Interviewed by Vanessa McCall.
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Jody D'Arcy and I met many years ago when our daughters were in the same ballet class. Through the subsequent get-to-know-you chit-chat, I found out that Jody was a photographer. What Jody didn't tell me was just how good a photographer she was. And I mean, seriously good. She's photographed world famous celebrities and been asked out by a world famous celebrity (more on that later). Her work has been published in most of the national glossy magazines including Vogue Living and Belle. She has held gallery exhibitions and has had her photos translated into wallpaper. To top off an already incredibly creative career, Jody is now the Founder and Editor of Havenist, a beautiful bi-annual magazine/coffee table book dedicated to remarkable Western Australian design, architecture, creatives and businesses. Read on to find out more about what makes this amazingly talented creative tick (and why she said no to Hugh Jackman!)
Jody picked out her favourite pieces from Iridescent Sea.
'Jody in her home wearing the Palermo Dress in Butterfly.'
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You're a very successful photographer, with your work appearing in numerous high-profile magazines including Belle, Vogue Living, InsideOut and Gourmet Traveller to name a few. What led you to your career in photography?
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Photography is something I was really interested in from an early age. My parents are both highly creative, and I remember using the camera and really being quite enamoured by it. It wasn’t offered at my high school as a subject unfortunately, so it wasn’t until a social worker in hospital (where I’d spent many weeks recovering from surgery) came to speak to me about my year ahead. That conversation changed everything, because she asked what I really wanted to do, and I said "Photography". Together with my parents, she pulled some strings and got me a spot doing a Diploma in Applied Science in Photography at TAFE. This was the industry-preferred course at the time over the more theory-based option at University, so it was there my career began.
I have had the privilege of capturing some beautiful homes and the work of incredible designers, architects, builders and professionals. I just love it and try to do every home the justice it deserves for the blood, sweat, tears and many hours that have gone into each project!
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Prior to starting your own business, you were a senior photographer with News Limited, capturing many celebrities on film including Kylie Minogue and the Dalai Lama. Is there anyone on your bucket list you'd love to photograph?
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I worked for News Limited for nine years before starting my own business. It was an amazing opportunity to really be thrust into all genres of photography, think fast creatively, problem solve and work to a deadline. I was fortunate to have access to some incredible people and places.
I’d love to photograph Hugh Jackman to have the opportunity to just chat and work with him - he is an amazing actor. I’d love to know if he remembers asking me out many moons ago when he was working at the then Valentino’s in Northbridge while studying at WAAPA. (FYI: Jody turned Hugh down! She was only 16 at the time and didn't think her parents would approve!)
'Jody at her favourite beach in City Beach wearing the Hotel Toquilla Cowgirl Hat, Little Pearl Linen Dress worn as a duster with the Palazzo pants in Batik.'
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You've branched out into landscape and nature photography - and you now exhibit and sell your beautiful work which features places from all over Western Australia including Lancelin, Rottnest, the Pilbara and even clouds in the sky! You have such a creative eye that captures beauty that many of us would simply not even notice. Is this creativity something you've always had or have you learned to pay more attention to your surroundings through your lens?
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Nature is a big part of my life and I see the world as I view it, unconsciously thinking how I would be capturing it with my camera. I know it sounds silly, but this is something I can’t turn off in myself. I absolutely love Western Australia and feel very privileged to call it home. Capturing it is like a meditation for me and such a thrill that people enjoy living with my images on their walls! My images are on the walls of some incredible homes, commercial spaces and even Louis Vuitton in Perth. I have an art print shop and continue to add to the collections of Studio D’Arcy
'Jody wearing the Havana Silk Pelota Dress in Sunset with our Zulu slides.'
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I love that you call yourself "the cloud collector", with your Cloud portfolio being the start of a beautiful ongoing wallpaper collaboration with Scandinavian Wallpaper & Decor. How did this opportunity come about?
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My photographic collection of clouds is just something I’ve always done – I’m besotted with them! My cloud wallpaper and art prints happened quite by accident. I have known Lollo from Scandinavian Wallpaper & Decor for many years now. It actually all started at a work function we both attended. I showed her one of my cloud photos that I was printing for my brother for his 40th birthday. Lollo thought it would make incredible wallpaper and I remember saying that if she likes clouds for wallpaper then I’m her lady! The rest is history! We’ve done many different series since and we have more coming. I find it very amusing that people now tell me when they look at clouds, they think of me. I’d like to always be remembered as the cloud collector!
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Just to add to your already impressive resume, you are now the founder and Editor of the new (and very beautiful) Havenist magazine. What was your inspiration behind this venture and how has your magazine been received to date.
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Havenist has really been borne out of a desire to create a platform to showcase the talent we have here in Western Australia. I’ve been working for online and glossy national magazines for over a decade and frustration crept in as a Perth home is not always in every issue. I felt that this was never enough to shine a light on the talent we have over here. I love that Havenist is now the place we can document and showcase these beautiful homes and the creative community involved in each of these projects, which has welcomed Havenist with open arms.
'Jody at The Claremont Hotel wearing the Palermo Maxi Dress in Blue Dupion Silk & Shala Heels.'
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Have you read any good books lately?
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Yes I have! Phosphorescence by Julia Baird; The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland; and Think like a Monk by Jay Shetty.
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What is your next travel destination?
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I’d love to take my children to the snow and skiing for the first time! They are very athletic and I think they would pick it up quickly and love it!
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Where is your favourite place to holiday and why?
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Rottnest Island - instant calm and in complete holiday-mode on arrival! It is such a stunning and majestic place - I love it! (See Jody’s love for Rottnest translated to wallpaper here and WA art prints here)
'Jody at The Claremont Hotel wearing the Palermo Maxi Dress in Blue Dupion Silk & Shala Heels.'
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