LJM Photography

Ashmore Arts
Surrounded by rolling hills, a spit from the ocean and some of the greatest artists, this has become my second home.

With the economic climate being the way it is, I am finding (personally) that a lot of people don’t have the extra means to be investing in the arts…which means small creative businesses (myself included) are deeply affected. I’ll be honest, this winter has been a slow one - and being a creative, I constantly want to create.

So I wanted to document and show you some of the amazing talent I am surrounded by in the inspiring community of Ashmore Arts.

Natalie Martin is an artist who has been a part of the Ashmore community for 9 years. She works in vibrant watercolour. She’s particularly fond of native Australian flora and the landscape in which it’s found. She has a visual arts degree but is inspiringly self taught in this beautiful medium. Her work is just stunning and I was super excited to be able to document her.

Not only is she a superstar in her field, she is also a working Mum of two, with her youngest just four months old! I watched her multi-task, working on her up-and-coming exhibition pieces. Roving from one to another, all the while holding her son, holding a conversation and feeding him - It was a motherhood masterpiece in itself!

If you haven’t found Nat’s work yet, you are missing out! She also does workshops, online and in person - check it out in her bio.

Anna Lockett​​​​​​​​​Mon, Sep 9, 1:56 PM (2 days ago)​​​​​​​​​to me

I arrived in this community 4 years ago in the heart of COVID. Due to the 5km restriction (COVID lockdowns) I was unable to go to my studio in Melbourne. As devastating as it was to leave the city, where my business had been successfully established for more than 11 years, the opportunity arose to lease a studio at Ashmore and I haven’t looked back since.

Surrounded by rolling hills, a spit from the ocean and some of the greatest artists, this has become my second home.

With the economic climate being the way it is, I am finding (personally) that a lot of people don’t have the extra means to be investing in the arts…which means small creative businesses (myself included) are deeply affected. I'll be honest, this winter has been a slow one - and being a creative, I constantly want to create.

So I wanted to document and show you some of the amazing talent I am surrounded by in the inspiring community of Ashmore Arts.

Dave Graham is the mastermind behind Simply Forged - public and private sculpture. He has hands of steel (ha, see what I did there 😉) and skills like no other when it comes to restoring ironwork and blacksmithing. He has been honing this unbelievable craft for nearly 30 years and creates masterpieces that are awe inspiring.

I had the pleasure of documenting Dave in his process of creation, and also some of his finished art.

Look through old photos of my son today. That face. Those cheeks. Lips! Far out I never knew love before him.
I am so grateful I have documented him from birth… literally, his birth.
You will never regret getting family photos done, but you will regret if you don’t.

Don’t hesitate to contact me for a “your story” quote.

That time we were in the Louvre taking photos of our son when a bunch of randoms photobombed.

In 2016, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Europe to document a beautiful wedding in France. Alongside me on this adventure were my wife and our 7-month-old son. We spent our days walking everywhere, soaking in the charm of old buildings, iconic landmarks, and lush parks.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Amidst the journey, I started a mini series called ‘Bench Seats’. This series captures the unique characters we encountered and how they made each bench their own little world.

Each image tells a story—of people, places, and moments in time. I’m excited to share these snapshots with you, reflecting on a trip that was as much about family and exploration as it was about capturing memories.

Stay tuned as I share more from this collection. 🌍✈️

This moment was pure magic. ✨ After the ceremony, surrounded by their favorite people, something unexpected happened—a powerful gust of wind swooped in, almost sweeping Nicole off her feet!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​And just like that, this image was born. It perfectly captures the spontaneity and joy of the moment. I’m obsessed with how it turned out! 💨💕

What’s the most unexpected thing that happened at your wedding (or one you attended)? Share your stories below—I’d love to hear them! 👇

As you probably know, I have a deep love for capturing hands. In almost every shoot I do, you can bet I’m on the lookout for symmetry in lines and the story that hands can tell.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This moment is one of my all-time favorite photos—especially when it comes to hand stories.

I remember it vividly. Amid the post-ceremony chaos, this bride and her Nan found a quiet corner to themselves. At first glance, you see a grandmother tenderly cherishing her granddaughter, highlighted by the ‘love’ tattoo. But when you look closer, the scars tell a deeper story—years of pain etched into her skin.

This image is layered with meaning. It’s heartbreaking yet beautiful. Through it all, I see hope.

Seven dogs—yes, you read that right, SEVEN! 🐾​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This snapshot is from one of the seasonal photoshoots I’ve been doing this year for Jess, the amazing owner of .

