Since I've only recently dusted off my Hive account I may as well re-introduce myself. Don't worry, I won't be jumping on the introduction hashtag with this post. You can check out my original intro post at the bottom if you're interested.
So, where to begin?
My life starts with my birth. It had a lasting impact on my life. I was a big baby. Over 5kg. I also had pneumonia in utero and had to come out fast. But I got stuck, because I was big, and in the process of pulling me out, some nerves were torn…
This resulted in a condition called Erbs Palsy. Torn nerves in the shoulder meant my left arm did not develop the same as the right. It’s about 6 inches shorter, has low muscle mass, and over/under grown bones resulting in very limited movement.
I spent 10 days in the hospital (a giant baby surrounded by premature babies) before I was well enough to go home.
My condition is the only normal I've ever known and have always found my own way to get things done. Except solo skydiving…
From birth, other normal life stuff happened.
After high school I managed to complete a Bachelor of Science majoring in Astrophysics and Pure Mathematics. In 2006 I got a job in Histology as a Lab Assistant and quickly worked my way up to Biomedical Scientist.
This is a cell-fie. These are my skin cells. Do you have any idea how weird it is looking at your own cells and seeing living things that make up you as a human being? This is my skin, but it could be any of you too.
This is Brain. (normal)
This is urine. (normal - female)
It was while working in Pathology I met the woman who is now my wife. When she was introduced to me a little voice in my head said "She'll be important to you". Just that. Like a literal voice in my head letting me know a fact.
With this amazing person I have travelled to over 40 countries on 5 continents, including living in London for 2 years, and had 2 beautiful daughters which I raise while my wife works a 9-5.
It was in 2011 in London that I first bought a DSLR in order to take better travel photos. I learnt as much as I could about photography and did an online course which basically taught me I knew nothing about photography.
I would also spend every lunch break for 4 months going to the British Museum to see EVERYTHING in there. I don't remember it all but I loved the opportunity to see so much history
I really enjoyed the photos I was taking and so did friends and family. This gave me the encouragement to keep learning until I could pursue photography as a career
So upon arriving back in Melbourne in 2013 I started building up my name on Instagram, learning everything I could and constantly taking photos. But I still worked as a Biomedical Scientist in Immunohistochemistry until 2016
In 2016 I quit my job as a scientist and took up photography FT. I started running workshops and even had a large collection purchased for an exhibit.
Later in 2016 I started a podcast that would have 50 episodes and span 2 years. Running workshops, instameets and interviewing well known Aussie photographers like Ken Duncan
I would also have the December 2016 cover photo of Australian Photography Magazine and numerous articles to follow. I was also named an Australian Ambassador for NiSi filters in 2017
In 2018 my daughter was born. Seeing as though I was running my own business and basically doing whatever I wanted, it was ideal for me to take on the role of FT parent. I was still able to run workshops and take photos though through 2019.
In 2020 I had my first international workshops lined up in NZ (it still counts!). But someone ate a bat or something and here we are. Lockdowns in Melbourne lasted 5 years out of the past 2 years and my second daughter was born during this time.
Photography was put on pause until things started to return to normal.
Then NFTs happened.
Then NFTs happened.
Now I'm just trying to find more hours in the day to maintain a household, raise kids, and keep my photography business/passion alive. My fitness has taken a hit as a luxury of time I can't afford, but I'm really feeling the affects of that with my energy and mood. So there's another hour or 2 in the day I need!
Life has it's busy and quiet times so I know it won't always be like this. But I'm having fun!
Intro Post
Website kieranstone.com
Twitter @kieranstoneau
Instagram @kieranstoneau