WILD TALK

Stefan Haworth

Stefan Haworth is an action sports and adventure photographer, based in Queenstown, New Zealand. When he’s not trekking around the globe, photographing eagle hunters in Mongolia or cherry blossom season in Japan, he’s at home: camping, surfing or making his signature pepperoni and cheese toastie with 99-cent white bread. He’s an incredible photographer and always up for an adventure.

Earlier this year, Stef joined me on a trip around Tassie. We cooked under the stars, camped out at my family’s farm and stopped in on some of my favourite spots around the island. I even taught him the secret to my campfire scrambled eggs! We had a socially distanced chat to talk about food, Tassie and travel.

When did you first pick up a camera?

I got into it in high-school. To tell you the truth, I tried guitar first to impress the girls. That didn’t work so well. I also tried photography with my nerdy camera gear. That still didn’t work with the girls – but the passion for photography continued. I was a part-time photographer all throughout high school – I started with wedding and commercial photography but really figured out my true interest was adventure sports and travel.

What inspired the trip to Tassie?

I’d been following you [Sarah] for a while, thanks to photographer, Katrina Parker. I was doing a lot of outdoor cooking at the time but couldn’t learn what I wanted to know on Youtube or the internet. You answered all my questions about campfire cooking. I eventually messaged and said ‘Oi! I’m coming to stay! Can we go on an adventure or road trip or something fun?’ I was so excited to work with you but didn’t plan anything, I left it all up to you and holy heck – we went to some awesome spots I would have never found on my own.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE ON THE ISLAND?

It’s so hard to choose. I was fully fascinated by Bruny Island – I’ve always loved tiny houses and am a big fan of Aussie architecture. You’ve got a lot more warmth in Australia so it opens up a heap of opportunities for outdoor spaces. There was one place we stayed with a private beach. The house didn’t feel like a building, it felt like living on the beach. We cooked on the rocks and dined on just-caught abalone on the deck. I also loved staying out at your family farm. Camping for me has always been the bare basics but we had Harriet, the beast of a truck, who’s totally rigged out of camping. We were away from technology, just chatting about cooking, watching the stars overhead while the fire flickered out. It’s pretty cool stuff.

What was the best thing you ate?

Abalone on the beach with sea urchin butter because it wasn’t a combo I’d think to put together. I’d never tasted something like that – so basic and yet, so wonderful. So much of your cooking is simple but amazing. I guess you could say… simply amazing (Dad jokes!). Like the scrambled eggs you’ve taught me. Get the pan real hot, chuck whisked eggs in, rotates it ‘round the pan until they’re nearly cooked which tasted about 5 seconds, then flips ‘em and puts them straight on chargrilled toast. What surprised me is how short it takes to cook them, Not several minutes left alone like I normally would. Now that you’ve taught me, they taste like they’re from a restaurant and yet, anyone can do it in their backyard. I’ve told so many random people, I’m so passionate about cooking eggs now like I’ve discovered it myself: I know how to make the meanest eggs. I’ll never admit where I learn the trick! Oh, and fancy bread is key! I don’t think I’ll go back to my 99 cent bread…

WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Apart from working with you [laughs]? Not being in a mundane career I guess – being able to fund myself to live a more unique life that continually brings new experiences, each and every trip.

IF YOU WEREN’T A PHOTOGRAPHER YOU’D BE A…?

Chef. Although I prefer the eating part to the cooking part. I had zero nerves to cook for us in Tassie. On the last night, I made nachos – I thought, as long as I’ve got a ripe avocado, I’ll be sweet.

Your favourite kitchen utensil?

I’m real picky about my pans now. Prior to meeting you, I didn’t care at all. But once I got my hands on one of these Solidteknics – now I’m like ‘All other pans are crap’. My parents didn’t hear the end of it when I stayed with them for a few weeks.

Where’s next on your travel bucket list?

My backyard! Especially given this pandemic. It’s made me realise how lucky I am to be in Queenstown. Otherwise, we’ve talked about going to Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. The Indigenous culture there is unreal – you can learn so much.

Get behind the scenes in this video of our shoot

Wild talk with Stefan Haworth @stefan_haworth