who’s behind the camera and curls?
A bit about me!
Hey, Nath here - a Pakenham-based photographer and videographer shooting weddings, celebrations, events, brands and wellness across South East Melbourne / Naarm, with travel around Australia and internationally when the right project comes up.
From little elopements and backyard celebrations through to corporate events, retreats, festivals and large-scale productions, I’m all about capturing things in a way that actually feels like they happened. The polished shots matter, but I’m just as interested in the laugh five seconds later or the little moment nobody else noticed.
Over the years I’ve had the chance to work across major events and productions alongside Paramount Pictures, Channel 7, City of Townsville, Cluden Park and the NQ Licensed Events Centre, as well as plenty of small businesses, couples, creatives and local legends. A big part of my work has grown into branding too - helping people create photos and video that actually feels like them.
The camera thing started pretty early. I first picked one up when I was around five years old, and there always seemed to be a camcorder rolling on family adventures around Victoria. Fast forward a couple of decades and life took a very different turn - I spent five years serving in Australian Army Infantry.
That chapter shaped a lot of who I am now. Teamwork, resilience, adaptability, staying calm when things get busy and learning to work with all kinds of people. It also came with its challenges, including injuries to both shoulders and back-to-back surgeries from my time in service.
When it felt right to step away from the uniform, photography had already become a huge part of my life. I built NHughes Media in Townsville and spent the next few years shooting across North Queensland, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Canada, Bali and plenty of places in between.
Alongside weddings, events and commercial work, I’ve spent a lot of time in the wellness space too - photographing retreats in Bali across multiple years, plus circles, workshops, school programs and community experiences. Those spaces taught me when to direct, when to slow down and when to let something meaningful unfold.
Now I’m back where I grew up - Pakenham and South East Melbourne - working across Officer, Beaconsfield, Berwick, Cardinia and greater SE Melbourne, while still happily jumping on a plane for the fun ones.
Whether it’s a wedding, a 40th, a packed event, a retreat or a business showing people what they actually do, I want the process to feel easy, relaxed and true to you.
My Ethos
To inspire and capture the beauty in life.
I spent 5 years in the Army preparing for the worst in life
(hats off to my brothers & sisters still in Uniform).
With my cameras, I now wish to share its beauty.
Why work with me?
Because I don’t just show up with a camera.I take the time to understand you - how you move, what you value, what actually matters - and capture that in a way that feels natural, not forced.
Whether it’s a brand, a couple or a full-scale event, I bring a calm, intentional approach and a level of care that goes beyond just getting the shot.
You’re not just getting content - you’re getting something that actually feels like you.
My Biggest Challenge
Leaving what I thought was lifelong career in the Australian Army.
After 5 years in Infantry (2016-2021), both shoulders required surgery. What I once saw as a setback became the turning point - stepping away from the Army and backing myself to build something with my cameras.
During recovery, I doubled down on photography - shooting one-handed for artists like Xavier Rudd just days after surgery, and covering multiple events across Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns in a single weekend.
It wasn’t the easy option, but it was the right one.
That chapter built the resilience, work ethic and perspective I now bring into every shoot.
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My Greatest Moment
Just days after leaving the Army, I found myself shooting a festival in Townsville - Neck of the Woods, 2021.
Kim Churchill was one of the acts, and I had the chance to connect with him beyond just the lens - one of those moments where everything slows down and you realise you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
The night wrapped with us side stage, singing along to Ball Park Music under a full moon, looking out over the crowd.
That was the moment it clicked - this is what I’m meant to be doing.
WILDD.
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My Favourite Sessions
Working within the wellness space - retreats, circles, workshops and community experiences.
I’ve spent the past few years capturing women’s retreats in Bali.
It’s a unique role - part facilitator, part observer, part storyteller.
Capturing the quiet moments, the breakthroughs, the in-between energy that often goes unseen.
I watch people walk in one way, and leave completely different.
Every time - it changes me too.
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Contact Me!
Based in Pakenham and servicing Officer, Beaconsfield, Berwick and greater South East Melbourne / Naarm.
