By Ian Williams
Port Augusta’s Erika Owens has been tapping into television’s spiritual world for help in promoting her fledgling photography business.
A long-time addict of the popular US horror fantasy series Supernatural, Erika made a beeline for the program’s fan convention during a recent holiday to America.
“I took a bunch of photos of the actors and uploaded them, not really expecting much to happen,” says 21-year-old Erika. “But quite a few of the cast members saw them and said some really lovely things and reposted my photos.
“Kim Rhodes [Supernatural actress] posted about me on her Twitter a few times telling people to look out for my work – it was awesome, a really cool experience.”
Port Augusta photographer, Erika Owens
It’s an impressive endorsement for a South Australian who is self-taught and only went professional a year ago working out of her parents’ home.
But in that time her business Magic Memories by Erika has made a big impact in her hometown, taking out two prizes at the recent Port Augusta Business Awards.
Erika won titles for the most popular business and best home-based business, and was a finalist in the best small business category.
“I wasn’t expecting anything because I was up against a lot of fantastic businesses on a much bigger scale than me, but I was the only one that got more than one award,” she says.
Erika’s photo of Supernatural actresses Briana Buckmaster and Kim Rhodes
It was during another trip to the US two years ago that first triggered Erika’s interest in taking up photography as a career.
“I stayed with a photographer and loved looking at her photos which were just amazing,” she says. “I’d always been very creative at high school and thought it was something I could do.
“I started playing around with my camera every day, using manual mode and fiddling with the settings to figure out what the camera could do. I’ve been trying new things and learning more every day.”
She is also expanding her skills by starting an online photography course.
Erika specialises in family portraits, including animals, and has a real passion for fashion work. Dark Thorn Clothing is among her growing client list and she’s also been working with local rock band The Daily Chase.
Dark Thorn Clothing photo shoot, featuring models Maddison Chapman (left) and Vanessa Barry
“My parents are really good to me and have let me use a big room outside our house which they bought as an entertainment room and is now my studio,” says Erika.
“But I really want to keep expanding and shoot for clients around the State.”
Headline image is Manila Luzon from RuPaul’s Drag Race – Battle of the Seasons, taken by Erika at Thebarton Theatre.
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