Home » Nathan Penhall: Capturing Australia’s Untouched Beauty through Sustainable Photography and Client-Centered Service

Nathan Penhall: Capturing Australia’s Untouched Beauty through Sustainable Photography and Client-Centered Service

Narrated by Perrin Adams

Success story summary Nathan Penhall’s interview explores his passion for photography, showcasing Australia’s stunning landscapes, commitment to eco-friendly practices, and his focus on delivering exceptional service while preserving the environment’s beauty for future generations.

Can you please share a brief history about your photography business? What motivated you to start this venture?

My journey into photography began back in 2013, when I picked up my first Canon DSLR, gearing up for a trip to Queenstown, New Zealand. That moment forever changed me. It sparked a deep passion that still fuels my dedication to capturing the beauty of nature’s most breathtaking landscapes. Along the way, I’ve also cherished building lasting connections with Melbourne’s building and landscape architecture communities, which have influenced and enriched my creative perspective.

I genuinely believe in the power of imagery to move people — to stir emotions, create connections, and convey powerful messages that go beyond words. Through my work as a photographer, I strive to encapsulate the essence of Australia’s natural environment.

Over the years, I’ve developed a style that honors the untouched beauty of this country’s pristine beaches, majestic mountains, and ancient forests. My photography is not just about aesthetics; it’s a way to spotlight the importance of sustainability and preserving these incredible habitats for future generations.

Each image in my portfolio tells its own story, evoking a range of feelings and inviting viewers to see the world through my lens. My commitment to capturing and protecting the natural beauty of Australia is at the heart of every shot I take. For me, photography is more than just an art form — it’s a way to inspire change and remind us all of the value in safeguarding the wilderness that surrounds us.

What kind of challenges did you face when building up your portfolio or setting up your studio? How did you overcome these challenges?

The primary challenges were knowledge of equipment and budget. With a limited amateur budget, I had to invest wisely in the equipment that would benefit my photography niche the most.

With time and experience comes a better understanding of the equipment available to enhance your in-shot abilities. This, along with a disciplined financial approach, has allowed me to build up a broad spectrum of photography equipment and accessories to assist with capturing the natural environment.

Could you describe the early days of your business? What were the initial reactions and feedback you received?

The early days of building the business were slow. This, in turn, caused me to greatly value the clients I did gain. My small database of clients all became repeat clients. While they liked the images they commissioned me for, they especially appreciated my customer service focus and frequently commented that they had never received that level of service from previous photographers.

Having a true grasp of the client brief and how they’re going to utilize your images in marketing content is also crucial. This led to steady, ongoing organic growth of my client database as a result of referrals. It wasn’t until many years later that I started spending money on social media marketing to continue my business growth.

What are some key lessons you've learned along your entrepreneurial journey? Is there anything you would do differently if given a chance?

Self-belief, resilience, and commitment are paramount. But above all, passion for photography and the love of being behind the camera will get you through difficult times of self-doubt.

If you have a vision of where you want to take your photography business and the discipline to map it out, it can be a very exciting time for someone starting out as a photographer. For me, the love of having a photography business is very much in the journey of where my camera takes me.

Are there any tools or software that have been particularly useful in managing and growing your business? Give us a list of what you use in your kit.

I started out as an amateur photographer chasing landscape compositions. Over the years, I have diversified into more specific niches, all within the ‘natural environment’ field.

Equipment for Landscape Photography

Equipment for Aerial Photography
Drone: DJI Mavic 3 (with the DJI Inspire 3 on the wishlist!)
Filters

Equipment for Underwater Photography
Housing: Aquatech waterproof housing for 5D MkIII and all lenses

Equipment for Deep Space Astro Photography

Software for Post-Production Editing

Could you recommend any books, resources, or mentors that have significantly influenced your business journey?

While there are many photographers that I draw inspiration from through their social media pages and websites, there is one particular landscape photographer that has helped shape the way I capture and process images.

Christian Fletcher in Australia’s South West is very giving of his time and knowledge to the photography community. He has a great YouTube channel that provides free tutorials of editing techniques.

What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs who wish to start their own photography business?

Passion, self-belief, and resilience.

Cultivate a hunger for knowledge and personal growth. Avoid being judgmental of industry peers, and don’t let others’ judgments shape your journey.

Connect with other photographers in your niche who are on a similar path and form a guild.

And, don’t be afraid! Don’t hesitate to experiment with new compositions or editing techniques. Don’t shy away from reaching out for support or marketing your business. Invest in software or equipment if you genuinely believe it will benefit your business.

Responses

Nathan Penhall is a photographer dedicated to capturing Australia’s natural beauty, blending sustainable practices with client-focused service to create impactful, breathtaking imagery.

About Nathan

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Quote

For me, photography is more than just an art form — it’s a way to inspire change and remind us all of the value in safeguarding the wilderness that surrounds us.

Nathan

Where to find Nathan

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