Miss & Mr Alternative bills itself as ‘Australia’s Most Exciting Alternative Model Competition’ and this is certainly a title it clearly lives up to.

I was honoured to be asked to be one of the official photographers for the event so I was keenly anticipating the night for a few weeks even if I have had an incredibly busy past few days shooting a slab of gigs. Still, when an opportunity presents itself, one should jump at the chance without a moment’s hesitation!

The Victorian Heat was held at Melbourne’s DV8 venue and attracted a variety of people from every alternative subculture. Which is kinda what makes these events so much fun as more often than not, the people in the crowd are just as entertaining as the ones on stage!

I arrived at the venue a little before 9.30pm as was instructed. It’s nice getting into a venue early as it gives you a chance to acclimatize and get all you need nice and ready. I enjoy doing catwalk photography as I have shot previous alternative events such as Circa Nocturna and Worn Wild on numerous occasions. They’re always a fun night.

The night was divided into two halves. First up, the Mr Alternative portion of the event kicked things off. For the Melbourne heat, there were four entrants all diverse and alternative and uniquely different to each other.

Entertaining the crowd at the half-way point was Michael Yule. I thought Michael was a wonderful singer with a superb voice and some great tunes. I’d definitely like to hear more of his stuff in the future.

After Michael’s set, it was time for the Miss Alternative contestants to strut their stuff. Just like their male counterparts, the girls were all unique and represented a diverse range of the alternative culture. All the girls were wonderful and worthy winners in their own right.

A great night for all!

Visit the Miss Alternative website for more info and whilst you are there, please vote for my cat Luci in the pet category!

Circa Nocturna is always an exciting time of the year. It brands itself as Melbourne’s Premier Alternative Fashion Parade and it lives up to this image of itself time and time again.

Each and every year, Circa Nocturna allows some of the country’s sub-culture designers shine and sparkle on the catwalk of the pristine and beautiful Fitzroy Town Hall.

I have been fortunate enough to attend the last four events and I was saddened to learn that tonight’s gala was to be the final event in this format.

With that in mind, I wanted to be a part of it again and I was granted a photo-pass to shoot tonight’s show.

As last year’s event sold out in the blink of an eye, this year’s event featured two performances with a matinee show scheduled at 4pm and the usual evening performance at 8.

It is always a sight to see the dark minions of Melbourne descend upon the urban niceties of such an inner city suburb. The look on the local’s faces – who in Fitzroy, have surely seen it all – is as amusing as it is priceless!

Featuring designs from Beserk (my personal favourite), Clockwork Butterfly, Elysium Couture, Emile Gray, Harpi, John & Betty and Vicious Klothing to name but a few – Circa Nocturna celebrates and glorifies those who dare to live their lives on the alternative edge.

Once again, without fail, it proved to be a magical night of fashion, music and inspirational design. Meticulously organised and atmospherically so much fun.

Thank you to all the Circa Nocturna crew and to the enchanting Rachael Blakemore for her kindness and hospitality.

Under a burning Melbourne sun that seemed to scorch all in its path this weekend, I attended the Rites of Passage Festival at the Royal Exhibition Building.

From the get go, the event was beautifully organised and there was an incredibly vast bill of all sorts of entertainment, fashion, art, culture, characters and of course – a lot of tattoos!

Check out some of the photos from the event.

Having attended the past two Circa Nocturna events in 2009 and 2008, I was eagerly awaiting for this year’s gala to arrive and this time, shooting on an official capacity. The past couple of years I have only been in the audience with my camera and have had restricted view etc. It was hard to get a decent shot.

This year, I was granted an official pass and boy, was it a ton of fun shooting at this amazing event.

Held annually at the gorgeous Fitzroy Town Hall, resplendent in all its gothic charm and glory it proved to be very difficult to get additional tickets to the event as it had sold out. I was so bummed out about this as I couldn’t get a ticket for my girlfriend and I felt guilty as hell going to the event, and having to leave her home. It wasn’t the same without her but alas, the show must go on.

Having survived the tremendous storms that hit Melbourne this afternoon – an ominous, sinister mood had enveloped this city and kinda an appropriate setting for tonight’s event where all the creatures of the night come out to play.

All romantic gothic notions aside, it was going to be quite a trek to get to the other side of town in one piece.

A sea of black leather, spandex, latex, rubber was ascending up the stairs of the Fitzroy Town Hall and I found my photopass awaiting me as I arrived.

I positioned myself amongst my fellow photogs and used the time before the show to get acclimatised with the venue and the somewhat, sombre, dim lighting.

I think I was the only shooter there who shot without a flash (can’t stand using flash at the best of times) – but I set my camera up to use as much of the light available as I could. I prefer the rich, warm tones and color of non-flash shooting and I was pretty pleased with tonight’s results.

All in all, a magnificent night and one that seems to be growing with every passing year.

It’s always a treat getting to shoot a band you absolutely adore! Having been a huge H.I.M fan for quite a few years now, I was greatly anticipating the opportunity to photograph these guys.

Which is saying something. Earlier in the day I won a pass to go and see the incredible Faith No More but I surrendered that ticket to my cousin. Couple that with the fact that also, Meshuggah were doing a show elsewhere – I decided to stick with Ville and the boys and finally get to photograph this truly incredible band.

From the outset, The Hifi Bar was packed to the rafters. I was there about an hour early, made my way to the photo-pit and just could not believe the heat inside this place.

