1. Hiya, what's your preferred name and pronouns, and whose country do you live on?
My name is Raimee, my pronouns are she/her, and I’m currently living on unceded Bundjalung land.
2. What's your rig rundown?
I like to keep things simple. I shoot on a Sony Alpha A7 III with a Sigma 35mm Art lens, I’m very much a one camera, one lens type of person; less chance of missing something when I’m not fumbling around with gear. I also never use a flash. Partly it’s a personal choice, because I don’t love being hit with 10,000 bursts of light at a show, and partly it’s the challenge. It can make things harder in darker venues, but it also pushes me to experiment and figure out how to make the light work for me. Half the fun of photography is problem solving until you find what works. I also dabble in some kaleidoscope/creative lens filters when I get the opportunity.
3. How did you get in to shooting live music?
I was already going to a heap of local shows and tagging along to my partner’s rehearsals, so it just made sense to bring my camera along. I’ve always loved photography, but after having my daughter I realised I needed to find a piece of myself again and have a creative outlet outside of being a mum. Shooting shows quickly became that.
Dave from Vinnies Dive in Southport gave me a really warm welcome and let me shoot shows there early on, which gave me the confidence to keep going. From there it snowballed and I started to meet more people in the scene.
Finding all ages shows in Nambour also made it much more accessible for me to keep shooting with a toddler. Big shout out to Cherry from Antivision for giving me free rein to shoot his shows and always making my little family feel welcome. That support has meant a lot and has allowed me to stay creative while still being present in both worlds.
4. What/who are some of your influences in photography?
I’ve always been drawn to documentary-style photography, so people like Jamie Wdziekonski, Angela Owens, and Jack Rudder are big inspirations.
I also get a huge amount of inspiration from the photographers I meet at shows. I love chatting with them, swapping stories, and seeing how everyone approaches things differently.
5. Do you have a favourite show that you've photographed, or a favourite memory from a gig you've shot? Or maybe a particular favourite photograph that you've taken?
I’ve been really fortunate to shoot so many shows that hold fond memories, but a couple stand out. Shooting Terror at Solbar was one of the wildest. The room was packed, there was no barrier, and it was just a constant stream of stage dives. I always joke that if my camera survived that show, it can survive anything.
Another favourite was the Antivision Christmas show last year at Blackbox Theatre. There were eleven bands on the lineup, four of which were playing their first ever show. The whole night felt like a big celebration of friendship and community, with so much support and excitement in the room. That kind of energy is what I love capturing most.
6. What else do you like to photograph outside of live music?
Outside of shows, my daughter is definitely my main subject. Capturing her as she grows is really special to me, and I love photographing family and friends too. Beyond that, I’ve always had a soft spot for nature photography.
7. How can folks reach out to you if they'd like to get in touch?
The best way to reach me is through Instagram at @_moonriot. That’s where I share most of my work and it’s the easiest place to connect.
