History of Neethling Photographic

Two photographs of The Garibaldi Inn of Hunter's Hill. The Nineteenth Century Photograph (photographer unknown) shows the building used as it was originally intended . The second photograph, taken in August 2005, shows the home of Neethling Photographic.

The Neethling part of the name

Neethling Photographic is a new company with a long history. Its owners are Kerry and Siebert Neethling. Neethling (originally Netheling) is an old German surname from the Brandenburg district close to Berlin. Many generations after the first Neethlings moved to the colonies Siebert and Kerry immigrated to Australia with their sons James and Alex. They live in Hunter’s Hill.

The Photographic part of the name

Kerry developed an interest in photography at an early age. She completed a degree in marketing and worked as an entrepreneurship skills trainer before turning her passion for photographing people into a business. She quickly established an excellent reputation as a skilful, creative photographer with an ability to get the best out of even shy adults and difficult babies.

Siebert also loved photography. In the mid-1970s his father bought a second-hand Pentax Spotmatic F 35mm camera. This camera now hangs on the studio wall. His son took a very keen interest and learned about aperture and shutter speeds photographing school sporting events, motorbikes and flowers. While studying psychology, philosophy and literature at university his interest in photography grew and after completing a postgraduate degree he travelled in Europe and worked in a photographic studio in London in 1989. He later studied business and is a management consultant and author, and assists Kerry with business and systems decisions.

The first Neethling-owned studio opened in the 1990s and specialised in child and family photography. It was called Starshine Photography and was sold when the family moved to Sydney.

Neethling Photographic today

Neethling Photographic offers a broad range of photographic services including tabletop work, art, architecture and portraiture. Technical excellence is a prerequisite for all our work, but when it comes to portraits there is an added dimension. We combine a love of the photographic image with a love for people. So much of the art of portrait photography lies in the ability to capture a moment of our true humanity on film.

We work hard to make the experience of having a portrait or family photograph taken a pleasant event with as little stress as possible.

Years from now people will look at our photographs and remember their youth or a special time in their lives. Decades, even centuries from now, the images we capture will remind future generations of their ancestors.

We like that.

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