Pentax 17 Project

Josie giving a speech to a crowd about the Pentax 17 at Ted's Gallery in Sydney


I guess you could say I'm a film photographer who's a bit obsessed with the technical side of things. I love the challenge of understanding how cameras work inside and out - and this evolved into me learning how to restore and repair my own camera collection, as well as master the tools of my trade. This passion, especially for Ricoh film cameras, led me to an incredible opportunity... becoming Australia's first Pentax 17 Ambassador! 

This journey started in 2023 when I began working with the amazing team at Ricoh/Pentax. I was already a huge fan of their cameras since picking my first Ricoh KR-10M up in 2016, and my enthusiasm and technical knowledge I’ve acquired since going all in on film from 2020 onwards made a strong impression. I was eventually chosen among a handful of other artists to showcase the versatility of their newest film camera, the Pentax 17, which launched in June 2024. 

Since then, I've poured my heart and soul into creating an extensive portfolio for the Pentax 17. We're talking seven major photoshoots, dozens of rolls of film (all hand-developed, of course), and over 700 hours of work! But it's been worth every minute to capture images that truly highlight this camera's incredible capabilities. And it doesn't stop there – I'm still currently attending events, creating content and videos, and writing technical articles to share my experiences and knowledge with other film lovers in the community who are only just jumping on board this next wave of film photography.

I'm incredibly honored that my dedication and artistry continues to be recognized. I was even praised as "The best Ricoh film photographer in Australia, and possibly the world..." during an interview with Clem Kennedy which was such an honor! It’s been a privilege to showcase my work and share my insights as a guest speaker at the Pentax 17 Exhibition held by Ted's Imaging and C.R. Kennedy Imaging, and to have the opportunity to share my experiences as a Disabled Artist in the photography world. 

Looking ahead, I'm excited to continue collaborating with brands that share my love for photography and appreciate my unique blend of artistry and technical skills. I've got some really exciting projects lined up for 2026 that’ll lead me interstate once again, and I can't wait to further explore the magical world of 35mm film with Pentax/Ricoh! 

If you’d like to hear more about my experiences and learn the full story (including some unexpected challenges!) - you can read about it HERE

Hi, I'm Josie - also lovingly known as the "Ricoh Queen" by the film community!

Josie with her Pentax 17 and Ricoh Film Cameras
a close up of the Pentax 17 illuminated by pink and gold lighting

Check out some of my featured Pentax 17 film shots down below!

Diptych of a Green car, shot on the Pentax 17
Josie's brother Adrian checking out the Supra at Unmarked
A close up shot of a Toyota MR2
Nick and Mel on a couples shoot, looking lovingly into each other's eyes
Nick and Mel
Detail shots of Nick and Mel's hands, and them holding one another
A close up portrait of Akira and her fabulous makeup and self made accessories
Akira leaning on Pentax and Ricoh repair manual schematics
Akira on set, pondering over schematics and spare parts
Misa and Scorpion, under the trees at Mt Wilson
Mel looking out towards the Blue Mountains
Mel and Misa, relaxing at the park
Ruks and a Lexus, at the Fuji Launch
Corner shot of a Lexus illuminated by green RGBs
Experimenting with multi image filters on the Pentax 17
Detail shot of a car's front corner at Unmarked
Ferrari - need I say more?
Engine detail shot and 3/4 shot at Unmarked