One of Newstead Studios’ OG tenants, Cieran Murphy is a photographer with passion and prowess in equal measure. With his latest exhibition launching soon in the Newstead Studios gallery, we sat down with Cieran to find out how he carved a career in Brisbane as a UK expat, and the landscapes drawing him to capture his career-defining works.
Tell us a bit about your business and how you got started
My journey with photography began in the UK, where I studied at Plymouth College of Art. My degree was heavily focused on the practice of fine art silver printing, this practice saw me spending many hours in a dark room, which resulted in some work being featured in a few small exhibitions in London.
I loved the tangible process, the intimately quiet dark room, and getting instant print results that developed before your eyes. After graduating I had a long sabbatical and went travelling for a few years, shooting tonnes of film along the way. It was not until I was living in London that I picked up a digital camera again and started shooting some interiors for Aesop Skincare. This sparked a real flame in me again and I was torn whether or not to return to university to study Architecture or to pursue a career in Photography. It was around this time, I decided to come to Australia and visit my family in Brisbane for the holidays, and made the decision to move to the Sunshine State permanently.
Once I was settled, I contacted Brisbane photographer and owner of Newstead Studios, Sam Thies, and this truly is where my story begins. It was a mutual friend from London who originally brought us together, and from the first time I met Sam (in a very different looking Newstead Studios, when it was still Ross Street Studios), we immediately bonded. Sam and I continued to work together regularly, and I assisted him and many other photographers for the following four years. It was throughout those years my contacts in Brisbane and my knowledge of the industry grew, and I honed my craft and began picking up my own jobs. I have spent the last two years shooting for myself and really trying to concentrate on the Architectural, Interiors, Travel and Lifestyle areas of photography, which have always inspired me.
What does a typical day look like for Cieran Murphy Photography?
There is no typical day as a photographer, and I’m rarely in one place for too long, which keeps things fun, and pretty interesting. One day, I could be up before dawn, knee-deep in mud shooting farmers in Gatton; the next, swimming with tropical fish and waiting for Birds of Paradise in Papua New Guinea; or simply capturing the golden light hit the cityscape; everyday is a new adventure. When I’m in the office editing though, I try to keep a good routine, I like to get up early, have a coffee at home, hit the gym, or take my dog for a walk, before getting to the studio to start the day and find my rhythm.
What’s been your stand out ‘win’ as a business so far?
Winning the Lord Mayor’s Photographic Prize two years ago marked a really critical moment in my career. It gave me the acknowledgement, and credit, for a previous years’ hard work and also the confidence for my future works. With the prize money, I was able to fund a personal trip to shoot a large-scale landscape project in Western Australia. On the trip, I produced the largest body of personal work to date, which has resulted in a lot of positive attention towards my personal brand as an artist. Some of the images that I captured were purchased by a gallery in Western Australia, and are on permanent display, and are an homage to the beauty of the land in which they hang. This trip really reignited my love for the outdoors and reminded me of the importance of reconnecting with nature, and the importance in which this land holds to its traditional owners.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since starting your business?
Having a basic understanding of accounting is critical for starting your own business, and I believe is the crux to whether it remains a success. The importance of employing a good bookkeeper and accountant is essential. Structuring the back end of my business and ensuring that all my finances are in order is a part time occupation in itself. It is something that creatives are never taught how to set up, or manage, and often does not come naturally, well certainly not me anyway! At university, I was endlessly lectured on relevant artists, composition, and the technicalities of cameras, but never shown how to create invoices, or run my own business, which is where so many beginner sole traders can become unstuck, especially around the topic of ‘tax’.
Who are you dying to work with, or where are you dying to shoot?
As an enthusiastic landscape photographer, I have always been drawn to places like Scandinavia or Iceland. I’ve always been drawn by the glaciers and the vast plateaus of ice and water. I am at my most inspired when I am alone, in a new city, discovering new cultures and environments.
What made you choose Newstead Studios and what do you get most out of working here?
I believe I was tenant no.1, as a long-standing friend, and colleague to Sam Thies it was a no-brainer that I would move in once the renovations had been completed. I was at a point in my career where I was looking for a space to develop my business, and Newstead Studios was exactly what I was looking for! Having a professional environment outside of my home that motivates me, encourages me to collaborate, and to be surrounded by other inspiring creatives is exciting.
What’s your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)?
If I’m being perfectly honest, I had never heard of a BHAG, but if money was not an issue, I would love to travel regularly. I find travel truly motivating, the challenges of it, the language barriers, the cultural differences, it all inspires me. If I could somehow be paid to explore the world, capturing different briefs or stories along the way, I would be a truly happy soul.
Where can we find you?
www.cieranmurphy.com
@cieranmurphy
Cieran’s exhibition of works from his Western Australian landscape project is on display at Newstead Studios from 5th to 26th July 2019.
