2020 Top Nine - As decided by likes on Insta

Before I jump in I wanted to start by saying thanks to everyone who’s supported my work not only in 2020 but every year over the last decade or so as I fumbled into photography. Thanks to everyone who’s posed for me, commissioned a shoot, to anyone who’s liked, shared or commented on social media and to the people that have purchased prints or merch.

I’d also like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Sunshine Coast; the Kabi Kabi people and the Jinibara people. I live and work on stolen land in so-called Australia where sovereignty was never ceded Majority of my work is created on Gubbi Gubbi and on Meanjin country. I’d like to acknowledge the privilege my whiteness provides and its contribution to ongoing oppression. I pay my respects elders past, present and future.

Instead of just posting my Top Nine for 2020 I figured I’d try delve a little deeper into each of the shots and try to give some context around them. If you’d like a broader look at my 2020, check out my 2020 Wrap-Up and see some of my favourite works from 2020 along with a bunch of words that help thread some sort through line. So in no particular order, here’s 2020’s Top Nine as decided by you guys and what you all decided to double tap while scrolling instagram.

This image was originally left as an outtake for my Creative Spaces (in)Residence for Sunshine Coast Council. I felt it was too derivative of my own work as I tried to recreate an early self-portrait taken while living in Whistler, Canada. While I think the original image is better, I shared this image as a way to talk about self-care for men on June 20,2020. It was the middle of Men’s Mental Health week in Australia with the added distress of a pandemic and lockdown it seemed to hit home for a lot of people.

Original Caption: If you’re a man, when you think of self care you probably don’t ever think of yourself. You probably think of a woman. Face mask on in a candle lit bathtub with a glass of red at the ready.
For many men, self-care is usually neglected as we define ourselves only in terms of productivity. Money earned, cars bought, etc.

While this isn’t all bad, it helps to find other ways of defining yourself outside of smashing a box of beers on the weekend.
So because no one asked and it’s still Men’s Mental Health week let’s talk about my own self care.
1. Time alone: I’m a pretty extroverted person but I also need time to recharge and process things. Usually I get to do this out hiking solo, shooting photos or chilling in the bath. Sometimes this means taking the long way home. I play loud music, read and write, just spend time with myself.
2. Hang Out..with others: The complete opposite I know. But talking shit with a few mates can be super therapeutic and it doesn’t always have to involve beers, although we all know they help. Try make time each week to either call or meet up with someone and just chat.
3. Self love: Honestly whatever that means to you. Find what feels good or mix it up. It could exercise, meditation, that other ‘M’ word or even the aforementioned wine and facemask.
4. Get a hobby or at least try: If you’re trying to find ways to define yourself outside of work or your struggling to do this whole self care thing the easiest way is to go do something you enjoy. And if you don’t know what this is, go try a bunch of shit.
5. Triggers/burnout: This could be the most important one. Next time you blow up, throw something or lash out at someone try and identify those feelings before you. Or at the very least address it afterwards. Acknowledging these triggers and emotions helps to deal with them better in the future. It also provides an opportunity to try make amends when you fuck up. Because let’s face we’re going to at one or another.
These are all just my opinions and what works for me. Don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help if you’re struggling. @beyondblueofficial is a great place to start.

Images like this seem to always do well on socials. It’s a simple formula really. But regardless was a super fun shoot to work on for Gatorbeug with Hannah Bateman. This image was actually originally taken as a selfie by Hannah and was the genesis for the whole shoot with Gatorbeug.

Original caption: Pretty oil pourers and Oregano for @gatorbeug . Throw it in a pasta or on top of some Neapolitan pizza and pair with a nice Cabernet Sauvignon.
*use responsibly
w/ @hanz_3

Tiesh Brooke is one of my favourite collaborators on the coast. She’s an amazingly talented model/artist in her own right and owns her entire persona. This shoot was one of those ones without much of plan other than a desire to hang out and try get something fun. Tiesh’s individuality, fluidity as a model and creativity as a stylist means you don’t need a whole to get something great.

Original caption: Dye your hair, shave your eyebrows, don’t shave your armpits, grow mutton chops, wear provocative clothing, wear nothing, wear a thousand layers, wear a dress, wear cargo shorts, thrift, buy new, so long as its all you I don’t give a fuck.
w/ @tiesh.brooke in the studio.

