Behind the shot: Tales behind the highlights at photo show

The Waterfront at Shell Cove has been transformed into an open-air photographic gallery for PromenART 2026, bringing the landscapes, wildlife and people of the region to life through the lens of more than 25 photographers.

Running until October 30, the free exhibition features more than 75 large-format photographs from both renowned and emerging artists, alongside live music and family-friendly activities.

Sunrise Cockatoo by Alana Taylor

Alana Taylor is based in Jamberoo and originally from Warilla. She has been in the industry for 15 years after discovering her passion for visual storytelling in high school. 

The photographer said that after living in the area for a year, her featured piece, Sunrise Cockatoo, highlights her recent focus on slowing down and paying attention to what's around her. 

“I’ve noticed myself slowing down and paying so much more attention to what's around me and I remember seeing the cockatoo in the morning and just thinking how extraordinary and beautiful it was,” Alana said.

“Cockatoos are prolific amongst the beautiful nature we live in and they almost look iridescent because of the way the light reflects off them.”

Alana hopes her piece reminds those who visit the gallery to not take things for granted.

“We see them all the time and we take them for granted because they are so familiar but when you see them in such a magical setting like in this particular photo, it's just so captivating,” she said.

“We become so accustomed to things that we see every day and we genuinely forget how beautiful they are.

“This photo is a reminder to just look up and pay attention because we forget how lucky we are to live here.”

Macie by Sarah Mann

Sarah Mann owns a photography business with her husband and they have a special interest in capturing family moments. 

The mother and photographer said her piece, Macie, showcases her daughter admiring the beauty of a sunset. 

“I was cooking dinner and I paused when I noticed the light and how beautiful the sunset was,” Sarah said.

“My daughter was five at the time and she went and got a stool and dragged it over to the window, and when I asked what she was doing, she told me she was watching the sunset.

“I just thought it was one of those moments where I felt like I was doing something right as a mum because she was sitting there actually appreciating it.”

Sarah hopes by featuring this photograph, members of the community will remember to appreciate the smaller things in life.

“I think it's important that in our busy lives we take a moment to notice the little things,” she said.

Norway Sunrise by Nathan Perretta

Nathan is a Shell Cove resident who has enjoyed photography as a hobby for the past 15 years alongside his full-time job. 

The photographer said his travels are the main inspiration behind most of photographs and this featured piece was his favourite one from his Norway trip.

“I like to travel and I like to take photos of where I go, what I do and what the areas look like,” he said.

“I always wanted to travel to Norway and Iceland for the northern lights and there is this bridge that is famous for photos.

“I looked down and saw a red hut sitting on the rock shelf with a nice water channel and the mountains in the background.”

Nathan wanted this piece to be dramatic and capture the energy of the environment surrounding him.

“I was watching the water flow in and out and I thought I'd try to capture the mood with the mist, water and mountains in contrast to the red hut,” he said.

“I wanted it to be dramatic and draw people into the landscape.”

Everybody In by Blair McMahon

Blair is a Shellharbour resident and full-time photographer who is always looking for the lessons and beauty in things.

She picked up her first camera at 11 years old and her first job was in a photographic lab in Kiama at the age of 14.

The photographer and mother said her aerial piece was inspired by her love for the South Coast rock pools. 

“I have become fearful of swimming out in the ocean so I’m personally obsessed with rock pools,” she said.

“I love places that are still very much connected to the ocean because the salt and fresh air is what I grew up on and it's good for the soul."

Blair hopes her piece inspires the community to reflect back on memories in the water.

“The rock pools are my happy place and the title is a phrase that sparks so many water memories for me and for other Aussies,” she said.

“I want people to think about those hours that disappear, afternoons that stretch on forever with lots of laughter, connections with loved ones and that feeling of never wanting to get out of the water."

Through PromenART 2026, these photographers offer visitors a chance to see familiar places and everyday moments from different perspectives.