by Carla Caruso

Samantha Buttery is passionate about a few things: photography, painting, family, and your Park Lands.

She’s known for taking stunning snaps of our city via her Instagram account, which she launched in 2016. You can also check out her artwork, Soulful Strokes, online. Recently, we asked her a few questions to find out more about her…

*Samantha at her favourite festival, Illuminate Adelaide, which takes in Park Lands sites such as the Botanic Garden and Adelaide Zoo in Park 11, and the Festival Plaza in* ***Park 26***.

Samantha, why do you love capturing images of our state, including the Adelaide Park Lands?

I really do love where I live and enjoy exploring our beautiful state. I often park at the Torrens Weir end of the River Torrens [Karrawirra Parri] and walk to the Adelaide Botanic Garden [Park 11] and back.

I just think that Adelaide is picturesque along the river, and I love when it’s still and the reflections are a mirror image.

How did you get into photography?

My mum and dad always had a camera with them, wherever we were, and I think I got my first camera – a pink Kodak camera – when I was about 10!

I love getting out and exploring and capturing moments in time. It’s definitely downtime for me, like meditation.

What cameras and editing programs do you use?

I use my Nikon D3500 mostly – and I also have a Nikon P900 that I love to use to take photos of the moon. Its zoom is great.

I use the ViewNX program, which came with the camera, to do basic editing – just to sharpen, lighten and crop. But I always have my Oppo Find X5 Pro phone with me, and I’ve taken some shots on it that I’ve been very happy with.

*The River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri at night. Photo: Samantha Buttery.*

How often do you frequent the Adelaide Park Lands? And which park is your favourite?

I try to go to the Adelaide Botanic Garden [Park 11] every month or so. I’d say it’s my favourite with the wisteria arches, the Palm House, and the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion.

I go to the Himeji Japanese Garden [in Park 18] every season, just to see the colours change.

*The Amazon waterlily at the Botanic Garden (Park 11). Photo: Samantha Buttery.*

What keeps you busy when you’re not meandering the parks?

I work in the front office of a public school and have three adult children. I watch my son play soccer for the Western Strikers every Saturday, and I just love to walk and explore.

My husband and I like to do road trips to different parts of the state, just to see places and things we haven’t seen before.

I also enjoy acrylic painting on canvas and catching up with friends for a good laugh.

*Sunrise over the River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri. Photo: Samantha Buttery.*

Any favourite memories from your time spent in the Adelaide Park Lands?

The Illuminate Adelaide festival in the Botanic Garden! Wow, what a beautiful sight. It just transforms familiar spaces, and you feel like you are somewhere else.

It was also the last place that we had a family outing with my dad before he passed away. It always makes me think of him when I walk around the section where our family gathered around, knowing that his time was coming to an end.