Polo Club

I shot my first gig for Tone Deaf over the weekend, and it was, erm, different. HA! Let's just say I've never willingly sat through 3 hip hop sets... By the end of the evening I wouldn't exactly call myself a hip hop fan, but I did have a great time. Polo Club were energetic and entertaining and a lot of fun to shoot.

Here are my favourite shots of the evening.

And the full gallery in up at Tone Deaf which you can find here: Polo Club Gallery

how did he get so big?

He's 8 now. I can hardly believe it. The tiny little human that made me a mother is now a grade 2 boy. Technically a tween a guess. But I actually refuse to believe that. To me he is still my innocent young boy child. Who wonders at the world's mysteries, is not yet jaded by life's more bitter moments. Is curious and wonderful and has an intellect way beyond his years. Is growing into a gorgeous human being who is sensitive and caring and competitive and funny and a complete goon. Who cried floods of tears today because the lollipop man was retiring from his school. Who cherishes his friendships and his family and football.

He is mine. I made him and he made me. And that makes me luckier than any tattslotto winner.

While we were shooting in the reserve behind our house we came upon our resident mob of kangas. They usually let us get pretty close and this day was no exception. I never get sick of seeing them behind our back fence. Never.

The Superjesus

A couple of weeks ago I tagged along with a friend (read, pleaded him to let me shoot with him ha!) to shoot The Superjesus during their recent reunion tour.

It was a fun night, great crowd and atmosphere, cold beer (in a VERY warm Gershwin Room at the Espy) and Sarah McLeod is one enigmatic and dynamic frontwoman. They played all the singalong faves and the punters seem to thoroughly enjoy the reunion of an Aussie institution.

Thanks Sime for letting me shoot with you. Let's do it again soon, ok? x

pink/punk princess

That's my girl. Of course she's been casually and subtly guided down a music loving path, choosing offbeat fashion and not caring about looking/acting different. Not that she is different - she's pretty much the same as her little kinder friends - into pink and fairies and princesses. But she also loves playing zombies and ninjas with the boys, headbanging to music in the back of the car (fast and noisy is her musical preference), and if she doesn't like what you have to say then you'll well and truly know about it.

When she grows up she wants to be a rock star, a princess and a shark.

One day I decided that I'd had quite enough of the Disney princesses getting a run in my house so I introduced her to She-ra Princess of Power and I think she's watched it every day since. She carries a toy sword around in the back of her jumper.

So when I came home with some temporary hair chalks in every colour of the rainbow she was most excited to try them in her hair. Because rock stars have cool hair and she's gonna be a rock star like Dave Grohl one day you know - one who plays drums and guitar and sings.

This kid. Seriously. She smashes my heart into bits.

drowning

After 3 or more weeks of interrupted sleep, caused by a bit of anxiety, some self reflection as well as the excitement of music/skating/adventures, I'm about to crash. This morning I actually forgot what time Ivy was supposed to start kinder and then we were half an hour late. No big deal the teacher reassured me, but I knew it was a sign that I need  to take better care of myself. Start eating better again, and try and get some decent sleep. I don't know how to do that, maybe listen to rainforest music at bed time, who knows? Or maybe I just need to sort my shit out.

This was really not a fun shoot, for anyone who's thinking of trying it. My head is now swimming with bath water, my eyes hurt, my ears are splashy and I have a ton of water up my nose that, for some reason, smells like beetroot.

GRINSPOON!!!!!!!!!!!!

3rd time's a charm huh? My 3rd proper music shoot was last night and it was Grinspoon and that makes me so happy I don't even have the words to explain it. I was going to the gig last night as a fan anyway, as I've loved their music since I was in my late teens/early 20s. And I wasn't going to miss their comeback tour. Being able to photograph it was like a little dream come true - to photograph a band that I admire - just wow. My friend Simon told me he had a similar feeling when he shot Alice in Chains many moons ago (admittedly AIC are slightly more awe-inspiring than the Grinners - even I can admit that), he couldn't believe they were right there, and for a time he forgot to even shoot and just let it all wash over him. When he told me that story last year I was completely awestruck and I knew I wanted that feeling. And even though Grinspoon are just an Aussie band that most music fans in this country have seen at least once it was still amazing.

Next stop, Pearl Jam. Hahahaha. Dream on.

Anyway, enough gushing. Here are some of my shots from last night. Full gallery is up on FasterLouder HERE.

