Another Autumn Festival has come and gone, but despite the great atmosphere, I wasn’t quite feeling it photographically—possibly due to the harsh light or just general burnout. I still came away with a small handful of decent shots, and I’ll no doubt be back to try again next year.

A recent visit to Yarrowyck Crossing Reserve revealed just how quickly drought conditions are setting in, with the once-flowing Gwydir River reduced to a sandy bed and scattered pools of algae. The unexpected change meant fewer photos than hoped, but it offered a rare chance to walk far downstream and observe the shifting landscape. It’s an interesting transformation to witness, though not an encouraging sign for the summer ahead.

Working in event coverage often leads to experiences I wouldn’t normally seek out, like photographing Minerama in Glen Innes. What started as a simple media job turned into several hours of conversations, photos, and learning about the craft behind gemstones. I left with a heap of images and a newfound respect for the artisans who make it all possible.

With Morning Chorus wrapped, I kicked off an untitled autumn project with a test shoot on the Cascade Trail in New England National Park, and it quickly turned into one of my favourite shoots of the past two years. Shot wide open on the Canon R8 with a vintage Nikkor 85mm, the dreamlike forest light and an incredible first-time model have me convinced this project is going to be something special.

After months of waiting, Evelyn and I finally caught the Armidale Greyhound tracks in the exact light we’d been hoping for, with the sun pouring through the old Mill Bar and Grill windows. The mood completely transformed, even if we ended up winning on lighting and losing on subjects.

Mike’s annual house concert returned with great music from Jhana Allan, Alice Cotton, and newcomer Anousha Victoire, and I was lucky enough to bring my camera along. Shot on the Canon R8 with a vintage Nikon Nikkor 85mm f/1.8, mosquitoes aside, it was absolutely worth it.

I headed to Brisbane with Evelyn from Peacock Photography to finally catch Viagra Boys live, turning the trip into a full day of street photography with a 35mm manual lens. Shooting in the heat and chaos of the city pushed me well outside my comfort zone, but even with only a few standout images, it proved to be a valuable learning experience.

Just weeks into the new year, I found myself photographing something completely outside my usual wheelhouse at the Glen Innes Cup. Between the blistering high-country sun, huge crowds, and plenty of candid moments, it turned into a surprisingly fun day of people-watching, problem-solving, and making images I’m genuinely happy with.