MMXXV – Matthew Mitcham annual portrait

Sydney-based photographer John McRae is a long-time collaborator with Olympic gold-medal diver Matthew Mitcham. Since before 2008, when Mitcham won gold in the 10-metre platform event in Beijing with what was then the highest-scoring single dive in Olympic history, McRae has been documenting Mitcham’s evolution from an uncertain youth into a self-possessed, globally recognised sportsman and actor. 

Several of McRae’s portraits of Matthew have appeared on the covers of international magazines, revealing Mitcham’s role as an accomplished performer — at ease with his physical prowess, his stage presence as a theatrical actor and his emotional candour. One of McRae’s portraits was also reproduced on the cover of Mitcham’s 2012 autobiography “Twists and Turns”.

“Essentially, I am using my camera as a tool for tracking and mapping a personality,” says McRae. “Over the years, our working relationship has developed naturally and easily, alongside a growing friendship. In many ways these images are snapshots of the interaction between photographer and muse. I’m interested in turning the camera toward that exchange.”

This newly made portrait marks the continuation of their ongoing series – their 16th annual image produced together. The previous portrait was taken in 2022; a three-year gap shaped not by intention but by geography, with photographer and subject living half a world apart. Reuniting in 2025 brings an added resonance — a sense of return, of picking up a visual conversation mid-sentence. Time, distance and experience are quietly embedded in the image, contributing to its depth and maturity.

Both McRae and Mitcham have long agreed that this body of work will continue for as long as circumstances allow — a shared commitment to subtle observation, innovation and trust.

John McRae’s portraits have been finalists in many of Australia’s most significant art prizes, including the Olive Cotton Award, the National Photographic Portrait Prize, the Moran Portrait Prize, Head On Portrait Prize, the Blake Prize and the Josephine Ulrick & Win Schubert Award. His work has been exhibited widely throughout Australia and internationally, and he continues to explore intimacy, self-awareness and the evolving nature of identity through long-term photographic relationships.

Matthew has returned to Australia to perform in the cutting edge play “Afterglow”. The Sydney season runs from 26 February – 22 March at the Eternity Playhouse (see this link:)
“Afterglow” also has a Melbourne season at Chapel Off Chapel performance space, Prahran, from 30 January – 21 February. (For details click on this link:)