From left to right, meet Monster, Pingu, Elle, Genji, Mello, Penny, and Cherry. They’re all part poodle, so they’re an ‘oodle’ mix, each with their own unique personality.

I don't have a favorite (cough, cough, MONSTER). And even though I've visited their home multiple times now, Cherry always barks at me for the first 10 minutes—then I’m dead to her, haha.

People often ask, "How did you get them all to sit so perfectly?" As much as I'd love to take all the credit, it’s all thanks to their mum, Jess. She’s an exceptional dog trainer (seriously, if you need one, she’s fantastic!).

Swipe right to see more from these shoots. We’ve got one more season to go—Spring—and I’ll be sharing a post showing their progress. If only there were more seasons... I’m going to miss these pups, especially Monster! 😉

I called is image “milk drunk”

I have been mulling over this for a week now, not knowing how to express my thoughts, feelings, emotions from the whole ‘Arts Trail’ experience. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Amazing! From the wonderful support of family and friends, to the engagement with strangers. I’ve never had such an experience.
It was real.
I spent the whole weekend regaling people with stories from the images. And people actually really liked my work! Like, it wasn’t just words. I saw it in their actions, their faces. At one stage I was outside chatting to a fellow Ashmore artist when someone walked out, bawling her eyes out. I quickly went to her and asked if I could cuddle her. This was not an uncommon reaction either.

Read further in the comments section...

From the outside I am extroverted and confident. And when you get me behind the camera I AM a confident, assertive, observer with nothing to lose and everything to document.

But I’ll let you in on a little secret - my overwhelming fear of rejection and failure have lead to a solidly ingrained imposter syndrome...and I am my worst enemy!

So, I’ve done something brave.

I have been based at ‘Ashmore Arts’ for 4 years and have always wanted to be a part of it, but kinda didn’t know how?! Who would want to see photos of someone else’s family? Wedding? Life?

But upon speaking to my studio neighbour , she convinced me that people would…maybe :p

So here I am, balls (flaps) to the wall, putting aside my fear and saying YES to exhibiting at the Arts Trail this weekend.

“On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August fifty four venues across the Surf Coast Shire Shire will open their doors to the public. The trail will feature over 200 artists showcasing their work across a diverse range of mediums including painting, sculpture, jewellery, weaving, photography, print-making, ceramics, mosaics and so much more!”

I will be opening my studio doors and welcoming everyone into my space to look at my work (EEK). If you are coming or thinking about coming, please come and say hi to me. I might be sweating bullets or rocking in the corner hehe so please feel free to come in, say hi, ask me questions, give me a hug and chat about life. I will be there with my family (wife and son) and we would love to meet you.

When: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August
Time: 10am - 4pm each day
Where: Studio 13b, Ashmore Arts, 55b Ashmore Rd, Torquay

We here at LJM embrace all kind humans, no matter what your pronoun is ❤️❤️🥰🥰

The many moods of kids at a wedding.
I love the pure innocent and unabashed response. They show when they are happy, bored and playful. When do we lose this?

Happy “national selfie day”. Love me a selfie on a shoot or with some of my favourite friends and vendors ☺️❤️☺️❤️

Sarah and Michael . What edit do you prefer?
Colour or Black and White?

Sarah and Michael . What edit do you prefer?

Part 2/3 - Chloe & Dani​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Many moons ago I did a 'your story' (formally Loved up) shoot
These images even made it as a 12 page feature in 'Frankie Mag' along with two other q***r families.

Not only am I proud of getting into but I also documented their wedding the next year.

I do have to admit my editing in these is a bit all over the shop, I was going to re-edit but it reflects my growth as an editor. I think the images are still solid, haven't dated and still hold true to my 'LJM' style :)
Along with the Bec's shoot (previous posts), this shoot is a fav.

***rportraits ***rfriendlyphotographer ***rphotographer

Proudly a part of the q***r community I wave the rainbow flag in celebration of diversity and love to all. ​​​​​​​​​It doesn't matter how you identify, love is love and we celebrate all types.​​​​​​​​​

Many moons ago I did a 'your story' (formally Loved up) shoot of the Bec's. These images even made it in 'Frankie Mag' along with two other q***r families, which I can show in another post. Not only am I proud of getting into but I documented their wedding in NYC a year later... this was before marriage equality was legalised in our country.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This shoot is still one of my most favourite sessions to this day.

