘The Things We Do For Love’ is her favourite photo that she has taken, her latest submission is not to go unnoticed and yet another ‘DUCK’ photo. “I was sitting by the river in Warburton and I was just watching these ducks. They were bathing, dipping and diving under the water. I was taking photos of them doing that because I thought that was really cool.”
Pearl says she will save her prize money. “I’d like to be able to get a car in the next couple of years for when I turn 18.”
Pearl’s achievements in this year’s competition are no new feat. This being the third year of her participation, Pearl was runner up in the U18s Judge’s Choice section in her first year and has now won back-to-back U18 titles for the 2023 and 2024 Calendars. “I’m surprised that as a result of this competition, people come up to me and say “oh I noticed that you won that competition,” she says. “It has also been great for bonding with my brother Finn (Saurine). When he was living at home, we would go out together and take photos and stuff for the calendar. I’m rapt that he also won an Award this year, the Community Bank Warburton Staff Award.”