Setting Up Your Own Online Photography Store - Tori King's Story →

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to share some big news with you – I've just launched my very own online photography store called Tori King Prints! For those who've been following my photography journey on Instagram (you can find me at @Kingvic83), you know I've been capturing moments for over 15 years. Well, I've finally taken the plunge to curate my favorite shots and create a space where you can own a piece of my art.

Let me take you behind the scenes a bit. It's been a year in the making, and during this time, I've not only been selecting the best of my work but also designing the store itself. I wanted Tori King Prints to be more than just a place to buy prints – I wanted it to be an experience, a reflection of my style, and a way for you to connect with my photography on a deeper level.

Choosing which photos to include wasn't easy. Fifteen years of memories captured through my lens is a lot to sift through! Each photo tells a story, and I wanted the collection to represent the essence of my journey. After much deliberation, I've picked the ones that resonate with me the most, and I hope they resonate with you too.

You might be wondering why I decided to set up my own online store when I've been sharing my work on Instagram. Well, as much as I love Instagram, I felt it was time to take things to the next level. Tori King Prints is a way for me to move beyond the digital realm and offer you a chance to bring a tangible piece of my art into your homes.

“where memories meet art and find a home in your heart.”

— Tori King

Now, let's talk about the nitty-gritty. Setting up an online store involves more than just showcasing images. I've had to dive into the world of e-commerce, coding, learning about payment gateways, shipping logistics, and all that jazz. But it's been worth it to make sure that when you visit Tori King Prints, you not only see stunning visuals but also have a smooth and secure shopping experience.

I want to invite all of you – photography enthusiasts, art lovers, or anyone who appreciates visual storytelling – to check out Tori King Prints. This is a new chapter in my journey, and I'm thrilled to share it with you. I hope my images find a special place in your hearts and homes. Thanks for being a part of this exciting adventure with me!

Shop Tori King Prints

Chasing the Perfect Sunset Snap: A Beginner's Guide to Sunset Photography Down Under

G'day, y’all! If you're like me, you've probably found yourself mesmerised by the stunning sunsets that grace our Aussie skies. Those fiery hues of red, orange, and pink blending into the deep blues of the evening make for a sight that's nothing short of breathtaking. And what better way to capture the magic than through the lens of your camera?

Sunset photography is an art form that lets us freeze those fleeting moments when the sun bids adieu to the day, casting a golden glow over our beautiful landscapes. Whether you're an experienced photographer or just starting out, here's a beginner's guide to help you capture the essence of an Australian sunset in all its glory.

Equipment Essentials

First things first, you'll need the right gear. Don't fret if you're not rocking top-notch camera equipment; a smartphone with a decent camera can do the trick. However, if you're ready to take it up a notch, invest in a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings. Here's a quick checklist:

Camera: DSLR or mirrorless is ideal, but a smartphone can work too.
Tripod: Keeps your shots steady, especially in low light.
Wide-Angle Lens: Perfect for capturing the expansive sky.
Remote Shutter Release: Reduces camera shake during long exposures.

Location, Location, Location

Australia is a vast country with diverse landscapes. From pristine beaches to rugged outback terrain, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to sunset photography locations. Some popular spots include:

Uluru: The iconic red rock is a mesmerizing sight at sunset.
Sydney Harbour: With the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, it's a cityscape that dazzles at dusk.
Byron Bay: Ideal for capturing sunsets over the ocean.
Kakadu National Park: Breathtaking sunsets over wetlands and billabongs.
The Great Ocean Road: Stunning coastal vistas that look amazing at dusk.

Timing is Everything

Timing is crucial in sunset photography. The 'Golden Hour,' which occurs just after sunrise and before sunset, offers soft, warm light that's perfect for capturing the magic. Arrive at your chosen location well in advance to scout for the perfect vantage point.

Composition Tips

Rule of Thirds: Divide your frame into a 3x3 grid and place the horizon on one of the horizontal lines.
Foreground Interest: Include interesting elements in the foreground, like rocks, trees, or silhouettes.
Leading Lines: Use natural lines, like a winding river or a road, to guide the viewer's eye.
Silhouettes: Experiment with silhouettes of people or objects against the setting sun.
Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different angles and compositions. Sometimes, the unexpected shot turns out to be the best one.

