Elleni Toumpas

This year was my fourth year (I think) photographing the Queensland Poetry Festival. It is one of my favourite times of the year, and one of my favourite festivals to photograph as I have been doing it for so long, and it is a chance for me to reflect on the year that has been since my last QPF shoot and see where I have come as a photographer.

This year the Queensland Writers Centre and I organised to shoot the poet in-resident (visiting from the USA) in a private portrait session. On the Sunday I took Emily XYZ and her performance partner Myers Bartlett to two locations around the Judith Wright Centre for this quick session. All up we did three set ups and took 15 minutes (walking time included). On a quick glance (and still while I edit the rest of the photos from the festival) these are my quick favourites. Myer reminded me on all my aunties on my mum’s side, with the loudness and swearing to boot. I am not sure if Myer realised this was a compliment when I mentioned that during the shoot.

Day four of Bluesfest saw me shoot Gogol Bordello with a dying camera.

This was the second chance I had to shoot Sydney’s band The Snowdroppers. They were probably the shooting highlight of my festival.

The pit for Crowded House was beyond ridiculous. But I guess that is what to expect from a Bluesfest pit.

Poor Man’s Whiskey played a roving gig around the festival grounds, which was fun to shoot.

More photos below

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Bela Fleck African Project

Things have been a bit busy in the last few months, but I thought I should try and get the rest of the bluesfest photos up.

Beauna Vista Social Club

On Sunday the Brisbane Powerhouse celebrated their 10th anniversary by playing host to a day long event for the whole family. From the Bananas in Pyjamas to Vulcana Circus Women, it was a free event that brought the crowds out on this cold Autumn day.

I headed down to photograph two sets for Mess and Noise, with Last Dinosaurs billing first, before Brisbane’s much loved Regurgitator brought a packed mixed-aged crowd out to dance to some classic ‘Gurge tracks.

Before Regurgitator’s set, the Last Dinosaur took to the stage. A couple of shots from their set below.

A snapshot of their fanbase.

More shots from both sets below.

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Last month I was commissioned to photograph a few of the National Youth Week activities by the Brisbane City Council. During the week I was sent to cover breakdancing battles, silent discos, sports, dance and music showcases along with reverse garbage art workshops.

Day one I photographed the Silent Disco.

Day two saw me covering the sports showcase with a quick demonstration and teaser for the Battle City battles on Friday.

On Sunday National Youth Week hosted the first Suitcase Rummage.

On the second Friday I was assigned the second shooter position for the BattleCity breakdancing battles.

On the Sunday my committments ended with photographing an arts, music and industry showcase in King George Square.

More photos below.

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Last month my beautiful girlfriend got more work done on her sleeve. She gets her work done at True Love, with head artist Mez. I came along to take some snaps as I’ve never seen a tattoo session before.

The clouds and jelly beans were added in this session. This is when they had just been outlined.

The trip was also the first tattoo for my partner’s best mate. In their circle of friends its a bit of a tradition to get a ’stache tattoo done. My partner has two of her very own. Apparently its the most painful of the tatts you can get done.

Here is her friend Jac putting on a brave face.

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Day Two of Blues and Roots festival sees me shooting my first full day of artists. A big day ensues, shooting 11 acts, including Ozomatli, Matisyahu, Jeff Beck, John Butler Trio, Snowdroppers and more…

More below…

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Day One of Bluesfest was a short one for me as I arrived into Byron just in time to catch only two acts, Old Man River and Jack Johnson. As I recalled from previous occaisions, Old Man River was much more fun to shoot on the smaller stage, before Jack Johnon and his rather uninspiring performance took the main stage.

More below.

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Last night I photographed Eddy Current Suppression Ring at the Zoo. Ive been meaning to check out their performance for a while. And they surely did not disappoint.

More photos below.

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A few weeks ago I photographed headshots and stills for actor Frankie Paul Oatway. Frankie and his crew were shooting action sequences with real guns and required a few stills to use for agencies and the like.

Following are a few photos that came from the shoot.

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