Yearly Archives: 2015

Gorgeous Eyes – Sneak Peek!!!!! With the Best Prop Award Going to Me!!!

Had the opportunity yesterday to photograph a new Canberra model to which I am grateful for not only her giving up her time but also once again Felicity the make-up artist who is always there to help me out and without her help and expertise.

There is a saying that eyes are the windows to the soul and is a portrait photographer is something I believe. I look into the eyes of the people I photograph on each them has a story, a story to which some are happy to tell and some are not.

When I saw photograph of Abby one of the things that struck me with her gorgeous eyes and how they drew the viewer in. She also has what I would think a unique facial structure that compliments her eyes and the shape of her eyes and it was for this reason that I was super keen to capture this and I must say the photos we have do actually do her eyes and a shape justice.

How can such gorgeous eyes be so sinister
How can such gorgeous eyes be so sinister

We spent the first half of the session in studio getting head shots and capturing the essence of who Abby is in the vision which I saw in her eyes.

Gorgeous eyes
Gorgeous eyes

Second half of the photo shoot we were using gorilla shooting techniques, where we will pull up on location with portable studio lighting and speedlites to capture a few shots and then will back in the car again.

One of the locations we stopped at was next to a farm and the reason why we selected this location was because of the long road that led up into the hills however after cracking off a few shots, we noticed in the background a biplane was preparing to take off.

It travelled down the makeshift runway on the farmer’s property to pull in just behind where Abby was standing and I must say I couldn’t have been more excited. To have such a prop appear out of nowhere and considering how she was dressed it was just photo gods were shining on us.

The only reason why we could get the shot was because of the gorilla techniques we were using and I had Anthony Caffery as my assistant holding the light so we could move and adjust rapidly to capture anything that was going to happen…. I just wasn’t really expecting a biplane!!! 🙂

Going to no expense in getting a biplane as a prop
Going to no expense in getting a biplane as a prop

We finished the rest of the photo shoot off in and around the Tuggeranong hyperdome where I think we captured some really interesting photos, some you will just have to wait a while to see.

Red Bull Finalist Photos – Jack Smith winning longest airtime in Australia!

As one of Red Bull contracted official photographers I am under some contract as to when and where I can show my photos, and because of that most of them I might not be able to display the for a few years, however……..  I can share these two images with you now…  YAY!!!!!

Below are two images that captured here in Canberra covering Red Bull paper wings event, this event is open to a worldwide audience of competitors with the top people in the category flying to Austria the Red Bull Paper Wings World Final, which just happens to start tomorrow on 9 April 2015.

The gentleman throwing the plane is Jack Smith. Jack was able to secure his seat at the world finals in the category of the longest airtime with this flight of 9.3 seconds.

I spent the day photographing lots of competitors that day and I must say Jack spent a considerable amount of time shaping, making, adjusting and perfecting his aircraft. He was always in the background test flying and fixing his little paper plane, so if anyone was going to win it, it was going to be him. Go Jack you good thing!!!

Jack Smith throwing his paper plane for the chance to go to the world finals in Austria.
Jack Smith throwing his paper plane for the chance to go to the world finals in Austria.

At the end of the day the winner received a really big boarding pass with 20,000 frequent flyer points which I must say it the biggest boarding pass I have ever seen…. lol

As Jack was one of the winner on the day I organised use to shoot him out side along with the ladies from Red Bull, so that I could not only have better lighting than in a hall but it allowed me to incorporate the building and the really flash Red Bull car in the shot. Oh by the little Red Bull car has an esky in the back full of Red Bull!!!! Well it did when I started my day….. Not so much at the end… 😉

Jack Smith showing off his winning plane that allowed him to win the longest airtime in Australia with 9.3 seconds
Jack Smith showing off his winning plane that allowed him to win the longest airtime in Australia with 9.3 seconds

One thing I can say about photographing for Red Bull is that the people were fantastic, full of enthusiasm and keen to help out whereever they can…………. and there was no shortage of Red Bull to keep this little event photographer running around like a crazy man. lol

If you want to see my photos up in lights check out the link below. 🙂

http://www.redbullpaperwings.com/Countries/Australia/News/Announcement_The_Australian_Winners_are.html

Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT Candlelight Ceremony

Last night I was the official event photographer for what was a sombre and reflective candle ceremony domestic violence crisis services of the ACT.

This ceremony was to remember the lives lost to domestic violence to which 64 women, 11 men and two children were linked to family violence in the ACT since 1998.

While the night was quite chilly and cold it attracted hundreds of Canberrans that have either been affected directly or indirectly. It was really nice to see him very touching and with the ACT Women’s Minister Yvette Berry on hand to do a speech it was good to see political backing for what is a very serious subject.

ACT firefighters showing their solidarity and support
ACT firefighters showing their solidarity and support

 

Some of the people that attended looking on at the candles situated on stage 88
Some of the people that attended looking on at the candles situated on stage 88

 

The speakers for the night which included ACT Women's Minister Yvette Berry
The speakers for the night which included ACT Women’s Minister Yvette Berry

 

The lighting of the main candles by ACT Women's Minister Yvette Berry
The lighting of the main candles by ACT Women’s Minister Yvette Berry

 

One of the speakers addressing the audience
One of the speakers addressing the audience

 

One of the speakers addressing the audience
One of the speakers addressing the audience

 

One of the speakers addressing the audience
One of the speakers addressing the audience

 

ACT Women's Minister Yvette Berry giving a speech
ACT Women’s Minister Yvette Berry giving a speech

 

ACT Women's Minister Yvette Berry giving a speech
ACT Women’s Minister Yvette Berry giving a speech

 

Reading a poem
Reading a poem
ACT police there to support an important cause
ACT police there to support an important cause

 

The different colours of the candles represent the different lives that have been lost
The different colours of the candles represent the different lives that have been lost

 

One of the many males that attended such an important event
One of the many males that attended such an important event

 

Sombre crowd looking on as the speakers address the audience
Sombre crowd looking on as the speakers address the audience

 

The bagpiper with the speakers standing for a minute's silence
The bagpiper with the speakers standing for a minute’s silence
ACT police bagpiper
ACT police bagpiper

 

The main candles
The main candles

 

The main candles
The main candles

 

One of the attendees capturing the main candles at the end of the ceremony
One of the attendees capturing the main candles at the end of the ceremony

Ronald McDonald house charity – Gala Ball

What a fantastic evening the Ronald McDonald house charity gala ball was!

The people were fantastic, the entertainment was awesome and the money raised was outstanding!!

Photos of now been all processed up my website to be viewed and purchased. Simply click online shop link from the menu on the left.

If you volunteered for this event feel free to contact me and I’ll give you a complimentary copy of the group photo below.

Volunteers at the Ronald McDonald house charity gala ball with Ronald McDonald himself
Volunteers at the Ronald McDonald house charity gala ball with Ronald McDonald himself

Being an event photographer does have its perks as you get to meet a wide range of people and people which you would not normally have contact with. And in this case it was Erin Molan from the footy show as she was the MC for the evening.

Ronald McDonald house charity with Melissa Gelonese, Erin Molan and Brendan Maunder (aka me)
Ronald McDonald house charity with Melissa Gelonese, Erin Molan and Brendan Maunder (aka me)
Erin Molan as the MC
Erin Molan as the MC

The event was of course sponsored by many people and in this case the major sponsor was Lexus of Canberra so while people were getting their seats men Ronald took the opportunity to get some photos in and around the Lexus vehicles that were in the main foyer.

Ronald McDonald standing alongside a Lexus
Ronald McDonald standing alongside a Lexus

With any gala ball there is always performance to entertain the guests while they eat dinner and this gala ball was no exception.

The have wonderful performance from The Emeralds which are the official cheerleaders for the Canberra Raiders.

The Emeralds - the official cheer squad for the Canberra Raiders performing at the Ronald McDonald house gala ball
The Emeralds – the official cheer squad for the Canberra Raiders performing at the Ronald McDonald house gala ball
Me catching up some of the ladies from The Emeralds
Me catching up some of the ladies from The Emeralds

And this was followed on by some official speeches and a gentlemen that can only be referred to as a speed painter. He would put up a blank canvas and within a couple of minutes would paint some really amazing pictures at the best part is he would do it while the canvas was upside down.

Official speeches
Official speeches
Speed painter doing his thing
Speed painter doing his thing
Up upside down Miss Jane
Up upside down Miss Jane
Lexus of Canberra claiming this speed paining
Lexus of Canberra claiming this speed paining

With some additional fundraising the evening cracked on with the Michael Jackson tribute band which really got the party going as the dance floor filled up quicker than a green pint on St Patrick’s Day. 🙂

Michael Jackson tribute group
Michael Jackson tribute group
One of the Thriller dances
One of the Thriller dances
Doing your thang Michael
Doing your thang Michael
One of the backup dancers
One of the backup dancers

To which the evening’s entertainment ended with a cover band from Melbourne.

Belting out one of her fantastic tunes
Belting out one of her fantastic tunes
The crowd was going off like a frog in a sock
The crowd was going off like a frog in a sock
The view from one of the tables
The view from one of the tables
The freedom of a performer
The freedom of a performer

All in all everyone had a fantastic night and there raised something like $400,000 for the evening which is fantastic.

The night ended with Lexus of Canberra giving away a car in a raffle to which Anthony Minichiello drew the winning ticket.

One of Australia's rugby league greats, Anthony Minichiello picking the winning ticket for the Lexus Canberra car raffle
One of Australia’s rugby league greats, Anthony Minichiello picking the winning ticket for the Lexus Canberra car raffle

Bloody Ronald McDonald!!!!

What is that saying about working with kids and animals?????  I think you need to add Ronald McDonald to the list… ha ha ha ha

Working through my photos from last nights Ronald McDonald House Charities Lexus of Canberra Gala Ball held here in Canberra at The National Convention Center I came across this photos and couldnt help but share!!!!

I can now tick off “Get Photobombed by Ronald McDonald while shooting one of rugby leagues top cheerleading squads, The Emeralds” from my Top 10 things I need to do as a professional event photographer list…. bwhahahahaha

Here I was just clicking away and Ronald McDonald comes out of nowhere!!!!!!  BAM!!!!!!!

I love Ronald McDonald….  😉

Ronald McDonald Photobombing a shoot with The Emeralds cheerleader squad for the Canberra Raiders at the Ronald McDonald House Charities Lexus of Canberra Gala Ball held here in Canberra at The National Convention Center
Ronald McDonald Photobombing a shoot with The Emeralds cheerleader squad for the Canberra Raiders at the Ronald McDonald House Charities Lexus of Canberra Gala Ball held here in Canberra at The National Convention Center