FIRST PERSON Photographer Tero Sade

Tasmanian photographer Tero Sade has given more than $250,000 to various charities through photography projects and donations since 2003

I am happiest when … I’m behind the camera creating images.

The last time I cried was … August last year when my mum, two sisters and I travelled to Finland to lay my dad’s ashes to rest in his birth country. It was a special time.

You wouldn’t know it but I … am dyslexic and failed school, and got turned down entry into a TAFE photography course.

I’d go to a fancy-dress ball as … umm, I have no idea. The last fancy-dress I went to was at high school and I went as the Incredible Hulk. My body was a different shape back then.

I’m obsessed by … if you asked my son, he would say I’m obsessed with work. I consider myself lucky to be able to do what I love as a career.

I’m inspired by … Arnold Newman – in my opinion, the greatest portrait photographer ever – and entrepreneurs Richard Branson and Dick Smith.

My most embarrassing moment was

… slapping what I thought was my wife Julie’s bum, until she screamed and I realised it wasn’t Julie.

I’ll never forget ... the day I won the first prize for the 2007 Wedding and Portrait Photography International awards in Las Vegas. It was totally unexpected as I threw a print into the bridal section at the last moment. As a child, I wanted to … become a film director or chef. The thing that really bugs me is … people who complain but won’t do something about it.

My worst job was … picking watermelons in 40C heat. I cycled 20km to get there at 7am to help fill three semi-trailers by hand then cycled home. My pay? $20 a day.

My favourite place is … I live in my favourite place – Tasmania. We moved here from Brisbane 11 years ago and live on a farm on the Huon River. There are times that I pinch myself to check if I’m dreaming.

I really want to … keep developing our farm, River Hills, and open a paddock-to-plate cafe/restaurant and gallery.

I can’t live without … good coffee. Life is too short for bad coffee.

My motto is … if nothing changes, nothing changes. Tero Sade is contributing to the Make a Wish Foundation this year with his book Kids of Tasmania, for which he’s taking designer portraits of children up to 15 years old in scenic locations around the state. To have your child featured in the book, the participation fee is $75 (donated to Make a Wish Foundation) and the book will cost $148. Contact Julie Sade on 6231 1300 to book a session