Photographers, bloggers and industry buyers came from around the world for the event soaking up the atmosphere, networking, their way from show to show and reporting on it at the same time. I spent the week covering such shows as Romance Was Born, Lisa Ho, Suboo, Emma Mullholland and many more. Check out LMPhotoArt for the week in pictures.

For an interesting look into the week check out Hairromance and Fashion156 for more of my collections. Yesterday I also interviewed with Fashion156 as their reporting photographer and spoke of my overall experience from the past week looking at Fashion Week trends and the future of Australian fashion going forward. I’ll be continuing to update LMPhotoArt with more coverage of the week just gone and looking at the week from a photographer life.

Last night I had the privilege of covering backstage and runway at the Romance was Born show, day 1 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia. The manic backstage of a runway show is, in my eyes an organised craze.

Everything has its place, the sequence of makeup, hair, clothes is seamless…the job just gets done. What I witnessed last night was on a whole other level.

I knew this show would be great and so for the past few months I’ve had it locked in my diary but when I got backstage there are no words to describe it, the vibe was electric, I was blown away. Glitter, frills & wigs, each colour of the rainbow! Junior stylists idolising the lead hairstylist and watching intently how the magic happens. Stylists & models more than happy to throw a smile your way as I capture the essence and feel of the mood. Backstage really was a glitterfest of sparkle & shine.

As I prepared to take my spot in the media pit I had a sense I was about to step into another world. How right I was – Romance Was Born presents Candyland!

I’m not sure I can present an accurate picture in words as to the beauty and detail involved in the set design. It was amazing. The models were professional; the outfits were ‘masterpieces’ I heard someone comment. So from here I’ll let my images do the talking but I leave you with this; the MBFWA Romance Was Born show was one of the best 20 minute escapes from reality shows I have witnessed from a media riser. It will be a hard one to beat. As the show ended the crowd erupted in cheer. This show did not disappoint, they never do. I can see why this brand, this designer, and everything they are known for in the fashion Industry are much loved and adored by the Australian public, media & Industry peers.

Run by landscape & humanitarian photographer Colby Brown from Denver, Colorado, sponsored by Google & Samsung, with companies like f stop (bags & photo accessories) also taking part providing spot prizes the day was a huge hit! I have to say, initially I had concerns, I’ve battled the crowds & walked the Bronte to Bondi route nearly every weekend for three years sometimes with, sometimes without my camera but never with a single group of a few hundred people aiming to get their best shot! I needn’t have worried, the day just flowed allowing not just a few but everyone who took part to really explore their own style.

Colby Brown was inspiring as he stopped and spoke of his career as a photographer & how he broke into the industry. He seemed open to questions….any and all were welcome!
The walk started at Bronte Park, it was announced we had broken the record and so off we wandered down to the sand for a group photo. “Enjoy the walk guys, we’ll see you all along the way. Remember – Have fun!” was announced so it began, the cameras started snapping away. It didn’t matter if you had your best DSLR on show or a simple point and shoot, if you like photography you were welcome to join.

We strolled around to the iconic Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club, dogs put on shows, joggers dodged tripods and new friendships were made. After a brief stop at the top of Bondi to take in the spectacular view, I realised mother natured was putting on her best show for us as rainbows appeared out to sea.

Our walk ended some 3 hours later down at Bondi Beach, beside the skate park. I must admit I’ve never taken much notice of the skate park or the photo opportunities it can bring. Skaters young and old put on their best moves while I snapped away. I’ll certainly be back here again, the possibilities are endless and the background view is one of a kind.
We ended our day with thank you and prizes. It’s really nice to just take a step back sometimes and look at something you see on a daily basis from a new angle or with new friends. The photo walk reminded me and all of us not to forget to think outside the box sometimes the most unique things to photograph are the simple things.

Bright lights, music pumping, drinks flowing the guests roll in! Its Fashion Palette 2013 and what you see as an attendee is a world away from the madness that is backstage.

Hairspray tins, energy drinks, nail polish and make up everywhere, it’s organised chaos to the max! and then a moment….the natural beautiful light flows in through the back windows of the backstage setting. The beautiful architecture, natural light and willing models, I take the opportunity to capture a few ‘not so traditional’ backstage shots.

