About · Phoebe Kate · Cairns, QLD
Hi, I’m Phoebe.
I shoot film.
I’m a qualified counsellor at a child services organisation in Cairns — and on weekends, I’m behind my Nikon capturing moments on 35mm film. This is my side hustle, my creative outlet, and honestly, one of the things I love most in this world.
Where it all began
Photography has always been in my family.
My grandmother shot film. My dad shot film. Growing up, there was always a camera somewhere in the house — sitting on a shelf, being loaded with a fresh roll, or handed around at family gatherings. I didn’t think much of it at the time. It was just what our family did.
But it got into me early. I remember being fascinated by the whole process — the careful framing, the patience of waiting for the right moment, and then the quiet excitement of not knowing exactly what you’d captured until the film came back from the lab. That feeling never left.
I’ve carried that love for film through everything — through school, through my studies, and into adult life here in Cairns. It’s always been part of who I am, even before I called myself a photographer.
How I became a professional
It started with my brother’s wedding in 2023.
I didn’t set out to turn film photography into a business. What happened was simpler than that — my brother was getting married, and I wanted to photograph it. So I loaded up my Nikon, showed up, and shot his whole wedding day on 35mm film.
When the photos came back, something clicked — not just for me, but for everyone who saw them. There was a warmth and depth to those images that people immediately responded to. My brother and his wife still talk about those photos. They’re framed on their wall. That meant everything to me.
“I didn’t plan to become a photographer. I just never wanted to stop making photographs.”
From there, word spread the way it does in a close community. People asked if I’d shoot their events. I said yes. And here we are — covering weddings, school formals, and family portraits across Cairns and beyond, one roll of film at a time.
My day job and why it matters
Being a Counsellor makes me a better photographer.
I work full time in child services — leading a team, supporting families, and spending my days in spaces where people are going through some of the hardest moments of their lives. That kind of work teaches you things no photography course ever could. How to read a room. How to make someone feel safe. How to stay calm and present when emotions are running high.
When I’m on a shoot — whether it’s a wedding, a school formal, or a family portrait session — those same instincts show up. People relax around me quickly. The real moments come out naturally. And that’s exactly what film photography needs.
Outside the camera
I’m an artist in every sense of the word.
Photography is one way I make things — but far from the only way. I love working with my hands. Sewing, painting, pottering around in my garden — there’s something about the slow, deliberate process of creating something that genuinely feeds me. I think that’s why film suits me so well. It’s the same kind of craft.
When I’m not creating, I’m usually outdoors. I dive the Great Barrier Reef whenever I can, and I hike the trails through the Wet Tropics every chance I get. Living in Far North Queensland and not making the most of it feels like a waste. This part of the world is extraordinary — and it never looks better than it does on film.
My camera
My Nikon. Every single time.
I shoot on a Nikon film camera — always have, probably always will. The Nikon is sharp, reliable, and renders light on film in a way I’ve never found reason to argue with.
I’m a film-first photographer. That means 35mm is always at the heart of what I do. If you’re interested in digital coverage alongside the film work — for a wedding reception, for example — that’s something we can talk about. But the photographs I’m proudest of, the ones I know will last, are always shot on film.
Every roll I shoot goes to a professional lab for development and high-resolution scanning. It takes a few weeks. It’s absolutely worth it.
Let’s make something together.
If you’re based in Cairns or anywhere else in Australia — or if you just love the idea of film — I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch and I’ll come back to you within a couple of days.