11th March, 2025
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending and photographing Yours & Owls Festival in Wollongong. I got to spend two fun days with my friends and my wonderful partner, and see some awesome sets throughout the weekend. I was able to prioritise fun and get some good work done at the same time. Being so close to home, it was wonderful to bump into so many familiar faces and enjoy Wollongong lighthouse in all its newfound glory.
The festival line-up really suited my wishes for the weekend, because I got the chance to photograph some really great acts, but no one band or musician incited a sense of pressure. I wasn’t worried about missing a set, or prioritising my fun. One of the standout moments to me was Denzel Curry’s set. The energy on stage was infectious, and it was even more awesome from where I stood, between the enthusiastic crowd and the artist on stage. Overall, the festival crowds were a treat – I’ve experienced some frustration with low-energy crowds at live music events in the last couple of years, but this festival seemed like a lot of fun for everyone.
In the photo pit, I learned the ropes talking with the seasoned gig photographers: you’ve got those first three songs to nail your shots, you’ve got to be mindful and stay out of the way of the show and the festival staff. I gladly found that 3 songs is more than enough time to capture some glorious moments. I had the pleasure of meeting fellow photographers from various publications, each with unique backgrounds and styles. Their camaraderie and mutual respect not only inspired me but also boosted my confidence to experiment with creative shots.
A big shout-out to The Illawarra Flame, who continues to give me opportunities like this as a journalist and a photographer. Festivals like Yours & Owls grant media passes to photographers who are associated with specific publications, so thank you to The Flame and Yours & Owls for hooking me up with a photographer pass and a cool little lanyard, which turned this gig into an even more memorable experience. I was even able to sell my original ticket to a dear friend, and she brought the fun as usual, so I am grateful to have had the opportunity to give her a cheaper ticket. These photos and more will feature in The Illawarra Flame, either online or in print, and that will be fun.
What made the day even more special was the perfect balance between work and pure enjoyment. Although I planned the sets, I would shoot and those I would simply soak in, spending time with my friends and partner ensured a fun and stress-free day. I have the most wonderful and supportive people around me, and without them, I wouldn’t have had any of the fun and opportunities that I did. And the fun made it easier to edit too – while the editing process can sometimes feel overwhelming, the genuine excitement from the festival had me eagerly looking forward to editing and exporting these images to share with you all.