***rportraits ***rfriendlyphotographer ***rphotographer

Beautiful idea//​​​​​​​​​If you are unable to read personalised vowels to each other during the ceremony, bring them with you to the creative portraits. Find a quiet corner and read them to each other. The pure magical emotion can't be faked and you will never regret doing this.​​​​​​​​​

Here are a bunch of random shots I have done for corporate clients that I really enjoy and are hero shots all in different ways. Mostly it's the simplicity of the shot or a subject, but then there is slide three where its organised chaos; the perfect kind :)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

They said the flower crowns were for the “girls”.
I loved that he not only questioned this asking “why?” But then asked for one. Following that, two other kids got their own crowns.
I was so impressed and proud of him. And doesn’t he look handsome

I can't tell you how much I LOVE capturing such moments. When someone who is ordinarily introverted and withdrawn opens up, regaling me with stories from the past. Capturing them getting lost in thought. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​He used to repair and build cars from scratch. Ordering in all the parts from around the world, even replaced the leather seats. He recalls it cost $2000 back in the 90's/00s. I can't even imagine how much that would cost now!?

I find it so humbling and wonderful watching someone talk about their passion. I dare say I would produce such looks if you ever got me talking about documenting people... hehe

I was talking to a friend/client from this shoot, asking her what she thought was the best way to describe and even advertise such shoots ("Your Story")? Cause TBH, I have no idea. I have been fortunate enough to gain most of my work from word of mouth... however, I REALLY LOVE doing these shoots and I want to do more. So I asked her how to describe it? She couldn't find the words in that moment but I think her review says everything;

"😭😭😭😭 LOZ these are magical I’ve literally got tears, they are beautiful ❤️
You captured the most beautiful moments! You’re a legend! Highly recommend"
Bec

I find that most people don't know what they want to say. They just don't want the standard portraits. But 'real life' might seem too raw and maybe not pretty enough. However, from what I have experienced in my 12 years of documenting, capturing people in their comfort zone is when they generally glow and relax. This is when they can forget they are being photographed and just ... be.

For all those who have done one of my 'your story' sessions, how would you describe it? Feel free to write a comment or DM me.

Just a man walking with his seven dogs... yup, SEVEN!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I can't tell you how much I LOVE capturing such moments. When someone who is ordinarily introverted and withdrawn opens up, regaling me with stories from the past. Capturing them getting lost in thought. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​He used to repair and build cars from scratch. Ordering in all the parts from around the world, even replaced the leather seats. He recalls it cost $2000 back in the 90's/00s. I can't even imagine how much that would cost now!?

I find it so humbling and wonderful watching someone talk about their passion. I dare say I would produce such looks if you ever got me talking about documenting people... hehe

I was talking to a friend/client from this shoot, asking her what she thought was the best way to describe and even advertise such shoots ("Your Story")? Cause TBH, I have no idea. I have been fortunate enough to gain most of my work from word of mouth... however, I REALLY LOVE doing these shoots and I want to do more. So I asked her how to describe it? She couldn't find the words in that moment but I think her review says everything;

"😭😭😭😭 LOZ these are magical I’ve literally got tears, they are beautiful ❤️
You captured the most beautiful moments! You’re a legend! Highly recommend"
Bec

I find that most people don't know what they want to say. They just don't want the standard portraits. But 'real life' might seem too raw and maybe not pretty enough. However, from what I have experienced in my 12 years of documenting, capturing people in their comfort zone is when they generally glow and relax. This is when they can forget they are being photographed and just ... be.

For all those who have done one of my 'your story' sessions, how would you describe it? Feel free to write a comment or DM me.

Happy Mother’s Day to all.
Whether you’re a mother of a human, a fur baby, a fish etc
We are spending our Mother’s Day back home enjoying our space after a brilliant trip as a family.
I hope you have a wonderful day spending it with your favourite people like I am.

Laval, France​​​​​​​​​This is my son @ 7 months old. ​​​​​​​​​He had just learnt how to sit by himself and is in deep thought about the current economy... maybe when this b***h (me) is gonna get the camera out of his face?!

Two seconds after taking this image, he fell forward and there were tears... He was ok, its ok :)

I was in France to document a wedding. This was one of the best trips and I was so grateful my family was with me. We have this in a frame in our house, I smile every time I look at it.

Have been working with some of the most stunning models lately.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The modelling agency
**Models not for hire, but they are pretty**

Sarah loves volleyball. ​​​​​​​​​Suga (her Husband) sees these kids playing (volleyball) while we were on our bridalparty shoot, so of course we had to incorporate it into our creative session.​​​​​​​​​

Happy International Women's Day!​​​​​​​​​To all the girls, ladies, working women, mums, carers, lovers, dog owners, huggers, partners, friends, sisters, Grandmothers, Aunties, champions, women that are struggling, women that are happy, women that play football, women that knit... just WOMEN! Happy International Women's Day!​​​​​​​​​
I am proud to be one.