There are certain moments that remind us just how powerful it can be to follow a quiet passion. For me, that moment came when I learned my photograph had won the 2020 CamerART competition, sponsored by Sydney Airport and hosted by Bayside Council, in the aviation category.
What made the recognition especially meaningful was not just the subject matter; a Jetstar Airways A320 gliding in from Townsville Airport, but the context in which it was taken.
Like many people, the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic were a disorienting blur. Lockdowns had reshaped our daily lives, grounding planes and people alike. But through the uncertainty, I found comfort and clarity in something I’ve loved since childhood: photography.
Finding stillness in motion
Photography has always been more than just a hobby for me. It’s a way to pause time, to notice the unnoticed and to tell a story without words. During the peak of the pandemic, it became something deeper: a reason to step outside, a mindful practice, and a creative outlet when everything else felt limited.
While aviation photography had long been a passion (pre-COVID, I was often camped out waiting to capture the majestic Airbus A380), lockdown shifted my focus. With international flights paused and skies quieter, I found myself drawn to the smaller, workhorse aircraft still criss-crossing the country.
The Airbus A320, while modest compared to the wide-body giants, carried a quiet resilience during those months. These aircraft kept essential routes alive. They brought people home. They reminded us that, even in uncertainty, there was movement and purpose.
Turning passion into purpose
With a camera in hand and fewer distractions, I began to see local aviation in a new light; quite literally. The golden hour became my favourite time to shoot. Watching a single plane descend against the fading sunlight in an otherwise still sky was strangely moving. There was something poetic in it.
That’s when the idea struck: maybe it was time to start sharing this work more intentionally. Not just for social media or personal archives, but for real feedback and recognition. I submitted the photo to the Bayside Council CamerART competition, not knowing what to expect.
Several pandemic-related delays meant judging took longer than usual but when the announcement finally came, it was worth the wait.
More than a win
Photography helped me navigate the lockdowns not just physically, but emotionally. It encouraged stillness, patience and perspective.
A heartfelt thanks goes to Bayside Council and Sydney Airport for the opportunity and the platform. Also, credit where it’s due to my trusty Olympus which never let me down, even when the light did.
And to anyone holding onto a creative passion: keep going. You never know when that hobby might become your anchor or your launchpad.
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