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Eighteen year-old Claire Ha has a very clear picture of what she would like to pursue as her career. A talented photographer who is mostly self-taught in her art, Claire started learning her craft in 2015, and with support from Rocky Bay’s Stages Toward employment Pathways (S.T.E.P) program, she is developing her very own micro-enterprise.
Claire’s speciality is working with family pets, dogs in particular, and specialises in photographing pet portraits, action shots, and has even covered dog trials.
“Sometimes I cover dog training shoots,” Claire said.
“I’ve done one cat photoshoot…and I’m doing a horse photo shoot next Monday!”
Many of the photo shoots Claire has undertaken have been from word of mouth. When she has a client request snaps of their pet, Claire focuses on deciding the right location for the shoot and the right style of photography.
“S.T.E.P has helped me with the business side of things, and figuring out how to do it,” Claire said.
The team has supported Claire to navigate the set up of her business and helping her to establish processes to help it succeed, such as learning how to develop quotes for photoshoots, developing information to share with clients who make phone enquiries and responding to those enquiries promptly.
Claire also gleaned different types of skills earlier this year on securing a casual role with the West Australian Electoral Commission, and had the opportunity to work the weekend of the most recent State elections.
When it comes to photography, Claire is very quick to recall her favourite photoshoot so far.
“It was a shoot with my friend Julia and her dog, Misia, at Rockingham Salt Lakes.”
Rocky Bay’s S.T.E.P program uses an individual approach to transition young people from school to employment but supporting them to build on the personal skills needed to start their employment journey. The team take the time to get to know each individual, their interests, goals and career aspirations to help develop their skills and abilities.