About Simon Bayliss

"For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.." Robert Louis Stevenson (Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes)

The Spark:

My photographic journey began over 20 years ago. A dream and a love for adventure drove me. In 2000, I left the corporate world and set off from Athens on a Triumph motorcycle. I grabbed my first digital camera, a 2.5-megapixel one, and set off on an unforgettable adventure. Over 18 months, I travelled through nine European countries and covered 32,000 km. This trip sparked my passion for photography and launched my creative career.

Photographic Pursuit:

In 2003, I went back to Australia and turned my passion into a career as a professional photographer. I explored various genres, including fashion, product, lifestyle, portrait, and landscape photography. An early mentor taught me that each genre offers unique lessons. This philosophy still guides me today.

Power of Remoteness:

My deep bond with Australia’s landscapes started in my youth. It grew between Melbourne and our family property in the Riverina region of Southern NSW. Here, I grew to love rural Australia and its waterways. My passion influenced my projects. One example is the award-winning Darling River Run for Outback NSW Tourism. It won the Tourism NSW Gold Award for Tourism Marketing. I worked on well-known routes like Corner Country Touring, Sturt's Touring Route, The Watershed Loop™, and Timber Cutters Run™.

Lust Att Resa (Wunderlust):

My work has taken me beyond Australia to New Zealand and Scandinavia. Sweden is special to me; it’s where my partner Elenor was born. The landscapes and soft light there have influenced my style. Living in Sweden for two long periods let me capture its beauty in photo essays.

The name "Red Dust Snow™" shows my journey. It starts from the red soils of Australia and ends in the snowy landscapes of Scandinavia. It represents my travels and my growth from hobbyist to seasoned professional.

Sydney Based:

In my 20-year career, I’ve worked with top tourism groups such as Destination NSW and Tourism Victoria. My images have appeared in top Australian newspapers and lifestyle magazines. This includes The Australian Financial Review and Outback Magazine.

In 2013, while living in Balmain and working in Sydney, our son Charlie was born. Missing her home, especially cups of tea with her mum, Elenor and I decided to move to Sweden. This change let me enjoy all the seasons and the culture, which sparked my creativity.

After Sweden, we left Sydney’s hustle for the quieter lifestyle of Albury-Wodonga. We wanted a better quality of life and a nurturing environment for our children.

Tree Change Challenge:

Within a year, we learned we were expecting another child, Eli. Elenor's diagnosis of aggressive breast cancer in her third trimester dimmed our joy. Eli was born early in December 2016. This allowed Elenor to start life-saving chemotherapy.

Courage, resilience, and heartbreak filled the next six years. We stood by Elenor as she battled cancer. Elenor had a double mastectomy shortly after Eli was born. But the disease came back several times and spread to her liver and brain. During this journey, Elenor underwent many treatments that affected her body and mind.

Inspirational Courage

As Elenor's health declined, I became her full-time carer while raising our two boys. This took an emotional toll, testing us in every way and reshaping our family dynamic.

In late 2022, after a brave fight, we lost Elenor. Her passing left a huge void in our lives, but her spirit inspires us daily. Her wish was to keep chasing my passions: photography, storytelling, and adventure. She wanted me to care for Charlie and Eli with love and help them connect to their Swedish heritage.

Surviving Cancer, with Kids:

As a solo parent in Albury-Wodonga, I celebrate Elenor's legacy. I embrace life’s adventures with new purpose. With Red Dust Snow™, I share stories that highlight resilience and the beauty in life’s challenges.

Our journey has not been easy, but it has taught us about strength, compassion, and the power of family bonds. The Bayliss boys are off on new adventures. They will explore Australia’s landscapes and reconnect with Scandinavia. We keep Elenor's memory alive in our hearts.

Welcome to Red Dust Snow™—our story continues here!