A hot night for rock and roll!

I shot tonight totally with my new 70-200mm – wanting to put it through the ringer and see what I could achieve with it. Granted, I am missing the hell out of my 24-105mm lens which is still getting repaired – but I thought it would be a good challenge to see what this new baby could do. I was pleased with the results. Even without the IS (Image Stablization) I managed to get some good, crisp, sharp results. I also fiddled around with my White Balance tonight and was trying for a more warm, ambient atmosphere.

I didn’t stay past my allotted three song limit in the photo-pit but as far as I could tell, it was proving to be a pretty raucous and fun gig. I’m sure the packed Hifi Bar had themselves a great night tonight.

And as much as I love the band, I was more concerned with my photos to worry about anything else…

I feel like a dog chasing its very own tail at times. The chase for a photo-pass to the Horrors’ Corner Hotel gig came down to the wire – and very well never materialized!

On the actual day of the gig, I thought I wasn’t going to be able to shoot these guys as no official confirmation had been forthcoming so it was an anxious day as I waited for my Inbox to sound that old familiar chime – and for confirmation to arrive.

Arrive it did. The obligatory “3 songs, no flash” edict was there as was an escorted exit out of the venue upon completion of those 3 songs.

And of course, just as my Horrors accreditation arrived so did one for the Fear Factory gig over at the Prince Bandroom across the other side of town. Same night. Same times.

Now, if only I could be at two places at once hey?

I decided to do The Horrors.

Arriving at the Corner Hotel an hour before the band was to hit the stage, I was told that there could only be one photographer at a time in the pit. As I was the first there, I was scheduled to go first.

In total, there were 4 photogs present. I hadn’t seen these guys at other shows I have shot so we quickly exchanged pleasantries and planned our strategy for the night.

We were to take turns doing a song each for three songs. Sounded fair.

I went in first and noticed that all the backlights were shining directly into my face and lens. Sigh! It was going to be tough to get a decent shot but I planned to make the best of the lighting and try to get some decent silhouettes happening.

After we all had a turn each within the segmented photo-pit area, security pulled the pin and didn’t allow us in again. That’s how it goes and as unfortunate as that is, one song is still better than no songs.

As for the band, well, I have been a fan from the minute I heard the first album and it is quite evident that these guys are going to be the biggest thing in long, long time. If they can keep it together – I am easily seeing world domination happening. They have this undying aura and quality about them with a uniquely marvellous retro-goth-punk-indie-alt groove. Just fucking magnificent.

Back in 1996, I was as big a Marilyn Manson fan as you could get. The band, having signed to Trent Reznor’s label ‘Nothing Records’ – had released a couple of classic albums, ‘Portrait of An American Family’ and the magnificent ‘Antichrist Superstar’. A couple of records I played to death. Matter of fact, I still listen to them today.

I first saw Manson in concert in early 1997. The band were still practically unknown and touring Australia promoting the aforementioned ‘Antichrist Superstar’ opus. Witnessing the band playing at St.Kilda’s then Palace venue – was an amazing experience and a gig that truly, changed my life. They were so dastardly evil and dangerous back in the day – I felt as if I had watched Lucifer himself appear on that stage with arms stretched out in a sickly Jesus Christ pose, Manson stepped out from a cloud of smoke and tore the Palace a new one. It was a classic gig!

And here we are…

To be perfectly honest, I don’t even know how I landed the photopass for Marilyn Manson’s first Melbourne show at Festival Hall. I remember approaching the promoter for a pass to Dream Theater’s forthcoming tour and then many weeks later, there was an email in my inbox informing me of ‘Marilyn Manson photo accreditation’.

Nice! I wasn’t gonna complain.

This would be the biggest gig I have shot and my first time at Festival Hall. But, there was a catch.

One song, and then to be escorted out of the venue.

I had heard of such strict photo policies before and even tho I did feel a tad upset at having such limited access, I quickly debated in my head whether I should bother or not but when all was said and done… one song is better than no songs right?

And it was at this point… right then and there that I knew, I knew I would never bitch about the standard three-song limit ever again(!)

I arrived at Festival Hall to meet with my contact at the allotted time of 8.45pm. There were several photogs present, some I have shot alongside before but I remained quiet and truth be told, I was a little nervous about the night.

Just before showtime, we were escorted from backstage to the front of the stage and then to stage-right. The band had a huge black curtain present and that would have to drop and be gathered by the roadies before we were allowed center-stage in the photo-pit.

I felt my heart pounding in my chest as the lights lowered and the bottom-end tone of the intro music kicked into gear.

The curtain fell. The lights were blinding and I watched as the other 8 photogs scrambled ahead. It was so surreal. It was as if we were running into battle about to go over a trench and face enemy fire.

Man, the buzz was amazing.

Somehow I found myself directly in-front of Marilyn Manson himself. He was a mere inches away from my camera and I and knowing full well that the song had barely minutes to go, I clicked away frantically all the while conscious of getting it all in focus and getting it all composed as best as I could.

In a blink of an eye the song was coming to a close and I looked up as Manson was leering down at me. I then felt the cold wetness of a beer being spilt over the left side of my head and looking up and seeing an evil grin stare back at me. All I could do was high-five the man before being dragged away by the bouncers and escorted out of the venue.

Our song was up. The night was over.