Some of the fabulous Fashion Palette designers included; Saucy Rose, Chi – Chiquita Searle, Twofolded, Niki Teljega, Mossee, Betina Liano, Nicola Finetti, Just to name a few…. Combine fantastic designer talent with amazing models to show the designs and you come up with a combination of beauty, grace, elegance, the models have it all…and know how to work it!

It’s amazing, the sunsets are surreal, the sunrises are majestic, the people are the friendliest I’ve ever met. The word BULA ‘hello’ becomes a part of life, the smiles are infectious, its what really make this place so special.

As I broke out my camera and started capturing what I thought were some of the most beautiful scenes my attention was taken elsewhere, I heard giggles, laughter, singing and I turned around to watch a group of friends, women, walking home after a hard days work, enjoying life. It’s so refreshing. I watched and photographed and realised just how special this place and it’s people are!

Here are a handful of my favourite shots, images I want to share with you and hope put as much as a smile on your face as it does mine.

Photographers rise for early sunrises and battle the crowds for balmy spring sunsets to get ‘the shot’. I took the opportunity on a dark and moody, somewhat stormy Friday night to get my shots….so impressed, I returned on the closing night for more.

I am no stranger to the beautiful coastal walk that Sydney’s eastern suburbs has to offer but it always amazes me the crowds that make it out to Sculpture By The Sea each year. Fellow Nikon users, Canon users, compact digital users and the modern mobile phone photographers all took to the coastal beaches to get snap happy photographing sculptures and family memories for what is fast becoming one of the best yearly features on Sydney’s east coast.

I have to say the night itself seemed to be a big hit, and why wouldn’t it, with Pacific Magazines titles like marie claire,  InStyle,  New Idea, Who,  FAMOUS,  Bride To Be,  Better Homes  and Gardens,  Girlfriend,  Women’s Health,  Prevention and Home Beautiful  providing nationwide coverage and backing by channel 7 and Yahoo 7 this intimate yet vibrant launch party was the perfect start to a week of free beauty initiatives & workshops.

Set in my favourite surroundings (makeup, fashion, cocktails, red carpet & photography) I positioned myself in the intimate media pit, where I feel most at home and snapped a few familiar faces:

Jackie Frank, marie claire editor

Casey Burgess, Actress, musician and TV personality

Sally Obermeder , Today Tonight presenter

Larry Emdur, The Morning Show hosts

Elka Whalan, Olympic medallist

Stephanie Rice, Olympic medallist

Kerri-Anne Kennerley, TV personality

So, again it seems Sydney never seems to be short of a fashion event….and good thing, because as a photographer that’s what I love and with camera at my side once again I am in my element.

Sydney was abuzz with fashionista’s, celebrities, photographers, bloggers, media & volunteers alike all coming together. There were media passes being arranged, PR contacts being called and beyond all things there was networking, networking & more networking. A friend of mine said to me….You know it’s fashion week when people are insulted if you don’t stop them and ask for their photo. No, she didn’t just mean backstage but out on the street where street fashion blogging numbers are through the roof at present and as far as I can see are only increasing. People love fashion and there are endless ways to present it.

I had my backstage pass, my camera at the ready and free rein of backstage. As you may expect it’s intense, model after model their hair is twisted and pinned into place, makeup prepared, hair retouched, then back to the makeup pro’s for a final check. Over to the outfits and I learn to appreciate just how tough a job the people behind the scenes have….

What an amazing week! Light shows, dragon dancers, international celebrities and a front row seat in my favourite place of all to photograph – the Photographers Pit!

As I’d mentioned earlier in the week, I do love fashion and love when opportunities arise to photograph it. The hype, intensity, drama all roll into one fantastic experience…not just once but every time I take my position.

I spoke with a lot of other photographers over the past week to understand why different photographers turn to fashion photography as a living. Some were there shooting on commission, some were shooting for specific brands and others were there shooting for themselves. The common question I asked photographers was ‘were they here for the job or the fashion?’….answers varied as you can imagine but for me it’s the love of photography, my soft spot for a well styled outfit, and the high that comes with securing a spot that only a select few get the opportunity to experience that really excites me.

Taking position on the media rise is one thing but what I have learned over time is that you also need to know when to take a step back, position yourself somewhere unique, set yourself apart from the crowd and shoot that different angle, dramatic shadows and the audience view.

A successful, amazing, dramatic & surreal week. I’ll do it again in a heartbeat!