The saltmotion Journey
June 8th, 2010Soon enough this forum will be a place of discussion on a range of events, both local and international, from writers around the globe. Readers will be able to comment and contribute and we look forward to having your opinions and thoughts published on our website.
The first article will be up soon. Until then, I thought I would take a few moments to tell you a little more about saltmotion and our journey so far.
I started learning to use a camera in the early years of high school. Soon this became my all-consuming passion and I was doing everything I could to get out of other classes so I could spend more time in the dark room (digital photography was still a dream back then). Most of my friends were either body boarders or surfers and I often found myself perched on the cliffs at Tamarama taking my first steps into the world of surf photography.
At age 15 I became heavily involved in SCUBA diving and was working weekends in a dive shop in Coogee whilst still spending as much time as possible with the camera in the surf and underwater. The dive shop gave me an opportunity to use some underwater camera housings, which is where I learnt the basics of photographing in the water… as well as a few harsh lessons on how to be gentle with equipment. I am pretty sure I still owe a friend for a flooded camera!
As soon as high school was over I moved to Lord Howe Island where I worked on the local dive boats and spent countless hours in the water as well as riding some pretty amazing waves. This was meant to be a 1 month post which turned into a two year stretch, which turned into a 6 year overseas adventure taking in most continents, countless photographs, perfect waves and amazing people.
On returning to Australia I was now 100% sure that I wanted to pursue photography full time and began assisting in commercial studios before building my own client list. It was a few years after this, in 2007, that saltmotion was born.
What started out as a way for my friends critique my work turned into a small website where anyone could view recent photos from around the beaches. The site grew – and eventually became a weekly update of photographs with a wrap-up of events and conditions. By 2008 the saltmotion website was taking up a fair chunk of my time and I was out with the camera every morning and building a steady following which is still growing strongly today.
2009, and a guy that grew up calling Bondi his home beach made the move to Manly – for a girl. With my photography career now well established, I was dedicating a lot more time to the photographs for the saltmotion website. With a little prodding from friends the decision was made to send out a daily report.
Since saltmotion began publishing daily reports the site has gone from strength to strength and the local support has been amazing, thank you.
It was not long after this time that the idea of a permanent place to display and sell the photographs started being discussed more frequently.
Lots of talk about a gallery and discussions with friends still left us feeling that there was something missing from the equation. We really wanted to create a space where people could come and appreciate art but also stay a while, relax and enjoy each other’s company.
Enter Marc Desveaux and Sep Ashakni – A chance meeting to talk about T-shirt design led to discussions about their dream of opening a café – not your standard cafe, something with a good vibe, lots of creative energy and of course first class coffee and cakes.
The team was now together and the saltmotion gallery / café was under way. Just before Christmas 2009 we found the perfect location. The process of opening a gallery and café together is no small task. Anyone who has his or her own business knows about the work involved it getting it of the ground. But we got there!
The doors are now open, so come down and visit us at saltmotion. After all it is the people that really make the place come to life.
Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman.
p.s. there are far too many people to thank to possibly list them all here. To everyone that has been there along the way, you know who you are – Thank you.
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Random Stuff
June 9th, 2010
Hi Joel,
congrats mate.
awesome feeling achieving your dream.
i used to work with Sherrie and bumped into yourself on most mornings down at manly. i am living on the sunshine coast (noosa) now so i use your website to keep up to date with the surf down there.
heading down that way this weekend so will definately pop in for a coffee….
say gday to sherrie for me
all the best with the new endeavour
Brett
June 10th, 2010
Good work on the cafe!
Devo, I’m coming over for a coffee this arvo! Yeew
June 10th, 2010
Congratulations mate, truely stoked for you!!
New gallery looks great!
See you Saturday.
June 10th, 2010
Hey Joel,
Brilliant news and great look to the new site and e mail. Love getting your updates and very excited about seeing the cafe on Sat! Great news. Are you on Twitter?
Congrats!
Katy
June 10th, 2010
If only I had just looked to the right…found you….@saltmotion
June 10th, 2010
Saltmotion Posse,
Congratulations on the Gallery, Cafe, and Prints. It all looks awesome and looking forward to coming down this long weekend for a cafe and checking out the merchandise. (Plus say hello to Marley)
See you in the surf brothers and sisters,
Damo
June 10th, 2010
Great to hear Guys. I know it HAS been a HUGE mish to get this up and running for you all. You’ve all worked so hard for this so I know this place WILL have good vibes and great coffee, and amazing art and photography. Cant wait to see it.
June 10th, 2010
great job Joel, the gallery, coffee, new website, all the pics……. will definetily go there this weekend
June 10th, 2010
Hey there, thanks to everyone for all the support. I hope that you can make it down to the Gallery and Cafe over the weekend.
June 11th, 2010
Big thanks for all for the support – looking forward to seeing you all this weekend, and the next…
June 13th, 2010
Joel,
Love the new gallery and cafe and the chance to show your work to more people. The photos look magical in the gallery.
Graeme
June 14th, 2010
Great looking web site guys! Marc & Sep, look forward to seeing you guys, and coming in for a coffee
June 25th, 2010
Love the web site (the owl is great)
Enjoy the coffee and the ambience of the cafe/gallery.
This is something different for Manly.
All the best to yoiu
Marlene
July 20th, 2010
I agree with Marlene’s comment on June 25th – this is something different for Manly! But it’s a perfect fit too. Well done, and thank you to the lovely Sep and Marc for offering the doggie water bowl for the various dogs my sons ans I brought along on our coffee stop.
LOVE your coffee, and love the friendly, artistic vibe of the place.
Anna
July 29th, 2010
Hey mate you are doing an amazing job!!
Cheers and keep going=v=
August 29th, 2010
Jemma is cool
September 6th, 2010
So happy to have a groovey place to pop into for a coffee, good art, smiles, and great atmosphere. Oh and right next door!