Peta Xanthoudakis is a living example of when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.
Just before she boarded the plane for a trip to Greece in 2009 to introduce her new baby to her extended family, she was told that she was made redundant from her position as marketing manager at a healthcare company due to their unwillingness to offer flexible working arrangements to a new mother.
Armed with a camera that she had purchased for the trip, she decided to take on the hobby of photography wholeheartedly: an international photographic competition would sow the seed to turn this hobby into a profession.
Two years later, her mother-in-law had suggested to Ms Xanthoudakis to enter an international photographic competition run by Foxtel’s Greek television station ANT1 Pacific, also known as Antenna.
The theme was ‘Greece through your eyes’ and Ms Xanthoudakis was among 2000 entrants.
Her photograph – an image of a dog lazing in the hot Greek sun with an idyllic seaside backdrop – won.
“He was sleeping his life away, oblivious to where he was, one of the most beautiful places in the world,” the 34-year-old said.
She won the competition which had a first prize of a two return tickets to Greece plus accommodation, to the total value of $10,000.
Ms Xanthoudakis, of Brighton-Le-Sands, said that after she was made redundant, she knew she had to make her own opportunities.
“We’ve got a mortgage to pay so it was sink or swim,” she said.
“Before I knew it, my business Location Shots Photography was born without really knowing it.”
The business started with taking photographs of the children in her mothers’ group, now she takes images for real estate agents and children’s portraits.
“You should never really doubt your own capabilities,” is Ms Xanthoudakis’ advice.
“You have to think outside the square, and more. Sometimes you have to change into something different to survive.”
For more information, email Peta on peta@locationshots.com.au or visit the website locationshots.com.au