In the media I talked of Looker’s winning work as ‘an enchanting and mysterious scene that pushes the boundaries of portraiture.’ In a successful public event following the opening of the NPPP 2016 Prize, Looker contributed insightfully to the panel discussion on storytelling and photography. Looker has a particular eye, approach and style, bringing a refreshingly free imagination to photographic portraiture. Her creative sensibility, artistic discipline and powers of acute observation allow her to explore concepts and test boundaries within the form and genre in captivating ways.
Penny Grist, curator, National Portrait Gallery
Your pictures resonated with me (as you might suspect) and especially 2 of them—the dancing girl in the brilliant dress, arms akimbo, and perhaps the same girl in the tree, same dress too? Oh, and the baby with the twitching fingers. That one, too.
Really nice work. Keep doing it.
Sally Mann, photographer
When I look at these (her) photographs, overwhelming emotion washes through me. Liz Looker is a photographer I have admired for a long time. She searches for the truth, for the purest moment, for something real. As we live in a time when so many images are altered digitally to reveal the seemingly perfect picture - it is Liz who bucks against this notion in a captivatingly raw and honest way through her visual perspective. Liz allows us to trust that the imperfections are in fact what makes us beautiful and unique as human beings. When she sent me her recent images within this exhibition THE SPIRIT AND THE FLESH, I was absolutely awestruck. To me these photographs capture the feeling of Life. The fleeting moment - an image - the capture - one click - the blink of an eye - 1 mm of a second in which we are pulsing on this planet. A brief suspension. Liz explained that she photographed these subjects to observe the human form without judgment. It is an emotional feeling to see the human body suspended in darkness, in this void, and in such a spectacularly poetic way. The Spirit commands our attention; resists, leaps, twists, soars. Her images fill me with renewed gratitude. For my own form. My own spirit. They cause me to reflect on my own judgement of my own vessel. Liz commands us to pause and to wonder and to marvel at the miracle - the profound occasion of life.
Kate Bosworth, actress, producer
Elizabeth Looker - What words can never fully fulfil are the moments she captures in film. A moment, a thought, a rare and beautiful glimpse into a heart and a mind and a spirit. She clicks with the ease of a ballerina in motion, embracing the subject in warmth and tenderness. Allowing at every moment the subject to be honest and free. With the purest of grace and technicality of the greatest masters of modern photography, she captures a rawness, in her eye, through light and shadow, untouched by the spoils of re-touch, a purist who is deeply cemented in the earth of today. A pure delight and inspiration of everything magical which often feels like a lost memory.
Toni Maticevski, MATICEVSKI
I met Liz about 15 years ago, and was introduced to her work at that time. I was inspired by the way she captured a special light in her subjects. She was making pictures that had their own identity and were personal. They stood out from the other work that I was familiar with seeing in Australia at that time.
Liz has a profound acuity of perception that reveals to her the beauty in all things. This she shares with us through her work. Her sensitivity to the beauty of the human experience makes her imagery utterly breathtaking. In her images, there is a delightful tension between ease and unease, banality and romanticism, light and dark. I truly believe that she is an artist worth supporting and celebrating.
Nick Hudson, photographer
Elizabeth Looker's 8 Months and on the Porch is a more harmonious balance: the unselfconscious but spontaneously joyful stretching of the naked pregnant body captured and abstracted at the same time by the strong tonal contrasts of the black and white image, sympathy and detachment in a happy equilibrium.
Christopher Allen, art historian and critic, The Australian, on Liz's prize winning portrait in the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize
I was first introduced to the work of photographer Liz Looker when a new portrait was installed in our office. The subject was a pregnant woman, a nude pregnant woman, which the artist had captured in an unapologetic moment of femininity and transformation. For an office filled with people all working to tackle and measure problems that face our local, national and international communities it seemed fitting. As I looked up at her I was struck by the immense power of women, and thought, “Yes, this makes sense. Everything in life seems to start and end with strong women.’
Grace Forrest, Walk Free Foundation
Liz is one of the most interesting, and interested people I know. And this is why her photographs are so penetrating: she doesn’t just love to shoot - she always finds out how to love her subjects first.
Richard Berney, Executive Creative Director, 303 Mullen Lowe
From the first email, working with Liz has truly been a pleasure. Before the wedding, she was everything a planner could have asked for; responsive, excited and always available to lend a helping hand. On the wedding weekend, Liz had a brilliant way of casting a sense of peacefulness and ease - she moves around so gracefully and in the end, she captures true art. The photos Liz produced are some of the best I have ever seen - I want to line the walls of my own home with them - they are truly special and a forever gift. The emotion, the setting and the personality truly shine through no matter how diverse the events are - they are all true to themselves. I could go on and on but note, when hiring Liz, you aren’t just hiring a photographer, you are hiring a real teammate and one that will make you so very proud of what you and others have created. It’s my honor and privilege to recommend her.
