Through Kaye’s lens

For Kaye Watson, 68, photography has been a passion from a young age.

She has always been drawn to capturing people, events, and her natural surroundings, fascinated by the way natural light enhances their stories.

“My first camera was an Instamatic that I saved up for with money from collecting milk bottles,” Kaye said.

“I bought it from the local chemist here in Tatura, and I think I was around 12 years old.

“Film was very expensive back then, so I couldn’t always afford it, but that’s when my love for photography began.”

In 1974, Kaye pursued a career in nursing, taking on many successful roles throughout the Goulburn Valley.

In her younger years, she also enjoyed overseas travel, but photography was never far from her creative mind.

So, in 1999, at the age of 43, she decided to formally study the art form, immersing herself in the techniques and principles that would refine her skills.

“I studied a one-year vocational photography course at the Northern Melbourne Institute of Tafe,” she said.

“I think I was the oldest student enrolled in the course.

“I loved working in the darkroom, and I enjoyed the course so much that the following year I did my diploma.”

After completing her diploma, Kaye’s experience and passion for photography have only continued to grow.

From weddings and portraits to the local landscape, her camera has rarely left her side.

Always ready to capture the next breathtaking sunset, a frosty morning, a beautiful tree, or a magical bird, Kaye finds inspiration everywhere — especially around Tatura.

Locally, she can often be found photographing community events, offering her talents at no charge.

She does this so often that when she attends an event without her camera, people can’t help but comment on how unusual it is.

“People started saying, ‘Kaye, I’ve never seen you naked before,’” Kaye said with a laugh.

“My photos are a way of recording history, I suppose, and I love doing it for our community.

“One day, I hope they’ll end up in the local museum, preserving the history of our wonderful little town.”

Throughout Kaye’s photography career, she has received well-deserved recognition for her work.

She won a People’s Choice photography award for an image of a dementia patient named Grace — a moment she captured with great care.

“It came with a $500 cash prize, which was nothing to be sneezed at,” she said.

She has also been honoured with a Tatura Citizen of the Year award, for her dedication to local event photography, always showing up to capture special moments for the people of her town.

Each year, Kaye devotes her time to several community groups in Tatura, including the Goulburn Valley Tree Group and the Tatura Irrigation and Wartime Camps Museum.

In addition to her strong community spirit, she stays busy creating local calendars, which she sells each November to showcase the beauty of the region.

Her A3 calendars ($25), along with $6 gift cards and pre-ordered prints, are available for purchase by contacting Kaye at the museum.

"I’ve never really enjoyed being front and centre — I’d much rather be behind the camera,” Kaye said.

“But I love knowing that my photos help people remember special moments.

“Whether it’s a new truck arriving in town or a community event, people often let me know because they want it documented.

“It’s nice to know my work means something to others and at the end of the day, I just enjoy capturing life as it happens and people as they truly are."

Kaye’s work speaks volumes, capturing the fleeting moments that define the life of a town and ensuring they are never forgotten.

Whether she prefers to stay out of the spotlight, hiding behind the camera, this is a story that truly deserved to be told.

Do yourself a favour — purchase one of her calendars; they are a beautiful reflection of how she truly sees the world through her lens.