From the bustling streets of Melbourne/Naarm to the quiet majesty of the Austrian countryside, Tom Hvala – AKA thomasjpg – is a master of delicate beauty. Whether it’s capturing the big blisses of a wedding day or the small happinesses of blossoming flowers backgrounded by tumbling mountains, Tom has a habit of immortalising the all-consuming ecstasy of joy into his photos. We chat to the shutterbug – who is currently travelling (and snapping) around Greece – about his approach to the craft, how he got started, and the story behind shooting this series in the hills of Austria.

Tell us about the first time you remember picking up a camera. Thinking about this made me laugh. I was the friend during high school that always brought their camera – a crappy Panasonic P&S – to a party and uploaded the photos to Facebook the next day. There wasn’t much artistic intent at that time. So, I’d say that the first time was when I took a Diana Mini (my first film camera) to New York and Europe when I was 19 in 2011. 

These B-sides from your travels through Austria are stunning – what camera and film were you shooting on? I used a Contax G2 and shot on Portra 400. I use this camera for my professional and wedding work as well. The Contax is automatic, which suits my style and approach to photography if I’m moving around a lot. My favourite film is actually Agfa Vista but they discontinued it!

What is your approach to shooting when it comes to capturing photos like those in this series? In Austria, I was shooting to create a new print series, so I definitely shot a lot (30-plus rolls). It required restraint – though, it was so beautiful. However, shooting film does invite a more discerning approach to how I photograph. It’s simply too expensive to shoot absolutely everything.Do you have a favourite photo that you captured from your time in Austria? I love the ‘Hillside Church’ photo. The horses went to lie down just as I pulled out my camera. As soon as I’d taken the photo, a few slowly wandered over to say hello. 

You describe Austria as a place where you said ‘wow’ a thousand times. Has any location you’ve shot before compared to the majestic beauty of Austria? Austria really surprised me with just how much fun it was. We rented a car and drove through old mountain towns, over rolling hills, past herds of cows, from campsite to campsite. But Italy – for me – has all the beauty I could ask for. Landscapes yes, but the people, pasta, history and love. Some of my most formative experiences have been in Italy – particularly in Elba. 

What are the differences between shooting a landscape and shooting for a wedding? Generally, I’d say landscape and architecture photography relies on strong composition and framing, whereas working with people – particularly if I’m taking their portrait or photographing their wedding – requires a shared vulnerability and intimacy. But really, both types of photography inform each other.

Your photos are everywhere all around Naarm – what is it like to walk into a local café or restaurant and clock one of your own photographs on the wall? Haha – I still laugh because it’s always a bit surreal. There’s usually a lovely backstory. For instance, for Dua Bakehouse (the most recent café to buy my work), Raymond’s partner had bought some of my prints years ago as a present for Raymond. The opportunity to build on that relationship was really rewarding. 

Do you have any upcoming photography trips on the horizon? Yes! I’m actually right now shooting in Milos off the back of photographing weddings in Kuala Lumpur and Poros. Next year, I’m off to Bordeaux and Puglia to photograph weddings – which I’m sure will involve a few photography-related misadventures.