The Unridden Wave - Coalcliff Beach Photograph

My name is Gem Hariata, I grew up aroud the Sutherland Shire/Wollongong Area of NSW, Australia. My mother is from Raglan, New Zealand, where she was born and raised, and my father is from Scotland, where he was born and raised. Both my parents traveled to Australia, in their teenage years looking for a better life. They met each other young and after a whirl wind relationship they had me. I am grateful for them both. My mothers' rich Maori Indigenous culture coupled with my fathers' long history and respect for the land, have helped me form and inspire who I am today. I currently reside in Greenwell Point, a small little fishing town on the South Coast of NSW. It is a quiet little town where you hear the cows mooing in the distance and the fisherman on the boats, it is truly special. I am a young inspiring photographer with a passion for capturing the beauty that this world has for us, especially the raw beauty of the landscapes of Australia. I first picked up a camera 9 years ago and have been developing my skills since then. As a passionate horticulturist & overall garden lover, our Australian native flora are plants that really catch my eye. Whenever I see a native in full flower, I can nearly shed a tear, their beauty is something else. I use my photography to help me capture the timeless beauty of Australia and everything it has to offer, nature provides everything we could ever ask for and more.