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Photographing Macy Gray at The Station, Newcastle

As a concert photographer, there are some artists whose performances translate effortlessly through the lens, and Macy Gray is certainly one of them. I recently had the opportunity to photograph her show at The Station in Newcastle as part of her Australian tour, and it was an unforgettable experience.

Macy Gray performs on stage at The Station, Newcastle

From the moment she walked on stage, Macy had the crowd in the palm of her hand. Her unmistakable voice remains as distinctive as ever, and her ability to connect with an audience is something that can’t be manufactured. Every song carried a sense of authenticity and emotion that made the performance feel genuinely special.

For photographers, live music is all about capturing moments, and there was no shortage of them throughout the night. Whether it was a powerful vocal passage, an intimate interaction with the audience, or simply the way she moved across the stage, there was always something happening that told the story of the performance. Combined with the atmosphere inside the venue, it made for a fantastic night of shooting.

What impressed me most was just how comfortable and confident Macy looked on stage. There’s a natural quality to her performances that comes from years of experience, yet everything still feels fresh and spontaneous. The audience responded to every moment, creating a great energy in the room from the first song through to the final encore.

The Station provided the perfect setting for the show, allowing fans to experience the performance up close and creating an atmosphere that felt both intimate and electric. Those are often the kinds of nights that produce the most memorable images.

With the Australian tour continuing, fans in other cities still have the opportunity to catch Macy live if they choose. Based on the Newcastle performance, they’re in for a memorable evening. (For details & tickets click on this link)

For me, it was another reminder of why I enjoy photographing live music so much. Great performers, great energy, and those fleeting moments that exist for only a second before becoming a photograph.

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“Ground-Breaking” and “Welcome to Country” at new ESR development at Huntingwood

As it the custom in the construction industry it is common to mark certain progressions or moments during the progress of the build. One such event is the commencement actual build. This is marked by an event called, “ground-breaking”. I have described the nature and context of this type of convention in previous posts…click here for more info.

I was commissioned by ESR to document the “welcome to country” and “gound-breaking” at a new Huntingwood location. The following are a series of images from the day….Uncle Davis King was the elder assigned to give the “welcome to country”. This was followed by a series of speeches, one by Scott Falvery (ESR GM for Development-NSW) and the other by the Hon Carol Israel, Deputy Mayor of Blacktown. The event ended with the ceremonial “ground-breaking” with the inscribed shovels, followed by coffee and croissants.

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How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

I shot the production images for this most recent production on at the Hayes Theatre and I am about to share a few of them here as part of this blog.

Firstly, here is some info I gleaned from the Hayes Theatre’s web site for some context….

Armed with a quirky instructional guide, J. Pierrepont Finch is set on climbing the corporate ladder—without breaking a sweat. With equal parts cunning and charm, he sidesteps snares, outwits obstacles, and plots his rise to the top.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a rollicking comic gem of satire and song—a joyful, knowing wink to the ambitious window washer lurking inside us all.

Cast and Creatives

  • With Jake Speer, Simon Burke, Georgia Laga’aia, Wayne Scott Kermond, Noni McCallum, Kaeng Chan, Lucy Lalor, Max Macdonald, Stacey Thomsett, Taye Grant, Madeline Pratt, Zachary Webster, Kye Hall, Katie Green and Kristina McNamara.
  • Director & Choreographer Cameron Mitchell
    Musical Supervisor Damon Wade
    Musical Director Kim Gilbert
    Set Designer Dominic Foffani
    Costume Designer Christine Mutton
    Lighting Designer Peter Rubie
    Associate Producer Kelsi Boyden
    Assistant Director Kristina McNamara
    Assistant Choreographer Zachary Webster

This show runs until the end of September….so book a ticket here: Hayes Theatre box office

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Prime Projects complete Lidcombe Storage King

I recently ventured to Lidcombe Storage King to document the newly completed Storage King facility built by Prime Projects. It was one of those perfect winter’s day so no complaints from the photographer.

We also took the opportunity to shoot some employee head shots on site as well as a couple of marketing shots for the company’s web site.

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Sydney Cabaret @ Ginger’s

It was another fabulous night of entertainment at Ginger’s in Oxford Street. It is good to see cabaret is still alive and audiences are loving the vibe and interaction with the performers. It does remind you that there’s nothing like live entertainment…the energy that an audience and performers create is unique.

Adam Noviello
Brittanie Shipway
Naomi Livingston
Rob Mcdougall
Chris Archer (Producer)

Chris Archer (Archery Productions) has launched a series of cabaret nights featuring some of our best musical talent. I was asked to capture the evening in photos which I totally loved doing.

I am posting a few images here…..

