As all of you know, this past Monday we’ve announced the winner of our “Tweet to win” contest. The winner was chosen randomly, by a script we’ve created, from 3748 different tweets and about 250+ tweeterers. We are thankful to all of you for being patient and waiting for our product and for following us both on Twitter and Facebook.

Here’s the winning tweet that was posted by Maree Jaeger (@MJPhotographer) on November 19.

So who is Maree Jaeger? The only way we could find out was by asking her to answer to some of our questions… and here’s the interview we took from Maree:

Your Name:
Maree Jaeger (last name is pronounce YAY GER)

Tell us about yourself?
This question is like asking tell me about the ocean! I like the ocean, the moon, the stars, dark chocolate (bit of a purist chocoholic!), books! My favourite colour is purple (all shades!). I am a bit of a geek! Love my macs , I have two children and am married to my soul mate

Where is Home?
I was born in Tasmania (Australia) so really that little island will always be my *home* home. Where ever I am that’s where my home is
I currently live in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia) and have done so for over ten years.

How did you become a photographer?
I am still becoming one!!!!!!! Both my parents were photographer’s and I used to help Dad in the darkroom from a young age. I used to love seeing the image slowly appearing- like magic. My grandmother on my dad’s side was a painter and an amazingly creative woman- she was not your “typical” grandmother  (whatever that is) and she continues to inspire me to this day. I was lucky to have had cameras from a young age. I remember taking this one photo of my sister jumping on the spot in her dressing gown outside her bedroom door. I remember trying to press the shutter at the moment when her head was at the highest point in her jump. When we got the film developed I was pretty pleased as I got the moment and it looked like she was suspended in mid air. . I won a statewide competition when I was 12, with a photo of stalactites  in a cave. I just kept taking photos and here I am.

What or who inspires you?
Life is the ultimate inspiration! Little moment’s inspire me, little nuances that people are rarely aware of on a conscious level. Nature.

What make photography a great job?
The fact that it’s not a “job” for me! I know that sounds cliched and corny but I do feel very honoured to be allowed glimpses into people’s lives. Such a privilege to connect through the medium of photography.

Define “a good photographer”:
This question makes me laugh, as I spoke about this at a business meeting recently. To see if they were listening I said that what makes a good photographer is of course
-The camera- the more expensive the better
-The lenses used-the more expensive the better
-The camera bag you have- the more expensive the better
-The number of props you have- the more the better
-The type of tripod you have
-You need really really big eyes
-Your age- you need to be around 55
I know I’m bad- but they did laugh

To me a good photographer is a person who is aware of people/surroundings and can use their camera to convey how they are see or feel about the subject that they are photographing.

Define “a good photo”:
This is different for everyone. A good photo to me is one which uses all the technical elements of photography (such as lighting, composition, timing etc) to create an image that connects in some way with the viewer, moves them in some way- makes them laugh, smile,cry, scream or shout or think.  It has to communicate something. At least that is what I think a good photo is today…

What camera and lens do you use?
I have a number of cameras and lenses. I mostly use a Canon 5DMk II- the lens depends on the situation. I use mainly primes and my favourite zoom would be the Canon 70-200mm f 2.8L IS.

Your greatest passion besides photography?
Books, poetry, writing, dark chocolate, being present in the moment,

Best compliment you’ve ever received  as a photographer?
A client, whose father passed away several months after our photo session, asked me to choose a photo of her father to put on his coffin. That was a great honour- to be entrusted with selecting that image for their family. His wife said the image I chose was him at his absolute best and it made her smile every time she looked at it.

Worst mistake you’ve made as a photographer?
I’ve made many but I guess the worst was not trusting my instincts.

What are you grateful for?
There’s nothing I am not grateful for! I am grateful for life and everything that entails! I’m grateful to win this awesome prize from proofpress! Grateful for dark chocolate,  grateful for my family and friends, grateful for everything! I really am!

What are you striving for?
I stopped striving a long time ago- I’m following the process and happy to see where that goes.

Your thoughts, something from your heart:
Dark chocolate is good..hmmm that’s not so deep is it? Best look in your own heart- there is such richness there!

Here are some photographs by Maree: