Beck Rocchi is a bit of a wanderer, so it makes sense that her images inject us with a hefty dose of wanderlust, and the urge to hotfoot it to the airport, jump on the nearest plane and jet off into the great unknown. The free-spirited photographer captures the world around her in all its colourful, nature-filled glory, and we got in touch with her to find out more about her snaps and adventures around the globe.



What is your name and how old are you? Konnichiwa! (Sorry I have just returned from Japan...) My name is Beck Rocchi and I am 28 years old, 29 in January!

Where were you born and where do you live now? I was born in sunny old Melbourne town – right in the heart of the city - and I live there now too! Between the ages of 22 and 28 I had my gypsy shoes on – I travelled around the globe and lived in Bali and Byron Bay. I was always chasing new adventures, living in the moment and following my heart. Now my heart is in Melbourne.



How does where you grew up and where you live now affect your photography? I grew up in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and attended a private school. My heart was far more creative, wildly passionate and alternative than the people around me. This fused my desire to travel and experience the world and its gorgeous race! Now I have met so many human beings and experienced so many different cultures and personalities that it blows my mind. The reason I love travelling is because it allows me to capture these faces... to try and tell their stories through frozen moments and share it with the rest of the world.

What areas, things or people in your neighbourhood do you most like to photograph? I enjoy photographing the real world around us. I love revealing truth, telling stories and capturing the world as it exists.



What do you shoot on (digital or analogue) and why do you choose to use that type? I shoot digital. I love the ease and ability to manipulate its grade on the computer afterwards. Because I shoot weddings, sometimes I take 3000+ images in a day and it allows me to curate a really tight selection of images through the processing programs on my computer.

Is there a certain camera or type of film that you wish you could own? My dad was a photographer. He had his own photo lab and processed his own pics of my gorgeous mum and their lives together. This would be such a lovely, fun thing to have in your home.

Is there a running theme to the work you create, or do you just make whatever comes to mind? I honestly just love capturing real life. Shooting people and characters, showing their personalities and revealing their love, their style and their existence in this world.



What kinds of ideas and things are you working on at the moment? I just returned from Japan, which was the most incredible experience ever. My photographic brain was so stimulated! There were so many cool cats on the street in the raddest style ever! But also the beautiful intensity and respectful culture in the traditional areas... the sumo wrestling was mind blowing!

What kind of subjects interest you the most? I love meeting and photographing people who are 100% true to themselves. Their uniqueness is their power, and they are comfortable in their shoes, following their hearts and running the life they desire. It's sad when you see people stuck in jobs or lives that they followed just because.



Do you prefer to create set-up photographs, or just wander the streets until you see a photo? I definitely prefer capturing moments which exist on their own. I feel like they have an element of truth and real-ness about them. That's why I love shooting weddings. There is so much excitement, love and emotion! My pics are very documentary style... I sit back and capture it all without interfering.

If you were to teach an photography appreciation class, what kind of lessons would you try to teach your students? One thing that I have realised – especially when I am travelling - is that sometimes I am so keen on getting the shot I forget to put the camera down and just enjoy my experience. It's important to see the world through your own eyes as well as your lens.

What are some of the challenges that you are facing in modern times as a photographer? I guess because I am all self-taught and now running my own business, it's a matter of keeping up with trends and technology as it changes. The world is evolving so quickly and technology is advancing like no other!



What is the strangest thing or thought that has inspired a photo? I think my inspiration comes from the depth of my creative brain. I was always in love with books as a child – fairytales and adventures and I still remember so many of the pictures and the stories! I did a shoot with a friend where I imagined her swept up on the rocks... fragile and beautiful and covered in crystals. The shots turned out incredibly!

What other budding photographers do you love? Oh my god, I'm so in love with my friend Mellie Tjonga's work. Her fashion eye is insanely incredible! A friend also showed me Jessica Tremp's work yesterday. It's so beautiful.



What do you enjoy doing when not taking photos? Walks with my ladies, coffee catch-ups, rooftop barbecues, sunset drinks on picnic rugs, family dinners with my three brothers, and birthday parties which turn into crazy nights! My boyfriend and I love escaping down the coast. There is nothing lovelier than leaving the city with the tunes blaring and your feet hanging out the window.

Where can we see more of your work? You can scroll my blogs for hours on beckrocchi.com.au or add me on instagram - @beckrocchiphotography. Or find me on facebook – Beck Rocchi Photography. XXX