SOME MEN SEE THINGS AS THEY ARE AND SAY WHY? I DREAM THINGS THAT NEVER WERE AND SAY WHY NOT?

ROBERT F KENNEDY

About the Photographer

Susan McKinlay is a freelance commercial photographer, primarily based in Melbourne, yet working worldwide for agencies, corporations and galleries. Her qualifications are a Bachelor of Arts in Illustrative Photography from R.M.I.T. University, in Melbourne Australia. Susan's passion for life is evident through her love for people and the challenge to communicate, learn and respect other people's cultures.

History

Susan Mckinlay was born in Scotland in 1970, then moved to Australia with her family in 1972, and has called Australia her home ever since. Susan's passion for creativity is evident from an early age.

She attended ballet school for ten years in her youth and still enjoys dancing regularly today. Susan is an accomplished scuba diver, artist and painter, with her specialty in painting underwater fantasy scenes, showcasing mermaids riding seahorses, dancing dolphins, whales and a host of exquisite sea life. Upon completing a degree in Illustrative Photography from R.M.I.T. in Melbourne Australia, Susan spent a year assisting Australia's top commercial photographers, learning valuable skills about the trade before branching out into her own business. Susan Mckinlay is available for photography services worldwide.

Present

Susan's clients include advertising agencies, the corporate sector, the fashion industry, private and government organizations, along with private art buyers and galleries.

"I have a special interest in helping children with less opportunities, to improve and strengthen their lives to grow, develop and integrate into the mainstream of society at all levels. My objective is to express my photographic talent in a manner, which provides a good and worthy service for humanity. What an amazing world this would be to live in, if fellow human beings asked, How can I help and make a difference? rather than What's in it for me? I know, I'm not alone in this long walk for reconciliation, peace, justice and acknowledgment that all human beings should be given equal rights and opportunities. I would like to see more books in school libraries, schools with computers and internet access, in particular in the outback / country area's of Australia."

Susan McKinlay

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness which frightens us most. We ask ourselves: who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the glory that is within us. It is not just within some of us: it is in everyone. And when we let our light shine, We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

Nelson Mandela

Future

What does the future hold for Susan McKinlay and McKinlay Photography?

Along with my current work, more travelling, new adventures and meeting many more new friends. Host annual landscape print exhibitions with all proceeds going towards a children's education and development fund. I believe of all people in society, in particular our children all over the world are the most vulnerable of all. It is our responsibility as adults to help protect, nurture, teach and help them to develop and grow. Our Children are Our Future; they are the Leaders of Tomorrow.

Publications

McKinlay Photography will be introducing a card and calendar range onto the international market in the next two years.

Film

I am developing my skills and propose to move into the area of moving pictures. I will release a couple of quirky short independent films in the future. I am exceptionally excited over these new projects, being an artist, I now have many new elements which to play with i.e., sound, wind, moving subjects and light, and editing the final product.

Documentary Films

A series of short documentary films portraying women and children in their natural work and home environments. Initially, I shall document women and children in Australia and Asia, with plans of broadening this series into Europe and America, further down the track.

Personal Growth

I am determined to attempt all the things I have ever dreamt of as a child growing up. I'm pleased to say I'm well on my way. I'm a certified scuba diver, who has been blessed by having the opportunity to dive in some of the world's finest diving locations, right here in Australia. I have changed my mind about becoming an international spy, though the James Bond movies do make it look tempting! I am learning to fly a helicopter, you never know when this skill could come in handy in my ever-challenging lifestyle. Learning to play the saxophone, the sexiest, most soulful instrument to my ears.

Finally, and probably the most challenging of all, to learn a new language - Chinese. With future plans for numerous exhibitions in Asia, I anticipate learning the Chinese language will be most beneficial.

This is what life is all about. Nothing has been given to me, I have made it happen and so can you! Go out there, Live Life, Love Life, it is your life, make the most of it. No one will do it for you. You have the power within you. You are the master of your own destiny.

The Corporate Challenge

If there is any individual persons or corporations, who have an interest in making this world a better place for us all to live in, who believes in equal rights for all human beings regardless of sex, age, ethnic origins, religion, and physical abilities. Please contact me, together we can develop a strong collective team. We can combine each of our individual talents and skills and we can work towards making positive changes on all levels of society. We can achieve the seemingly impossible.

I was privileged in attending World Reconciliation Day at Colonial stadium in Melbourne 2000, where Nelson Mandela and Rubin Hurricane came to speak to us about reconciliation and making positive changes in the world. Some 20,000 people attended this talk, which proved to me I am not alone in this long walk for reconciliation, peace, justice and a deep acknowledgment that all human beings should be given equal rights and opportunities. Mr Nelson Mandela said in his speech, Show the corporate sector in your community, what is really happening, show them, where & how they can help.

Therefore, I extend an invitation to any businesses, companies and multinational corporations to match me in donating dollar for dollar with the money I raise through exhibiting and selling my photographic prints for the children's fund or better still, donating a percentage of the companies annual profit margin achieved at the end of the financial year. For example, donate 1 - 2 % of company's annual profit. I believe, all businesses that make substantial profit's have a moral duty to put back into the community and society where it is most needed. This can be achieved in countless areas of our society. For example, computer companies could donate computers and related equipment to the least equipt schools in Australia.

• Book publishers could donate books to schools with low library resources.
• Internet companies can offer free internet access time to low funded schools, and sporting companies can donate sporting equipment to schools with low resources in this area. The opportunities to make positive changes and to help children are endless. It's all up to US!!!

Many Thanks

Behind every creative artist is a support team, which usually consists of family, friends and individuals who believe in your work and talent. I would like to say Thank You to every person who has helped me along the way over the years.

Thanks Mum (Gina McKinlay) for teaching me right from wrong and left to right. You gave us an amazing cultured upbringing filled with love, compassion, education and understanding. To my beautiful brother John, Thank you for all the fun and laughter over the years.

For teaching me just about every sport in our childhood and teens, to ride a pushbike, catch a ball and inspiring me to learn to scuba dive. That has been the greatest gift of all.

Thank You to all my lecturers at RMIT University, John Childs (RMIT photography lecturer and commercial film maker) for telling me, I should be photographing what I love and that I can do it. Thank You to every individual who has modelled for me over the years helping me grow from an amateur to a professional photographer - very much appreciated.

Thank You, Jordan Walsh, for helping me construct and realize my vision of a 3D photographic gallery on the internet and also for working with a perfectionist. Thank You, Cameron Spence (talented webmaster / guru) for helping me create the original version of this epic website. To my close friend Tamara Wright, (model in two front cover publications with International Photography Magazine), Thank You for all your help over the years. You truly are an angel, as well as an amazingly talented photographer, world's best photographic assistant, beautiful and patient model, makeup artist and of recent times a graphic artist.

What would I do without you? To my close friend and kindred spirit, Albi, Thank you for all the adventures, laughter and tears over the years. Thank you for all your support, all those long unpaid hours being an excellent editor, private chauffeur, photographer's assistant, and on many occasions a wonderful model. You're the Best! To Martin Luther King, Robert J Kennedy, Steven Biko, Nelson Mandela, Rubin Hurricane, the Dali Lama, Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Princess Diana, Fred Hollows and so many other gifted human beings. Thank You for all your wisdom, leading us to the path of enlightenment and showing us how to create a better world and to achieve the seemingly impossible.

If you have managed to make it here to read this, Thank You for taking the time, Keep Smiling and remember to take the time to laugh, for it is the music of the Soul.

Warmest Wishes

Susan McKinlay