White Pages® News

On the road with Andrew Craig

November 7, 2011

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Risking frosty fingers, battling crocodiles and travelling to the most remote areas of Australia is all in a day’s work for White Pages® Covers photographer Andrew Craig.

The Melbourne based snapper has been capturing everyday Australians with extraordinary stories for the cover of the White Pages® and Yellow Pages® books for the past 10 years – putting himself in some pretty funny and memorable situations along the way. 

This month he embarked on his latest adventure – shooting 69 covers for next year’s directories under the theme A Helping Hand, The Aussie Way. Andrew has the process down to a fine art and says a ‘covers’ shoot  can sometimes wrap-up in as little as 10 minutes with the right weather conditions.

“At the heart of a great photo is the cover subject and what they have to convey – we just need to pair that with an equally inspiring backdrop,” he says.

“Most people don’t like getting their photo taken; I don’t like getting mine taken either! So you have to get the shot in the first few minutes before you lose that spontaneity and energy. You really have to get it straight away.

Each year the White Pages® and Yellow Pages® feature inspiring Australians who constantly amaze Andrew with their incredible stories of helping others and making the world a better place.

“Top of the list was 2010 Courageous Australian Les Snowdon who featured on the Wollongong cover after losing his right arm and leg in a workplace accident in 1992. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Len was back riding his surfboard six months after the accident and has devoted his life to helping fellow amputees,” says Andrew.

Shooting the cover photos can be just as memorable. Just this month, Andrew’s plans to shoot a cover subject on a beach in far north Queensland nearly flew out the window when the local hero warned him of the likelihood of crocs in the shallows!

Even with its hairy moments, Andrew loves his job – particularly when he gets to shoot on one of the country’s pristine beaches.

“Coastal locations are a lot more changeable with the sky. They are more interesting at sunrise, there are more interesting clouds. But then again, the Northern Territory is always interesting. I’d say there are very few places I don’t like,” Andrew says.

Lucky for him! For the rest of the year Andrew will be travelling from Darwin to Dubbo and beyond to shoot the latest round of cover subjects – sure to be the best images to land on your doorstep next year.

To get your home town on the cover of next year’s White Pages® and Yellow Pages®, why not nominate a local hero under the theme A Helping Hand, The Aussie Way. They might be a long-time volunteer or just someone who goes above and beyond to make your community a better place.

Nominate online or send an email to coversprogram@sensis.com.au, fax a nomination to 03 8416 6779 or post your nomination to A Helping Hand, The Aussie Way, Locked Bag 6005. Richmond, Vic, 3121.