Western Australian photographer Sheldon Pettit began his photographic journey when his wife bought him a twin lens camera kit for Christmas six years ago. “I’ve been hooked ever since!” says Pettit. Although he hasn’t undertaken any formal study, Pettit pursued his interest in photography by watching Internet tutorials, reading photography magazines and completing workshops at Karijini National Park with the ‘Rat Pack of Australian Photography’ (Christian Fletcher, Tony Hewitt and Peter Eastway).
Pettit’s dedication and commitment has paid dividends. In 2014 alone, he was named Capture magazine’s Emerging Landscape Photographer of the Year and runner-up AIPP APPA Landscape Photographer of the Year, with two gold and two silver distinction awards. In March 2014, Pettit held his first exhibition, From Both Sides, with fellow photographer Stuart Westmore. The exhibition explored Australia from the Pilbara to the Kimberley and down to Melbourne. Pettit’s interests span from classic landscapes to moody urban scenes, although aerial photography has recently taken his fancy. Pettit took a trip back to his hometown, Kalgoorlie, to shoot aerials of the dams and exploration roads on Lake Lefroy. These images made up his winning portfolio for the 2014 APPAs. In 2015, he won the Landscape category of Australia's Top Emerging Photographers, and was also named the overall winner.
For now, his love for photography may remain just that a passion. In 2013, Pettit became an Accredited Member of the AIPP, and recently received Associate status. Despite this, Pettit is content working full-time for BHP Billiton in Port Hedland to support his photography. “I love the freedom I have to shoot for myself, shoot what I like, when I like,” says Pettit.
