ParisLane

by Music

Andy and Steve Mackay are ParisLane – you might recognise them from X-Factor in 2012. It’s pretty cool getting the chance to take photos of twins, and pretty cool to take photos of musicians… so twin musicians is a bonus!

Something I really love in a shoot is when people put their trust in me, and let me take them out of their comfort zone. These guys totally did that. You’ll see what I mean in the gallery…

A huge thank you to Stefan from CF Photography and Design for joining us on the shoot, especially with wrangling Steve’s anti-gravity piano work! It is a huge pleasure to get to work with Stefan.

You can check out ParisLane’s work at their YouTube channel, and follow their Facebook page for news and gigs.

OK, now that you’ve looked at that image, look again. Steve is totally holding himself up with his arms. That’s no mean feat.

Dawn – The Spinning Jenny, Volume 1

by MusicPortraits

A long time ago in a land far far away….

Okay, recently and actually just across the street from our home…

We got to have a photo session like no other with an amazing band called “Dawn”, and have been privileged enough to be a part of their journey as they produce this amazing album – The Spinning Jenny, Volume 1.  Lead singer for Dawn is Kimberley, and we collaborated with her to come up with some amazing concepts for photos for the latest album.  It was all about bringing a steampunk vibe to the photos and getting shots that might be from an era long ago or one yet to come.  A group of battle weary travellers finding their history and ancestry in the world around them.

We actually did get up at dawn for the shoot, which involved lots of costumed band members walking down our street across to an amazing field across from our house.  I can’t imagine what our neighbours think when they look out their windows and see elaborately dressed men and women walking past as the sun is just rising…

I must say I got the biggest buzz and goofiest grin when we went into JB Hi Fi and saw the Dawn album with our photo on it.  Kris’s photography and my editing.  What an amazing feeling.  Thanks Kimberley and the band of Dawn for trusting us with your vision.

Dawn are exquisitely dressed by Alex of Clockwork Butterfly.

Album design by Matthew of DarkMantra.

(And piano graciously supplied by Steve Mackay.)

You can find out more about Dawn at their website or facebook page.

Dawn are going all over the country for their Dawn Winter Tour – check them out!

This is the album cover of The Spinning Jenny – Volume 1.  Apart from the costumes being beyond amazing, Kimberley has cheekbones and lips to die for!  She was an amazing model and had an aura of goddess like serenity.
There is just something about this photo that I love.  It has almost a tribal feel and her eyes just look deep into your soul.

Ben Craven and The Section

by MusicPortraits

Ben Craven has been making a name for himself as a genius in a new generation of prog rockers. In late 2011 he followed up his debut Two False Idols album with the pretty incredible Great and Terrible Potions. Ben’s music has been described as ‘cinematic rock’, and when you listen you’ll understand why. I find every single one of his songs paints vivid visual images, even before the vocals start. As a photographer, I almost feel compelled to go out and shoot an image for each song just to get some closure. The word ‘epic’ is thrown around for a lot of things now, but you don’t know epic until you’ve heard some of the cinematic soundscapes Ben creates.

I caught up with Ben, Jason and Chad for an afternoon shoot, giving the boys an hour off from rehearsals ahead of upcoming gigs!

Ben is performing with The Section at The Tempo Hotel on Friday 30 November.

–Kris