Michael wins a year’s subscription to Australian Country and a package of products from our sponsors, Paper Pocket. The judges – editor Kirsty McKenzie and photographer Ken Brass – combed through thousands of images from entrants throughout the year and selected Michael’s work for his obvious connection to country and ability to render the landscape in its best light.
Photography has been part of Michael’s life since high school, when he joined the photography club and began exploring with a digital point-and-shoot camera. After moving to Brisbane, his interest deepened. He bought my first DSLR with money he’d saved during his gap year and went on to study film and new media at university, which gave him a new understanding of light, composition, and storytelling.
Today, photography is both a creative outlet and a central part of his professional life in digital marketing and communications, alongside freelance work. It’s a passion that bridges work and leisure, often motivating him to get outdoors, take road trips, seek out wildlife, or photograph the atmosphere of a local event.
“I love capturing nature, the people who interact with it, and the wildlife and atmosphere that bring a scene to life,” he says. “But I also enjoy exploring different styles of photography. I’ve photographed everything from Brisbane Bullets games and community events to corporate headshots, portraits, and street photography.”
Many of his favourite photographs come from his family’s farm, affectionately known as “Foxtail.” “When I’m there, my cameras and lenses are usually with me,” Michael says. “I photograph the cattle in their element, the sweeping landscapes, the ever-changing skies, and the interactions between people and land. My niece and nephew often feature in these images, patting bulls or exploring the property, bringing life, movement, and scale to the scenes. I also enjoy capturing the small, quiet moments—the way morning fog curls around the trees, the reflection of clouds in the dams, or the variety of birds that call it home.
“What I enjoy most, however, is photographing how the landscape transforms throughout the day. From the soft, wispy fog and dramatic shadows of sunrise to the warm, golden light of morning and afternoon, the pinks and purples that sweep the sky at dusk, and the crisp clarity of the stars at night. Each time of day brings a different texture, light, and mood.”