Camera Settings

Now, let's dive into camera settings. While you can experiment and find what works best for you, here's a basic setup to get you started:

ISO: Keep it low (around 100-400) to minimise noise.
Aperture (f-stop): Use a wide aperture (low f-number) like f/2.8 to create a shallow depth of field and a beautiful bokeh effect.
Shutter Speed: Aim for a slower shutter speed (1/60 to 1/15 seconds) to capture the warm, soft light.
White Balance: Set it to 'Daylight' or 'Sunset' for warmer tones.
Focus: Use manual focus to ensure your camera doesn't hunt for focus in low light.

Post-Processing

Once you've captured your sunset shots, don't forget to edit them to bring out their full potential. Software like Adobe Lightroom or even smartphone apps can help you enhance colours, contrast, and overall sharpness. Just remember, the key is to enhance, not overdo it.

Some of My Faves

Here are a couple of my favourite sunset shots taken recently. I hope you enjoy them!

So there you have it, folks, a beginner's guide to sunset photography in our magnificent Australian backyard. The best advice I can give you is to practice, experiment, and have patience. Sunsets may be fleeting, but the memories you capture through your lens will last a lifetime. Happy snapping, and may your sunsets be nothing short of magical!

What is your favourite sunset moment you have captured! I’d love to hear from you below!

Love That Fills the Heart

Sunday 13th September 2020 marked a very special day in the Miljak household, the christening of their beautiful baby boy, Ivan Pius Miljak.

As a photographer, to be a part of such a special event is quite the privilege, however, as a dear friend of almost a decade, to be invited to be a part of their household, to be a part of their family and to have shared such a wealth of love was incredibly fulfilling, a weekend I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Ivan, brother of Josipa became a child of God on 13th September 2020. This day was filled with love, grace, elegance, passion and faith. Family, friends and loved ones gathered to share their love and mark the day with celebration, appreciation and pure joy for one and all.

For me, the celebrations began on Saturday, the day before the Christening, spending time with Angela, Jakov, and their beautiful children, Josipa and Ivan. We shared hugs, cuddles, read books, played with toys and felt my heart explode as two children welcomed me into their home and hearts. Never have I ever met two children, so polite, so intelligent, so well behaved and of such a gentle and loving nature. Love and peace filled their household, with curiosity, learning and expression encouraged, and each of their personalities coming through in every giggle, every hug and every moment they were awake.

Saturday was a private relaxed family time which I felt touched to be a part of, Sunday saw the addition of family members and close friends, with the God Parents being the first to arrive in the morning. The morning festivities began with an exchanging of gifts between the two families, marking their love and their pride for the union and responsibilities taken on by the God Parents, such a beautiful morning filled with love and pure joy.

The excitement continued when it came to dressing the man of the moment in his stunning Christening gown. This was done by the God Parents, preparing the Child of God in their role as proxies for the parents, the love and tenderness that filled this moment was overwhelming, with all joining in to show their love for Ivan on his special day.

Once all were ready, we headed to the church where Ivan and Josipa were the stars of the show, such beautiful children surrounded by such beautiful loved ones, it was hard to not get emotional. Love filled the grounds of the church where friends and family eagerly awaited the arrival of Ivan.

Soon, well congregated inside where the Christening of Ivan began, held tightly by his God Parents and celebrated by his parents, grandparents and family.

The union of friends and families and the celebration of true love and pure joy is really something magical, it fills you with a warm buzz that is hard to describe ( and I was only the photographer!!). Celebrating each other, the love, joy and faith everyone shares, is simply beautiful and overfills the heart!

Celebrations continued over a hearty feast of beautiful food, of which I made the rookie error of filling up on the second course, of course, I managed to leave room for cake!! After which, many hugs were exchanged before friends and families left to return to their own homes, as did I, overwhelmed with the feeling of love and unity and aspiring to create a family full of such love for myself.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you”

— Jeremiah 1:5

This weekend was one that truely filled the heart with love, admiration, pride, friendship and fulfilment. I will be forever touched by the emotions shared and treasure the memories in my heart.

