Discover the story behind Laurene Bardsley Photography

I have always been drawn to places with history woven into their walls. Old homes, weathered timber, worn floorboards that have carried generations. When I walk into a historic building, I find myself wondering who stood in that doorway, how the rooms were used, what conversations filled the air. I often wish the walls could talk, though in their own way, they already do. You just have to pay attention.

My love for photography began quietly, long before I ever held a camera with intention. My father was a photographer who developed his images in a dark room under our house. I used to stand beside him, watching the paper slip into the bath and seeing the image appear as if it had been waiting there all along. He was also an artist and a painter, and I carry his creative curiosity with me. It shaped the way I see light, texture and the stories held in everyday details.

As a child, I loved visiting historical villages. One of my earliest memories is walking through Forbes Vintage Village, a replica town filled with old shops and objects from another time. I can still remember the scent of the old pharmacy, the rows of medicine bottles, the feeling of stepping into a world that had lived before me. That sense of wonder never left.

Today, my work is shaped by the same curiosity. I am drawn to heritage homes, thoughtful design and the quiet character of places that have been cared for. I notice details others might pass by. The way morning light rests on a windowsill. The grain of timber revived through restoration. The way a room feels when it has been styled with intention rather than decoration.

I am a thinker, often an over‑thinker, a dreamer and someone who can get carried away in imagination. I love nature, gardening, birds and the gentle reminder that we are only a small part of the environment we live in. I believe we are custodians of the land God created, and that caring for place is part of caring for each other.

Authenticity matters deeply to me. I want people to feel drawn into an image, to imagine themselves standing in the room, hearing the birds outside, sensing the warmth of the home. I photograph with the guest experience in mind, always asking how a space will be lived in, how comfort settles, how design supports the way people move through a stay.

My background in tourism has shaped my approach in ways I value. It taught me how people choose accommodation, what they look for, what makes a place memorable and how storytelling influences perception. It gave me an understanding of experience, not just aesthetics. When I photograph a property, I’m not simply documenting rooms. I’m capturing the feeling of being there, the care behind the restoration, the owner's intention, and the story the home is ready to share.

I live and breathe this work. I honour the past, celebrate thoughtful design and create imagery that helps people feel connected before they arrive. Every home has a story. I’m here to help tell it.