Meet Kai! We recently worked with Kai on our latest swimwear collection and asked him a few questions about his life, his creative process and fatherhood. Kai recently moved from Queensland to Lutruwita/Tasmania with his family. He shares how the transition has felt like coming home and how the natural beauty of Tasmania inspires his creativity as a photographer. He reflects on the profound impact of fatherhood, revealing how it has transformed his perspective on life and his creative process, and the importance of embracing his little girl, Olive's, creativity.

Tell us about where you live/ where is home? 

We're actually in a bit of an in-between phase here. My Family and I have just recently made the move to Lutruwita/Tasmania from Queensland and although I wouldn't say we have fully settled in yet, we have all instantly fallen in love with the place, and very much consider it our home. It fits our lifestyle and personality so much more than the Sunshine Coast where we moved from. Like everywhere else I suppose, It's changed so much since I grew up there. Much of what I loved about growing up in the area isn't really the same and becoming a father has really made me honestly assess so much about my life and what my daughters memories of childhood will be like. Tassie just ticked so many boxes, we aren't looking back! Being a photographer here is such a treat too, I’m constantly getting inspiration by my surroundings no matter where I go. 

What surprised you the most about fatherhood? 

It’s so relentless. Both the love you can feel and the tasks you now have to do. I dont think it's possible to really grasp the enormity of what having a child actually means until the time comes. I remember the first few weeks after she was born being surprised at how natural and simple everything felt. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting. During those first weeks though there was only that single focus. Once you have to go back to work and the rest of everyday life seeps into that special little bubble it's just a constant process of adding another layer on top of the next. I’ll think we’re in a groove one week then the next everything has changed and we all have to adapt.

How does your little one inspire your creativity as a photographer? 

From the moment my partner and I found out we were pregnant, my little one has inspired me to think out of the box. It was like a switch flicked and the world just had a different lens. I knew I wanted her to live a life true to herself and to not feel limited in what she can achieve. Actions speak volumes louder than words for children and for her to grow up seeing her parents making sometimes scary decisions and backing ourselves in pursuit of living a life suited to us is really something that pushes me to expand myself creatively. Pushing what I think is possible both in the general sense of creativity, but also more broadly in living life creatively. I suppose before being a father the self confidence wasn't there and it was easier to stay where I was. Now pushing myself goes so much further than me and what stronger inspiration do you need?

How do you encourage your little one to express her own creativity? 

Children are just so inherently creative it's unbelievable. I think as an adult the best thing I can do is to simply not get in the way of that creativity. When you think of it, everything you learn in life requires creativity, and kids are in a constant state of learning and absorbing so every little action is a chance to encourage that creativity. From little interactions when she's climbing rocks and gets to a tough point. I could definitely help her, but I try to give her the space and confidence to trust herself, push past the fear and work through it in a way that she has done herself. Her little face when she moves through situations like that is priceless.
“Was that scary?”
“Yeah!”
“Do you feel good after doing it?”
“Yeah!!” 

 Any words of wisdom for new dads or dads-to-be? 

I can only speak to my experience, as how we experience fatherhood will depend on so many factors. The challenges and wisdom from one father may have little relevance to another. Something that I got hung up on earlier on though, and I still catch myself doing it from time to time, was kind of looking forward to the ‘next stage’ of development because I would tell myself those traits would make things easier, and things might be smoother. The thing is each stage will come with its own benefits and challenges, plenty that you could never anticipate either, so you might as well accept that you are a parent now and for that duration there will forever be new joys and new challenges to adapt to. And don't be afraid to admit to yourself that you miss the way things were, grieve a little. It doesn't mean you love your new role and your new child any less. It just means you’re human.