Tori xx

Mirrorless is happiness

Who knew, to make a girl happy, just TAKE AWAY her mirror??

Thank you Jeremy! You've introduced me to the world of mirrorless cameras, opening up a whole new science to photography!

On a recent trip to Cockatoo Island in Sydney, Jeremy (my partner and fellow photographer) and I sampled the delights of wine and cheese tasting on a beautiful sunny spring afternoon. Surrounded by water views, including the Harbour Bridge in the far distance, we were spoilt for the day! We wandered around the island that previously served as an convict goal and ship yard full of activity during WWII. Jeremy was armed with his Fuji X-T20 which I had played with a few times before but was a faithful Canon girl, the Island was to change this ( maybe the wine tasting played a small part??)

Before we begin the tasting session, we had a few moments to wander around the island, marvelling at the huge machinery that has been left behind, providing snippets of the story that Cockatoo Island has to tell. I hadn't brought my own camera as it was a bit heavy and I didn't fancy it, but as soon as we got there, I was immediately hungry to take photos so I relented and borrowed the Fuji. Previously when I had picked it up, my internal dialogue freaked out and I went running back to my Canon but today ........ it was love!!

This camera took wicked photos! I loved seeing the images and the ease of control I had over the camera, not that my Canon (750D) is hard but the X-T20 is just a pleasure! its so smooth and user friendly, it's like the camera WANTS you to love taking photos!

We discussed the camera in detail through the cheese and wine tasting and soon it became apparent that the only obvious idea was to make the impulse purchase and join the Fuji Family! Before i could even start screaming with excitement, Jeremy was already on the phone asking a shop if they'd stay open a few extra minutes as it was nearly 5pm and we were still on the island, this guy knows the power of a females shopping fire hahaa.

We spent the rest of the evening out and about taking photos of the sunset

Our inner geeks were on full flight, we came home when there was not more light and eagerly plugged into our computers to look at our photos form our matching ( yup) X-T20s!

The next hole we got lost in was YouTube, black and white street photography. You see, my one most favourite feature ( that ive discovered so far) is that for a crazed black and white fan like myself, the fabulous Fuji camera will take photos in black and white until your hearts content. When you view them on your camera, you will observe a beautiful roll of black and white images you've taken, however........... when you load them into your computer, they appear in colour! Yup, the genius little camera will take the photo in colour and retain this information so you have the best of both worlds, no photography data is lost if you wish to go BnW for an afternoon or a whole photoshoot! I LOVE THIS!!! ( I've just shot my first Fuji wedding and i shot it in BnW also, a risky gamble, i did have my partner fully rocking the canon while I got to have my Fuji fix so i was "safe" ) I'll post about this shortly.

Meanwhile, back to our photography outings, we decided our next genre to play with and find our own voice in, would be black and white street photography, sooooooo exciting!!!!!

Next stop, Blue Mountains ..........

What a wonderful world!!

And indeed it is, when you have the opportunity to spend a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon with incredibly talented children!

Since my l ast blog post I have been having a fabulous time, watching videos and listening to podcasts ( my inner geek is strong) on fun facts about photography, absorbing the words of those out there with the same passion as myself ( geeking out with a gadget ). I bought a my very first mirrorless camera, the fabulous Fuji film X-T20 and it has been love from first click! Little did i know it but i was rapidly about to commence a whole new buzz for photography.

I took this little gem with me to a hidden Edwardian Theatre nestled in North Sydney to photograph a children's' end of year piano recital, I had no idea what I was in for!

Laura, owner of Music N Me had asked me to photograph the end of year Christmas show in which her students showcase their creative talents and boy were there some very talented children on stage!

The morning started with busily trying to organise 30+ children from 4-16 years old and prepare them for a performance. Each child represented a country and wore some fabulous costumes!

A quick run through, then parents were taking their seats ready for the entertainment children bring.

The show opened with a group performance of "Its a wonderful world" with the inclusion of percussion, piano, keyboard, saxophones, violins, cellos..... lead by Mosman's, Andre Rieu - Laura Kahar. After the opening number, parents, brothers and sisters we settled into their seats and the individual performances began. Each child represented a country, they shared what they had learnt about their chosen country and then performed either a piece from their chosen country or with a fun filled festive theme, ranging from jingle bells to classical. Each child fully embraced their performance providing everyone in the room a fabulous morning.

The atmosphere was addictive, full of excitement, adrenaline and a few nerves as children are full of surprises, who knows what they will do next.......

Im pretty sure not everyone saw.......

The morning performance flowed into the afternoon performance, with another group of children showcasing their talents.

The whole day was fabulous, Laura's passion for her students and the support from the families involved shone through and added to an already fabulous day! Pride was eivdent from every conrner of the theatre.

Each child receievd an award in regonition of their hard work

The enthusiasm from the children was contagious, you couldn't help but smile and giggle during their performances. It was clear that they have a great deal of respect and love for their teacher, each child gave their all in their performances and ended the show with a massive thank you to their teacher.

A beautiful end to a beautiful day! Very well done to everyone involved, such a lovely day, I look forward to next years performance!

The History of Tori King Photography

“Persistence beats resistance”

— Victoria King 2006

Like many of us, i LOVE photos! I can remember as far back as 20 years ago ( urgh thats nasty math!) about the time I had my very own camera. A camera that I had to insert a roll of film and in my then creative mind set, i took photos of friends that had half their faces chopped off or took random photos of "things", basically waisting film as likely giving the person who kindly developed these, a very good giggle! We've all been that kid right? ( Please say yes)

During my school years, i dabbled in extra curricular activities such as playing the violin and learning Spanish, these i wasn't too bad at- i kept them up for about 7 years- until I went to university and found other distractions, i also tried my hand at art- that was a very rapid fail! however it was becoming clear i did have some creative juices flowing in my blood so all was not lost, there was hope.

Over my later years ( now 33) I have moved through smart phone after smart phone ( im the apple type) and played with taking photos, watching numerous hours of youtube videos, reading articles, meeting other photographers and absorbing as much knowledge as I could, thinking that each time I upgraded my phone to having more GB storage, I was on my way to fame- nope- no one knew I was taking photos, i didn't share them, they just sat piling up on my phone for me to enjoy? That was cool, but what's the point in that? I was "going to print them one day" - lol nope- didn't print them nor make the album...... just filled up the Iphone and then made best friends with the "cloud" when that came out.

The sad thing was, i was out and about at every opportunity I could get, taking photos and practicing my newly learned skills. I would go for bread for the house for breakfast and come back 2 hours later ( shop was 15 mins away) to disgruntled housemates and wonder why they weren't too excited to view my photos- sugar drop often relates to a mood drop too lol.

I posted on social media like Instagram and Facebook which took of with gusto which got me very excited. I then began showing friends, i guess i didn't really think I was all that different from other photographers out there, I mean, there's a few right? So, I just kept my work to myself.

However, my friends were awesome, and when I worked out that they were being genuinley encouraging as they had faith in me, clearly more thank I had in myself at that point, I started taking them seriously, asking "you really think this could stand out" ......... YES!!!!

So, I took the leap of faith and decided to create my second business and break free from my corporate world of teaching in universities and launch Tori King Photography- and here I am!

With oodles of support from friends ( you know who you are) I have been successful enough to have sold some of my work, had my work featured on other peoples websites and blogs which has given me great pride and the affirmation that my passion, which has been a private passion is now enjoyed by others as much as I enjoy taking the photos themselves.

I have broadened my portfolio from travel shots - so beautiful to be at one with nature and recharge after a busy week, to also now taking part in portrait photography, product photography, wildlife shots and soon to venture into wedding photography - Thank you Jeremy

I will always be learning, there is so much to absorb and that is soooo exciting! I'm always looking for new hints and tips and new gear ( what girl doesn't like to shop?!?)

I'd love to share my future skills and snaps with you, feel free to share any trick you have learnt too- two brains are better together right?

Join me on my photography venture, snaps skills 'n all- join the beautiful photography family- let's grow together.

Tori

I look forward to growing with you