25 years and counting of shooting experience
JACKI AMES
PHOTOGRAPHER
Jacki Ames’ amazing image of Cathy Freemans last race at the Manchester Commonwealth Games won her the respect of her peers and sports fans across Australia. By the age of only 20, she had already shot some of the worlds biggest sporting events. Jacki was the youngest photographer at the Sydney Olympics, and on the first day captured Ian Thorpe claiming his world record for the Australia Olympic Committee. This attention sparked the entrepreneur deep within her. Jacki realised she wanted to work for herself and explore Australia and what it had to offer for sports photography.
Being one of only a few female professional sports photographers, Jacki decided to team up with two trusted friends; Marie Wilson - Aussie singer songwriter and Jo Thompson serial entrepreneur. Together over 10 years the trio built Australia’s largest national junior sports photography company Kangaroo Photos.
After selling the sports photography company in 2011, Jacki took a hiatus from her photography and the business to travel Australia. "I was burnt out and needed a break. That break ended up being over 2 years long, much longer than I had anticipated." After travelling and seeing how amazing Australia was Jacki began to feel the urge to pick up her camera again.
That urge sparked a deep desire to expand her subject matter. And it was then, that she decided that she was ready. Track forward to May 2017, Jacki Ames and her camera are together again. This time it's not just sport. This time the subject is Australia and all the amazing experiences, people and places it has to offer.
"Travelling allows me to experiment creatively with photography. I get to take photos on my terms. I get to capture people, places and experiences how I see them. Sport is technical and at times, I felt like a sniper holding my camera waiting for the micro-second of action. At the time I loved it, but now I love watching how the light affects things. I love having the time to take the shot, there is no hurry, no pressure and I am thoroughly enjoying photography more than I have ever done."
JACKI AMES
PHOTOGRAPHER
Originally from Melbourne, Jacki has been drawn to all corners of Australia. You could say she has been bitten by the travel bug. That love of travel is fuelled by her renewed obsession for photography.
“I have always been attracted to light and the tricks it plays on any subject I am shooting. Some of my earliest memories are of shooting with Darrin Braybrook and David Callow at the Melbourne Cup.” Jacki reflects. “After following these pro guys around and learning all about film and exposure I really fell deeply in love with sports photography. I loved the challenge of shooting on film without being able to check the display for exposure. There was feeling of excitement when I got back to the studio to check my photos. You really had to know what you were doing!”
“I can clearly remember my first pro shoot,
watching the light change in that earliest part
ofthe day, when the sun was just rising, just
seeping through. It stuck with me.
The light danced on the track and carved
beautiful silhouettes of the horses doing
their early morning track work.
I knew I was set for a life time of
mystery and adventure with my
camera in hand and my thirst
for light and it's awe-inspiring
and ever changing relationship with
the subject.”
The environment may set the scene
but Jacki sees something greater.
She sees an opportunity to tell a
story in detail, the feeling and
emotion of it all.
“I love to take my time and watch the
magic unfold".
"Jacki is an exceptional photographer with a brilliant and unique creative edge".
MARIE WILSON, AUSTRALIAN SINGER-SONGWRITER
RECENT WORK
VIEW MY MOST RECENT PHOTOS
@JACKI.AMES
CLIENTS
SOME CLIENTS I HAVE WORKED WITH