You can book and come along to the next iteration of Sydney Cabaret by clicking on this link: https://www.sydneycabaret.com/

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I’m Afraid of Americans – John Cameron Mitchell at the Enmore Theatre

Two-time Tony Award-winning star and creator of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Shortbus, JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL – I’M AFRAID OF AMERICANS – a Bowie Song Cycle, a thrilling theatrical concert celebrating DAVID BOWIE. Cameron Mitchell played to a full house on Sunday night at the Enmore Theatre and I was darting about capturing some of the action on stage.

Gary Oldman once said of the rock icon, “Don’t you feel that since he died, the world’s gone to sh*t?” John agrees and blends Bowie’s most apocalyptic songs with songs of quiet healing into an emotionally electrifying journey that explains how Hedwig was born (Bowie was an early supporter) and how the cultural icon predicted where the world is today, exactly ten years after he left us.

John is joined by the angelic voice of Australia’s new rising star JUDE YORK, international cabaret star MEOW MEOW and vocal powerhouse AMBER MARTIN (Scissor Sisters), with musical direction by MATTHEW KATZ-BOHEN (Blondie) and lighting design by JOJO FRANJOINE, this visually striking production fuses rock concert, cabaret and theatre.

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One Plus 2 Artist Studios Open Day

It’s happening! The studio complex where I house my photographic studio and where, in an adjoining part of the building, a large open plan artist studio exists, is staging an open day on the 19th and 20th September, from 10am – 5pm each day.

The general public is invited into the studios of each artist and the entire section of the building to wander around, engage with the artists, engage with their art work and generally have a good time.

The studios address is: 483 Balmain Road, Lilyfield NSW 2040

There will be a group exhibition at the front as people walk in, around the walls of the foyer and gallery area.

Additionally there will be a number of workshops going on both on Saturday and Sunday:

10:00 – life drawing
11:00 – Photography – basic studio lighting
12:00  – Drawing the face demonstration

2pm – 3pm Collage tables with materials for people to follow worksheets

Visit the website for more details and registration if you are interested in participating: www.oneplus2open.com

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New warehouse complex at Villawood

I do enjoy shooting large warehouses in industrial areas of Sydney, areas that I would normally not venture as I live close to the city centre and have few opportunities to visit. Admittedly, it a bit of drive each time as these logistical centres are perched more towards the out-lying, less residential suburbs.

Recently I captured a new build for ESR Australia, a complex of 3 separate warehouses at Villawood. I photographed the exterior and interior of warehouse 2 and 3, with warehouse 1 still receiving the finishing touches on the build, before being handed over to the tenants. So not yet ready to be photographed.

As I have mentioned before there is something very “zen” about photographing architecture and particularly these warehouse complexes. You are normally alone in this industrial landscape full of concrete and metal, walking exaggerated distances to circumnavigate these large structures from all angles and working, generally, up to dusk, hoping for the light to soften and illuminate your subject more sensually than in the stark midday sun.

One can never be sure of how the light will fall. Sometimes by chance or diving providence everything just falls into place….the light is pleasing, the shadows are right, the highlights are right, the sky is interesting enough to enhance the image the way you would like (for example I like a bit of cloud formation), may be a cloud obscures the direct sun at the right time, at the right place, for a great shot. Suffice to say you don’t always get what you would like with so many variables. Occasionally you do and it’s magic!

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Documenting Jacir’s performance at the Sydney Biennale

Image credit:  Emily Jacir, The Belly Cries and the Dogs Laugh, performance as part of the 25th Biennale of Sydney, March 14, 2026. White Bay Power Station, Entertainment Hall. Photograph: John McRae 

One of my photographs of the Emily Jacir rhythmic performance The Belly Cries and the Dogs Laugh, as part of the 25th Biennale of Sydney at White Bay Power Station, has been reproduced as an official postcard for the event. Meanwhile Jacir’s video installation at the White Bay Power Station remains on view until the Biennale closes on June 14.For the full story, see my previous blog post from March 30. https://www.johnmcrae.com/emily-jacir-at-the-sydney-biennale/

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The Pirates of Penzance at The Foundry Theatre

From left to right: Jay Laga’aia, Brittanie Shipway, Sarah Murr (back) & Maxwell Simon

The Hayes Theatre Company brings one of its star productions to the Foundry Theatre stage, a 360-seat live entertainment venue, part of The Star complex in Sydney.

I captured production images of this musical last year at the Hayes Theatre and I was happy to re-visit Gilbert & Sullivan’s madcap and satirical masterwork. Directed by Richard Carroll,
 it is an inventive, re-booted and re-wired take on this classic.

It was a joy to capture these images, while the cast enthusiastically swashbuckled and frolicked on stage.

