Hanging out with Kushi Leggo and Emma Hedley on Clontarf Beach

It’s always a joy to work with models like Kushi Leggo and Emma Hedley, who are signed with Scoop Management and currently gracing a tonne of campaign and shop windows all across Australia. We shot this at one of my local Sydney favourites, Clontarf, on the northern beaches, and this shoot represents everything I love about creating beach editorials. It perfectly captured the light, energy, and connection between these two incredible talents, and we never took ourselves too seriously.

The idea for this shoot began as a solo session with Kushi, whom I last worked with on the morning of her 19th birthday (you can see that shoot here). At the last minute she asked if she could bring Em along, and I couldn’t resist photographing them together. I shot with Emma almost a year ago at a nearby location (you can see that shoot here); she brought her signature freckles and effortless grace. Kushi’s amber eyes, strong jawline and emotive expressions were as captivating as ever. Their natural chemistry as close friends gave this one a real, authentic dynamic you can’t fake, which I think you’ll love.

For the first look, both models wore swimwear from Horse & Berries, setting a vibrant tone for the session. The second look featured Kushi in a bikini from Triangl Swim—for whom she’s shot campaigns—while the third look combined Bydee Swim (worn by Em) and Triangl (worn by Kushi). Each outfit complemented the setting, with Clontarf’s clear waters and warm afternoon light providing the perfect backdrop.

All images were shot on 35mm film using my Canon EOS 3 with a 24-70mm f/2.8L II and some additional work with the 100mm macro lens for closer, detailed shots. Shooting on film adds a timeless quality that aligns with my approach to editorial beach photography, where authenticity and natural beauty take centre stage. You can check out the 35mm film stocks I use via this link on Georges Cameras.

Support My Work

If you love my work and want to see more, here are a few ways you can support me:

• Shout me a few rolls of film to help keep the creativity flowing: Support here.

• Grab a copy of my Zine, which showcases more of my work and creative process.

This shoot represents everything I love about being Sydney-based: the interplay of light and water, the candid energy of the models, and the timeless charm of film photography. I’m excited to share this gallery and see where 2024 takes Kushi and Emma in their careers. If you would like to work with them, reach out to Scoop for any campaign, editorial or other enquiries.