Alexis Spooner, Creative Director, Willow and Oak Events
As a creative couple, we had a clear idea of what we were looking for (and not looking for) in a photographer. We prioritized someone whose artist identity is rooted in authentically capturing moments and energy, not specifically weddings. We hired Liz without meeting her, but based on her work: her understanding of light, celebration of movement, and experimental portraits. The moment we met Liz we knew it was meant to be. Liz brings an incredible, infectious joy to her work, and thus moments with you. Her images capture the essence of every moment and are filled with raw emotion, energy, and beauty.
We had high expectations of Liz and her images. It’s hard to articulate the dimensions in which she exceeded these expectations: the additional images she captured, the extra hours she committed, and most of all, the incredible spirit she brought into our weekend. The images she creates are an intersection of these two gifts: understanding her subjects and fostering an energy that allows them to be authentically themselves. As a result, we have photographs that capture not just the weekend, but our emotion: joy, excitement, and love.
You learn a lot throughout the wedding planning process only to seemingly never need to reuse this knowledge. One of the most important learnings is to surround yourself with vendors that contribute to the energy you want to have for the special day—a gift Liz contributed to our day two-fold.
Sarah and Albert
We were thrilled to have Liz shoot our wedding on NYE. I didn’t want posed wedding photographs and was familiar with Liz’s creative work in the fashion sphere. We wanted something authentic; a more natural representation of the occasion. It was a match made in wedding heaven… she really captured the spirit of the moment, and half the time we didn’t even realise she was there working her magic. She has a lovely way about her; a calm and peaceful energy, and is such a delight to be around. Liz has since taken some family portraits for us which we adore. They too demonstrate her mastery of light, movement, charm and ‘realness'. I couldn’t recommend her more highly in either domain.
Missy Kutcher
The whole experience I found cathartic. It was as though I could finally reflect upon what I have achieved as a mother, a wife and most importantly, as a woman. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart for your pictures.
Somehow you have managed to find the perfectly, imperfect version of each of us.
I will be able to forever look back and remember what it felt like to be me at that very moment in time.
What a gift.
Billie Georgieff
Liz never fails at capturing the true essence of her subject. There is something a little bit magical in the way she looks at light and how it amplifies whatever she is shooting. People feel at ease around her and I always trust she will add an extra something to our work.
Melissa Radman, Design Director, Meerkats
Liz is a beautiful soul. Her mentoring is a one of a kind session that allows you to look deeper within your work and yourself. It opens up another dimension and allows you to explore your vision for your own photography journey. Liz gave honest feedback on my images and exposed a different way of thinking for myself to draw deeper in to the subject and storytelling of an image. Her words stayed with me long after the session and she has also provided notes and personal projects to allow for continued growth. A highly recommended experience!
Merrisa McDougall, photographer
There is a candid beauty in Liz’s work that elevates the everyday to art. We are so grateful to have had our first family portraits taken by Liz - she made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera and we have beautiful photos to treasure.
Sarah Levitt, Scape by S
When I was looking for a wedding photographer I didn't want the ‘typical’ wedding photos where so often they can look forced and unnatural. I wanted our photos to reflect real emotions and real love in the room. I looked high and low for a photographer and no one jumped out at me until I came across Liz. I could see the emotion in her photos. They were real. They were not forced or unnatural. From the moment I met her we connected and we understood each other. On the day she made us feel so comfortable and relaxed. The photos are beautiful. They are a perfect reflection of the day. They are unique and different. They are real. They show the love and happiness we felt on the day. I’m so thankful we met Liz and that she shared our day with us.
Taryn Campbell, bride
We were introduced to Liz by our wedding planner and, whilst it sounds cliched, it was the best recommendation we received. From the outset we were clear in our minds that we wanted a photographer that would focus on natural and authentic moments from our wedding day, rather than stage managed shots. Liz captured this perfectly, and her photos provide such vivid memories of the day and the people we share it with. Liz’s photos allow us to not only remember every moment, but convey a sense of emotion and atmosphere that far exceeds our expectations. We can’t wait for Liz to capture more moments of our lives together, and couldn’t recommend her more.
Adele & George Salter, bride and groom