The least photogenic person you will ever meet.
Do not be deterred, but this here is me, Sarah, the photographer behind Bear Hunt Photography.
I may be a stunner in real life, and while this isn’t an important thing for you to know, nor objectively true, unphotogenic-ness is real (even if the word is not).
If you suffer this same curse, then know as I do, that even if every photograph you’ve ever posed for has been met with your derision, you’re still very beautiful. It’s possible that you’ve just never seen yourself.
I’d really love to be the one to show you.
I don’t want to pose, prod, or coax. By unobtrusiveness and my killer ‘blending-in’ skills, I want you to forget that I’m there, perhaps mistake me for an old friend, and resume being you; since that’s where your beauty usually hides when trying best to capture it.
It is also probably why the only photographs you like of yourself are those that were taken while you were unawares.
HELLO!
I’d first like to acknowledge the Dharawal people, including the Wadi, Wadi, Korewal Elouera Jerrungarugh, and Wodi Wodi people, as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live and work, and their continuing connection to land, waterways, air and community.
Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
In light of this fact, I am committed to doing more than paying lip service to the rights of Indigenous people, and I Pay The Rent monthly.
Who am I?
My name is Sarah Tedder. I live in the Illawarra with my partner, Simon, and two daughters Lila and Zadie.
Why the name?
Well, it started with my nickname (Sarah > Sare > Sare Bear > ‘Bear’).
But later, in a beautiful twist of fate, I met Simon Tedder (my partner in life), and subsequently took his last name, making the Teddy / Bear circle complete. ♥
The ‘Hunt’ part comes from my intended approach to photographing you, only insofar as I try to go undetected using a bit of stealth/surreptitiousness – not bloodshed!
Why photography?
I made my way into photography after spending most of my life thinking I was a non-practicing journalist. However, it later occurred to me that whilst I want to document, I’m an observer, not a writer. As such, imperfectly capturing honest moments in time appeals to me more than attempting to describe those moments in words.
Why Bear Hunt Photography?
If you want a photographer that does not seek to interfere, control, change or improve you, that respects you and your life, and does not wish to influence or alter it,* then I might be the photographer for you. If you want photographs that are representative of a specific moment in time or occasion in your life, as it really is, then consider choosing me.
*derived from David Hurn, On Being A Photographer
PERSONAL LIFE & WORK
The Djaadjawan Dancers, a women and girl’s dance group from the Yuin Nation.
Some more stuff about me, even if you didn't ask :|
I studied Arts/Law for 6 years, graduated, and then practised for about a year before retiring to become a photographer :D I spent 25 years living in the south (Melbourne, Victoria), then 2 years in The South (North Carolina, USA).
I now live in Port Kembla with my partner & daughters.
I also enjoy pro-bono, paid & trade opportunities to photograph for select local social and environmental causes that I care about.