This image was really a promotional shot for a little project I fired up during COVID-19 lockdown but has become a great snapshot for a moment in time. Featuring my partner and roommates during lockdown with little nods to their personalities. I ended up shooting around twenty images for my ‘Front Door Series’ but this one will always be the most special.

Original caption: Front Door Series. So with current restrictions in place, I can’t really shoot. Or maybe I can? These are my ‘roommates’ from left to right: @81ee , @__jo_rdyn__ and @levi.cranston *. I asked them to be in first edition for this series and they willing humoured me.
What I’d like to do now is shoot you and your roommates or family at your front door. Dressed and posed however you like. Comment or DM to get involved! Sunshine Coast only for the time being.

I’m honestly surprised by how my self-portraits are received and even more surprised two of them made my top nine for 2020, so thank you. It always a little nerve wrecking posting them but I’m getting better with it and a big part of that has been how they have received. This image was obviously taken a couple years back while living in Whistler, Canada and was the first time I posed nude in the snow. My feet hurt so bad afterwards I was honestly worried I’d gotten frostbite. I posted it this for the first time as a little happy birthday to myself.

Original caption: Somehow survived twenty-seven years doing dumb shit like this.
Big love and thanks to all my family and friends! Wouldn’t be worth it without everyone of you along the way. Here’s to as many years as possible of doing dumb shit, good food and drink, being naked and to the love of my life @__jo_rdyn__ .
#selfportrait in Whistler, 2017

This image was actually posted as a black and white and was posted as part of my criticism of people posting black squares to Instagram. There was a tone of frustration in the caption as Australian’s heavily criticised American racism but had failed to see their own role in the problem.

Original caption: Black out Tuesday is just white noise. Keep posting and sharing information on what’s happening and what can be done. Stop using hashtags used by protestors and instead target the people who need to hear this. If you’re confused about what to say or don’t hesitate to reach out to me for a quick chat. According to the @guardianaustralia ‘Deaths Inside’ Project there have been 432 First Nations deaths in police custody since 1991. There are protests happening in solidarity with Black Lives Matters protests this weekend across Australia. These protests will also help to shine a light on Australia’s own systematic racism. *these photos were taken at climate change protests in Brisbane, December 2019.
#bluelivesmatter #alllivesmatter

So in the middle of pandemic and massive unemployment not only around the world but among my friends and family Jordyn decided to try raise some money for the Australian Cancer Council by shaving her head. We invited COVID-19 safe number of friends and family around for it and livestreamed the event to a hundred or so people. After all was said and done she raised just $2000 and left with a pretty bald head.

Original caption: So on Monday night, 31st of August the year that is 2020. A bunch of friends and family came around to help shave @__jo_rdyn__ ‘s head. I couldn’t be prouder of her and everyone who found a little to donate. With everyone’s efforts combined Jo raised just over $2000 for @cancercouncil . With everything going on it’s so hard for charities to raise money at the moment. We still have some one off prints for sale with all proceeds going to the @cancercouncil as well. Link in bio.
Honestly love Jo and all our friends and family so much! p.s thanks to @levi.cranston for that last shot!

I’ve already talked about how much I love working with Tiesh but part of being a photographer is having great photos of your friends for their birthdays. I honestly love doing birthday posts for friends, family and people I’ve worked with, to show your gratitude to them for being able to take their photo and spend time with them.

Original caption: An absolute powerhouse of a person, love ya to bits. Thanks for always being such an honest and inspiring person, a true original in world full of copies. Happy birthday @tiesh.brooke !!
These are outtakes from a series titled ‘If There Were No One Else’ published by @sticks_and_stones_agency . If you jump over to their store you can cop some posters from this series or a million other talented artists

And here goes number nine. It’s an honest to god favourite piece of work that I was privileged enough to be able to create with Mady Jade back in 2019 when we were collaborating together a lot. Mady was one of the first people who encouraged me to pose for them so to say she’s been an influence is an understatement. Finding people that you trust and allow you to be free in expressing yourself is so crazy important regardless of what you do. Among a few others, Mady is one of those people to me.

Original caption: I woke up and everything’s still here.
Bookings for this year are almost completely full, if you’re wanting to shoot before the new year please get in contact ASAP.
w/ @eyeseeauras , 2019.

Hopefully that was a little more fun than just a quick story post and a thanks, I know it was for me. At the very least if Zuck deletes my account in 2021 these nine posts will be immortalised here. Or until I stop paying the website fees. Here’s to everyone who made 2020 happen and all those that are going into 2021 with some hope.