April 2019 – John McRae Photography & Studio

April 28, 2019April 28, 2019

Easter Break in Victoria

I made a trip down to Victoria over the Easter break. My family hail from the dry, flat region of the Wimmera Mallee and I joined my sister and brother on a small farm at the foot of the Grampian mountain range, near the village of Dadswells Bridge.

Here a few images from the trip……

This is my sister looking relaxed and happy. The weather was great during the day. The mornings were brisk and sharp, softened by the warmth of an open fire

Check out this wooden stove. How cool.

The end of the day was a moment where everyone would come together, relax, sit around and chat.

The farm was nestled at the foot of the Grampians. This was the view from the creek that ran beside the property. It was really hard to deal with as you can imagine.

Helen saying hello to the relatives….

Lunch at the local Vietnamese street vendor in Horsham.

Lunch with Denise at the Great Western Hotel

I went to the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Williamstown in Melbourne……..

My hosts in Melbourne where I spent the night before returning to Sydney.

April 17, 2019April 18, 2019

Upgrades at Macquarie University

I recently photographed the completed refurbishment of several facilities at Macquarie University. An entire fit-out was executed in the buildings of the International College, including testing rooms at the English Language College.

It was a thrill to photograph this project. Prime Constructions meticulously implemented the designs of Marc Oberhauser of Gardner Wetherill and Associates, the architect.

If only design was this good when I was at University all those years ago…..

April 15, 2019April 15, 2019

VALE RON AUSTIN

On Sunday I woke up to the sad news that Ron Austin had passed away on the weekend at the age of 90.

Ron was a gay rights activist and a member of the legendary 78’ers. He played a major role in the beginnings of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which took place in 1978 after his famous words, “Why don’t we have a street party?” The rest is history.

I had the pleasure of working with this humble, joyous man in 2012. Ron was one of the portrait models I photographed in a celebratory mood as part of the 2012 Mardi Gras promotional campaign.

RIP Ron Austin

April 4, 2019April 4, 2019

Trans & Gender Diverse Health – my portraits for ACON’s new campaign

I recently spent a very busy and rewarding day at the ACON headquarters near Sydney’s Central Station, taking proud and confident portraits of some of the members of our trans and gender diverse community in an informal, temporary studio on the third floor. The single portraits and group shots of Riri, Brielle, Te, Andrew, Peta, Sage, Emily, Farren and more than 30 other models are being published as part of an important document and campaign aimed at improving health issues for this particular group of our fellow human beings.

It is an uplifting and joyful experience to be able to photograph a group of socially-aware, ground-breaking people from such diverse backgrounds. The open-hearted, positive campaign initiated by ACON is so powerful that several of the models decided they would allow themselves to be professionally photographed for the very first time. I am very proud to be part of this process.

The new health strategy released by ACON aims to address key health issues and barriers experienced by trans and gender diverse (TGD) people. It was launched in April at Parliament House. The landmark “Blueprint for Improving the Health & Wellbeing of the Trans & Gender Diverse Community in NSW” provides a detailed overview of the health issues facing TGD people, and outlines key priority action areas that need to be addressed and implemented to ensure their health and wellbeing. To view the blueprint go to: acon.org.au