More often than not when someone is trying to break into an industry it can be overwhelming just trying to get noticed, and this was no exception for Georgia Politis.
The second-generation Greek Australian from Darwin runs her own photo studio Georgia Politis Photography, and is popular amongst the Greek community for christenings, having photographed 300 since she began in 2017.
Like many passions, photography began as a hobby for Georgia, but it wasn’t until a local Greek woman suggested she pursue it further.
“When I think of this moment, I remember actually denying the idea, laughing as I thought ‘there is no way that will work, I am not good enough’,” Georgia told Neos Kosmos.
But after sitting on that thought for a few months, she decided to just do it and started out as Lens Photography in 2017 when she was 23-years-old.
Georgia had to work her way to where she is today, and that she did. “I found it very difficult for the first few years to showcase my skills and willingness to work in the industry.”
“This is because there is a pattern of behaviour with everyone, we all go by trust and what/who we know.
“So, having my new name and business out there in 2017, as well as being young, took a lot of courage.”
She believes part of the reason why it is hard for people to break into the industry and maintain their brand name is because photography is not really respected as it used to be.
“Many people have cameras on almost every device they have, many people may have professional cameras too – or people in the family who do.”
“We are often seen as ‘point and shoot’, where the background work is never seen or the true investment we make in our equipment and education is never thought of.
“As a woman who is young, I was seen as just a young girl with a camera, but not a businesswoman, so I made it my mission to show I was far more than that – and ended up loving it so much.”
To get her name out there, Georgia had to just jump into the deep end and volunteer cover events as a sponsor, regardless of her confidence – events like Darwin Greek GleNTi, The Blessing of the Waters, Easter and church ceremonies.
She says she does this not only for enjoyment but because it helps the Greek community and being around her community is important for her.
Georgia is now being recognised in public as a photographer and much to her surprise, even all the way in Greece.
As mentioned christenings are Georgia’s busiest service having done 300 of them since 2017. When she first started, not many people hired photographers for christenings, so she has helped change the industry in that sense.
Before Georgia became the professional award-winning photographer, she is today, awards like being in ThreeBestRated’s top three photographers in Darwin every year since 2018 and silver awards from the AIPP and the Icon International Photography Awards, her professional ethos was influenced by her Greek background, particularly her parents and grandfather George.
She has been working with the family business since eight, given small tasks that would pave the way she runs a business today. It was here she “learned the importance of honesty, the value of hard work, good customer service skills and most of all – importance of family.”
Also instrumental to her development was her time spent in Melbourne, learning under Nick Ghionis and Jerry Ghionis.
“It was during this workshop that I decided that I was going to push the boundaries; I quickly transformed my business from a ‘hobbyist’ photographer to a completely new business from this workshop.”
“When I returned to Darwin, I changed the business name to my own name, rebranded and began taking on any challenge.”
Georgia also runs Top End Virtual, helping other businesses with their administration needs.
You can find Georgia Polites Photography on Facebook and Instagram or via www.gpphotographer.com.au