Cat Power @ The Forum Melbourne

A couple of weeks ago I was given the amazing opportunity to photograph Cat Power for FasterLouder. It was a last minute thing, so my gear wasn't all that up to scratch (no time to hire) but I was relatively happy with what I shot. I felt very privileged to be close to Chan (and I was super close!), she is a very talented woman.

Here are just a couple of images.

And the link to the full gallery is HERE.

And not only that, Chan herself liked my photo on instagram. Heheh. Cool.

pretty noose

Diamond rope silver chain 

Pretty noose sells pretty pain 

And I don't like what you got me hanging from

(Pretty Noose, Soundgarden)

 ------------------------

Music lyrics have always sucker punched me, but I find it amazing that even after loving a song for nearly 2 decades (holy hell, I'm getting old!) I can still find new things to admire in a song, still be inspired and still be shocked by the meanings of words as lyrics/poetry. And finding new meaning depending on my mood.

I seem to have picked up my selfies project from a little while ago. I'll see if I can maintain some kind of enthusiasm for it, it's been a long time since I've felt vaguely interested in picking up my camera. Sometimes it's easier to create an image than think of the right words I think.

*** disclaimer for parentals and anyone else freaking the fuck out that I have a noose around my neck: this is a composite of about 4 or 5 images and some crafty photoshop work. Yes there was a rope around my neck but it wasn't tight so chill. :-p

Getting fit

For the longest time, as long as I can remember, I've had body issues. Self esteem issues. Perfectionism issues. I went through high school being picked on for being ugly, having no boobs, having a weird chin, being too skinny and too tall, and generally being a weird looking unit. When I hit my late teens and found that I had freedom to express myself and my body in ways I'd never been able to do before I wasn't sure what to do with it. I was weird looking, so I didn't want to flaunt my body, but I was thin so knew that was a good thing (right?), so I was left confused and utterly bewildered about where I fit in the scheme of attractiveness. So I kind of didn't bother. I went through my teens and 20s really not caring about any of that, or trying not to care anyway.

Then in my 30s it dawned on me that I'm never going to be this young (and thin) ever again. Der. After 2 kids, some health issues and the loss of a friend I realised that I was losing my "youth" (what was left of it), and decided to kick the middle age spread in the arse.

This summer I wore a bikini without boardshorts in public for the first time since I was a teenager. I've started wearing shorter skirts. I'm coming to terms with the fact that I have no boobs, but that's kinda ok.

Then, just 4 weeks ago, I did something I've wanted to do for a long time but didn't have the health capacity or the energy to do it... I started roller derby. I'm not very good at it yet, but I seem to have a natural flair for it. I'm learning new things every single time I skate. I'm excited about going, being part of the club and coming home after sessions puffed out, sweaty and entirely unglamorous.

I'm getting fitter every time I go. My legs are getting stronger, and my thighs less wobbly. My upper body and core strength is improving and I'm seeing abs for the first time in about 10 years. I'm losing the softness that I'd come to accept as part of getting older. I'm wearing tights to skating and not feeling embarrassed. I don't know if I'm finally growing up, or what, but I feel good. It turns out the only motivator I needed to exercise was finding something I liked and was good at - not what everyone else was doing.

If I have only a few more years of being able to get away with short skirts and singlet tops, then I'm gonna go out feeling good about myself. No more insecurity. This is me, version 2.0

Manic week of awesomeness

This week just gone has been amazing:

* I photographed my first dirty pub gig, and I got squashed, bruised, other people's sweat on me, and I freaking loved it.
* I saw Garbage at the Forum here in Melbourne and then proceeded to hang out with the guitarist Duke Erikson for several hours afterwards, and meet and converse with Butch Vig.
* I then went to Soundwave yesterday and was front row on the barrier for Garbage and scored a setlist for my dancing, singing, crazy escapades. Also managed to get close to the god of music Mike Patton and his band Tomahawk, which was a bit mental. Saw plenty of other bands yesterday but those were my highlights.

So much awesome in only 4 days. It's safe to say I'm completely exhausted! But happy. So happy.

Enjoy some photos. First up, Fucked Up at the Prince of Wales on Tuesday:

You can see the full gallery at Faster Louder (who I was shooting for) here: Fucked Up

Here is a couple of my favourite images from the night, from the band O'Brother:

Massive thanks to my friend Simon who leant me some gear and a lot of moral support. Thanks Sime, you're a legend. x

Next some Instagram photos of my manic week!

Edit: my little sister sent me this photo of us hanging out with Duke. Thought I should post it here, seeing as it was part of my awesome week! As well as his autograph which I made him write for me (fangirl!)!!