Tell us a bit about yourself in a nutshell.
I’m a professional photographer and photo-media artist. I run a co-working photography studio in Norwood and have recently set up a studio and workshop space in the Adelaide Hills. Born in South Africa, I have been living in Australia since the age of 16. I’m a bit of an adventurer at heart and not terribly sensible – I like to have fun and try not to take things too seriously. I love music, fresh air, dancing and being in nature.

What does your idea of the perfect day look like?
A sleep in, a morning cuppa by the dam, gardening and landscaping on the property, a long walk with my husband, sunset drinks on the deck by the outdoor fire, and dinner with friends listening to old records and dancing. Then philosophical chats over whisky and a board game.

What is a wonderful moment of kindness you have experienced?
I was walking with a trolley full of equipment on Grenfell Street after a shoot, and the trolley caught on a paver and all the equipment (and I) went tumbling on to the ground. It was peak hour and hundreds of people were standing at a bus stop just watching it all unfold (and probably having a good laugh). A young woman left her spot in the queue and came to help me with my equipment and checked if I was OK. I was very touched by her kindness and thoughtfulness.

What is your favourite photograph?
My favourite photograph is one I took on a film set in the Flinders Ranges on a short film I worked on in 2009, Jacob (Blackfella Films) directed by Dena Curtis. It’s a beautiful moment, lit perfectly by the setting sun and is emotionally rich – I’ll never forget the moment I took it. I was waiting for the perfect moment and as it unfolded I felt so excited to be able to capture it. I don’t think I can get permission to share it here due to copyright. But I’m sharing another favourite – it’s from a series I did called A Persistent Fog. The series explores the persistence of climate change debate and how it is dealt with and experienced across society. The model is my husband Matthew, and it reminds me of how supportive he has been of my crazy ideas and my artistic practice overall.

You might like

Best Life

Astrid Pill’s best life

Best Life

Ciara Ferguson’s best life

If you could own any piece of art, what would it be?
A painting by Jeffrey Smart (something urban and figurative), a painting by Giorgio De Chirico  – or a photograph by Tokihiro Sato from his Photo Respiration series.

Here’s $500. You have to spend it in the next hour – what are you buying?
A landscaper for a few hours to help around the property!

A bar in SA you’d recommend?
Canopy Bar, Hindley Street West

What was the last film or TV show you watched?
I just started watching Little House on the Prairie – it’s a nostalgic choice as I remember watching the original series as a kid in South Africa. I’m only a couple of episodes in so not sure if I’ll stick with it but so far, so good.

Favourite way to unwind?
A walk around my home town of Macclesfield, or sitting in the garden by the dam watching the birds.

Last book you read?
I listen to audio books mostly (on my drives from the hills to my Norwood studio) – I’ve just started re-listening to The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfus. I don’t normally like the fantasy genre but the first time I read this I loved it!

Last song you listened to?
As we speak I am listening to Lost by Frank Ocean.

What are you currently working on?
I have a new studio on our home property that we recently built – it’s a beautiful, quirky American barn set up as a photography studio with darkrooms. I am developing a photography workshop program for small groups for 2027, and I am working on a new exhibition for later this year, working entirely with analogue photographic materials like B&W film, wet plate collodion (Tintypes) and expired Polaroid film.

Sam Oster will open her Adelaide Hills studio, Watermark Crossing, during SALA Festival on August 15-16. Visit salafestival.com for more details.