The Pirates of Penzance is on at the Foundry Theatre until June 7, 2026

Articles:

Hit Hayes Theatre Co Musical, The Pirates Of Penzance, Sails Into The Foundry Theatre

https://www.broadwayworld.com/sydney/article/THE-PIRATES-OF-PENZANCE-Will-Come-to-Sydneys-Foundry-Theatre-20260511

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Catherine Alcorn rocks the socks off at Ginger’s

Seasoned Goddess and talented cabaret performer Catherine Alcorn has started something fabulous at Ginger’s nightclub on Oxford Street, Darlinghurst.

Last Friday was the second (sell-out) night of a continuing series of performances designed to “rock your socks off”. I had the pleasure of photographing her performance, together with various members of the “packed-to-the-rafters” audience.

“You may think Alcorn’s great strength is her powerhouse vocals, but it is in fact her ability to ad-lib” (Catherine Alcorn Live (Ginger’s) – Cultural Binge)

Catherine had invited some of her talented colleagues to share the stage…the acclaimed cabaret legend Phil Scott, and the recent Juilliard School graduate (Master of Music degree) jazz trumpeter James Sarno, with the warm-up act being the musical comedy of Jackie Loeb (Sydney Comedy Festival shows coming up soon)

Catherine and Phil – following a bare-chested performance by Phil Scott

Book a seat for the next shows Ginger’s 12 June or Ginger’s 24 July. See you there!

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Photographing in Melbourne for Circa AD Jewels

Louise Macdonald (Milliner) positions one of her hats on Carmen (model)

I always love it when I have a reason to head to Melbourne for work. Melbourne was my old stomping ground in my late teens and early 20’s, while I was studying for a science degree at Monash University. I enjoyed that time discovering all that the city had to offer, a far cry from the dairy farm I grew up on. Now living in Sydney for what seems like a life-time, it’s somewhat nostalgic to have a reason to head back down to Victoria.

The shoot begins…
Louise and Adrian styling Carmen
Ned taking a break
Adrian and Carmen having fun on set

I was shooting the lovely Carmen, who was once again modelling for Adrian Dickens of Circa AD Jewels. This time Adrian was also collaborating with the talented milliner Louise Macdonald

On a perfectly sunny morning, we all met up at Sun Studios in Melbourne to start the shoot. I was assisted by Ned Roche, my trusty “right-hand man”. It was a perfect team. Everything flowed smoothly and there was space to enjoy ourselves while we worked.

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Grass Flat, Mitre Rock & Arapiles

At the southern tip of the Great Dividing Range, the mountain range that extends from the eastern seaboard of Queensland all the way down to Victoria (almost 3,500kms), we find the final “last hurrah” of this massive natural edifice before it fades off into the flat regions of the Wimmera Plains. Here we find Mitre Rock and Mount Arapiles.

Mt Arapiles (left) with Mitre Rock (the blimp to the right)

I spent my Easter break on a family farm at Grass Flat, smack bang in front of the enigmatic Mount Arapiles. Mount Arapiles is well known amongst the mountain-climbing community in Australia and abroad for the quantity and variety of the various climbs. For me, however, it represents a familiar landmark in the landscape where I was born.

On approach to Mt Arapiles

Naturally I made a few shots of the area when I took a drive around the rock during my stay … see the images posted here.

As I travelled through the rocky terrain, I passed the reminders of the devastation of the recent fires that hit the area, destroying homes and properties. Some of the farmers were “burning off” the debris on their properties so as to reduce the fuel for any future threats.

Straddling the hay bales is a fun pastime when you’re visiting the remote family property that once belonged to your grandfather. 


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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Poster image of Rowan Witt (left) and Blake Erickson

I recently photographed for Red Lane Productions at Lobster Studios in Marrickville to capture images of the two leads, Blake Erickson and Rowan Witt, staring in the forth coming production of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. The season starts on 22 May at the Hayes Theatre and looks like its going to be a hoot. Book a ticket

Blake and Rowan had everyone cracking up during the shoot. It was a lot of fun so I am not going to miss seeing this on stage.

Press image of Rowan (left) and Blake

For more info on the cast see the link: The Scoop

Update…..

Rowan Witt, Kristina McNarama and Blake Erickson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has just finished its Hayes Theatre season to sell-out houses and rave reviews. The team is now about to start a new season at the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta from 25 – 28 June, 2026. So if you missed this musical theatre gem at the Hayes you can catch it at Parramatta

I’m happy that I will get the opportunity to experience the show again as I am returning to shoot the dress rehearsal at the Riverside Theatre. It is not quite the same as sitting in the audience and being totally entertained by the world these actors create (I have to keep my mind and concentration on the job at hand), but it will be fun.

Reviews:

Limelight Arts Review Suzygoessee The Scoop BroadwayWorld StageNoise

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Time stands still…..

On a rare trip to the rural area where I grew up in Horsham in western Victoria,
 I visited the swimming pool where I had spent so much of my youth pounding the waters, up and down, as part of the regular training regime. The pool and the surrounding buildings had all undergone a complete renovation, almost unrecognisable, except for the one solitary time clock, paint peeling in the same places, continuing its unending rotations…reminding me of the lap after lap, the 30 times 50 meters on the minute.

Strangely, I was happy to see it…untouched by time and progress.

Here’s the new pool and new buildings, including a new 25 meter indoor pool. How handy that would have been when winter hit when I was swimming.
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Emily Jacir at the Sydney Biennale

Emily pictured with choreographer Andrea De Siena during rehearsals

In a previous post early last November (https://www.johnmcrae.com/emily-jacir-selected-for-the-25th-biennale-of-sydney/), I mentioned how my friend Emily Jacir had been selected among the international artists to exhibit at the 2026 Sydney Biennale by Artistic Director Hoor Al Qasimi, who is also the president and director of the Sharjah Art Foundation in the United Arab Emirates. Titled “Rememory,” this edition of the Sydney Biennale focuses on themes of history, memory and belonging.

The recently re-opened “Entertainment Hall” of the White Bay Power Station where the walls are covered with the flaking paint of murals painted in a “by-gone” time, when the hall was privy to the social interactions of the many workers at the power station.

Alongside her moving video/sound installation featured at White Bay Power Station, Emily, together with dancers and three Italian artists (Andrea De Siena, Walter Laureti, & Valeria Taccone), workshopped an amazing performance entitled “The Belly Cries and the Dogs Laugh”. This piece was choreographed and presented in the space of the Entertainment Hall, a wonderful building attached to the former Power Station in Rozelle, a space that was re-opened for this explicit purpose, for the first time since being decommissioned in 1984.

I was privileged to photograph and document the development and staging of this amazing artistic expression (see above for some images of the rehearsal/workshop process). The following images were taken during the final presentation, which took place in Sydney over four performances in mid-March during the first weekend of the Biennale.

All in all, it was an emotional, inspirational event. It ended with most of the audience on their feet, dancing together with Emily and the other performers. It was fascinating for me to see the development and rhythmic process that is involved in creating such a performance, from the heart-felt choreography of Andrea De Siena, to the exceptional sound track devised by Walter Laureti, together with the haunting vocals of Valeria Taccone.

The cast of “The Belly Cries and the Dogs Laugh” performed at the Sydney Biennale, 2026
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Sydney Mardi Gras Parade 2026

In Sydney, once again it was time to head to the streets of Darlinghurst for a celebration of diversity and inclusion in the form of the 48th Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, the focal point of the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival. This year with more than 170 floats and 10,000 marchers, the parade was an explosion of colour.

It’s an opportunity for everyone to dress up, perk up and have a good time, from the crowds of people lining Oxford Street and Flinders Street (the main parade route) to the numerous participants in the parade itself, adorning the various floats. This year’s theme was Ecstatica  – Our Joy is Power! It was a wild mix of pride, passion and glitter-fuelled resistance. Following are some of my photographs from my time spent during the preparations of the parade and at the event.

Positive Life NSW

I shot the 2026 parade for the organisation Positive Life NSW. I traveled along the parade with the Positive Life float, capturing the joyful moments of the interaction between the parade participants and the general public cheering us on from the sidelines. It was invigorating and celebratory. The energy of the crowd swept you up in the moment, so much so that the 2km walk seemed to come and go in a flash.

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Macquarie University Sports Facility – built by RCCI

I recently completed an architectural shoot at Macquarie University in Sydney for RCCI, the specialist interiors division of Richard Crookes Constructions.

The team delivered a substantial addition to the existing sports pavilion, overlooking the expansive playing fields it serves. The project includes a new external entry structure, upgraded changing rooms, a commercial kitchen, meeting rooms, and a generous hall space from which several viewing rooms extend.

It’s a thoughtful and significant upgrade that will no doubt be greatly appreciated by the teams and wider community who use these facilities.

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Laura, Michele & Francesco

During the Christmas holiday period, I met up with Laura, a friend whom I first met several years ago in Rome at Jonathan’s apartment in Trastevere. At the time Laura was also living in the same apartment building and she was a regular guest on Jonathan’s rooftop terrace for his delicious cooking.

Fast forward several years … Laura found the debonaire Michele and as a result, their gorgeous son Francesco was born. Fast forward some more and the whole family decided to make a trip to discover Australia, also to experience surfing on the east coast from Noosa to Long Reef beach.

During their summer holiday, we met up in Sydney and I completed a photo shoot with all three in my studio. It was such a pleasure to see Laura again, and to meet Michele and Francesco for the first time. I was enchanted and I am so pleased that the occasion was marked by some beautiful portraits of a happy Italian family.

It’s easy to see who is the most photogenic in the family…