Interview of a photographer, Michelle Grace Hunder. With a decade of experience behind her lens, she has etched her name as one of Australia’s most revered Music Photographers.

Her journey unfolds with two distinct portrait series enshrined in Australia’s National Sound and Film Archive.

Following the 2015 release of her seminal photographic book, “RISE,” which chronicles her immersion into the vibrant world of Australian Hip-Hop, Michelle’s lens became a sought-after instrument for both local and international artists.

Q1. How did you first become interested in photography, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career or hobby?

Ans. I actually quite literally fell into it. My husband bought me a DSLR camera for Christmas one year after he noticed I liked taking photos at parties.

I loved documenting, and I guess that hasn’t really changed; it’s just that I document musicians now. Even how that started was really an accident; I just started following a few friends who were rappers around with a camera.

Things took off very quickly for me; I had a business within six months and just went all in.

Q.2 Can you describe your photography style and the subjects or genres you are most passionate about capturing through your lens?

Ans. I think my style is bold and colorful (at least now), and I love to capture emotion, movement, and personality.

I am most passionate about the collaboration between myself and the artist that I work with so I can help create a visual representation of their music.

Q3. You’ve had a remarkable journey as an Australian music photographer, including your acclaimed photographic book “RISE.” Can you share some of the most memorable experiences or moments that have shaped your career in this field?

Ans. I would say meeting so many people that I call close friends. I’ve worked with well-known or famous people for sure, but it’s the people that are dear to me that I’ve met through this line of work that stands out to me.

Q4. “Her Sound, Her Story” is a project that celebrates women in Australian music. What inspired you to undertake this ambitious endeavor, and what impact has it had on the music industry and beyond?

Ans. I was inspired after hearing a lot of conversations about gender disparity and wanting to do something to move the needle rather than just complain about it.

A lot of my work has been about shining a light on something I feel needs attention, and this project was no different.

I think looking back now and talking to people within the industry, I do believe our project had a lot of impact and inspired people to do things that are now starting a ripple effect of change.

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Q5. Could you describe your creative process when capturing live performance portraits’ raw energy and emotion? What techniques or equipment does Michelle Grace Hunder find most crucial in achieving the striking results we see in your work?

Ans. I would say when I’m shooting live music, I’m really intuitive. So it’s almost like having a very loose plan and mainly going with the flow, watching what I see on stage, how the people move, how the light falls, listening to the music drops or intense moments, and being ready to capture that.

I watch more than I shoot, waiting for the right moment. It’s hard to explain, but it’s more about feeling than being ‘technical.’

Q6 What is your favorite equipment or camera gear you couldn’t live without, and how does it enhance your portrait photography?

Ans. Usually, I’m not big on ‘gear’ and believe that really you should be able to shoot on whatever is in your hand, but I will say since I got my Nikon Z8.

It has been the best camera I have ever owned, and especially for live shots, the autofocus is unbelievable.

I would usually hear a sentence like that and say, ‘Whatever,’ but this camera feels like you are cheating; you can’t miss a shot!!

Q7. Your work has been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions. Can you highlight some of the most significant milestones in your career where your photography received widespread recognition or critical acclaim?

Ans. I would say I have three major milestones.

• I have two portrait series in the National Sound and Film Archive of Australia, which is pretty cool.
• My cover I shot for Rolling Stone
• I also just won an Aria for best cover art with my dear friend and collaborator Jeremy Koren for our work with Forest Claudette.

Q8. You’ve been a vocal supporter of local musicians and venues. In what ways do you advocate for the Australian music industry, and how do you (Michelle Grace Hunder ) see your role as a photographer contributing to the growth and success of local artists?

Ans. I feel that lately, I’ve been advocating more for younger music photographers. We are all self-represented; we don’t have managers to advocate or negotiate for us, and it is hard.

I do a lot of mentoring and constantly help out people with advice on how to navigate situations. I think there is a lack of respect for what we do, and sometimes, we are just treated as commodities and not humans. I would love to see that change.

Q9. You’ve been a part of the creative team responsible for the visual representation of Australian artist Ruel. What unique challenges and opportunities does this role present, and how does it differ from your other photography work?

Working with Ruel has allowed me to see the world through touring with him, meeting amazing people, and pushing my work into a realm that is a higher standard and more creative through my collaboration with Jeremy (his creative director) and the rest of the team.

It differs in that the team is consistent and has been for 7 years so we are great friends, literally a family, and it means that we can be honest and we all work harder on this project because we are so emotionally invested.

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Q10. Michelle Grace Hunderand Nikon’s partnership as an official Nikon Z Creator is impressive. How has this collaboration influenced your work and the way you ( Michelle Grace Hunder ) approach photography, especially when it comes to using Nikon’s Z series cameras?

Ans. Honestly, I think my approach has stayed the same, but the partnership has meant I have been involved in some really exciting campaigns and my works have been seen by a wider audience than just my little music bubble.

The experience has been so positive that I get to meet other Z creators and host online workshops as well.

Q11. For aspiring music photographers, your Online Masterclass seems like a valuable resource. What are some key takeaways that participants can expect from this course, and what advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a career in music photography?

Ans. Basically, it’s A- Z of what I have learned over the last 10-12 years. I tried to give people starting out the tools they need to get into the industry, as well as people a little more advanced advice on getting paid and making it a career!!

The feedback has been awesome, and I love when I see people out in the field saying they did the course and loved it!!

Q12. The music industry has evolved significantly over the years. How do you adapt to changing trends and technologies to stay relevant and continue to capture the essence of Australian music in your photographs?

Ans. I think the most important thing is to maintain good relationships. Technology is fast-paced and changing, but having good relationships and constantly delivering good quality images is what helps me remain consistently busy, I think.

I find the actual creative work really collaborative, so in that sense it is easy to be relevant as my creative cues come directly from the artist!

Q13. Lastly, what exciting projects or goals does Michelle Grace Hunder currently work on or look forward to in the near future, and how can fans of your work stay updated on your latest endeavors?

Ans. I have moved into a new studio along with my husband and we have started a creative house/production company working together, which has been super fun. I think that will keep me pretty inspired and busy over the next few years!!

My IG is michelleghunder and that is the best way to stay up to date!

Conclusion

Michelle Grace Hunder’s journey as a music photographer is nothing short of remarkable. With a decade of experience behind her lens, she has become one of Australia’s most revered photographers in the music industry.

From her accidental start in photography to her acclaimed photographic book “RISE,” Michelle’s passion for capturing the essence of Australian hip-hop and collaborating with artists has propelled her career to new heights.

Through projects like “Her Sound, Her Story,” she has made a significant impact on the music industry, inspiring change and celebrating the achievements of women in music.

Michelle Grace Hunder’s unique approach to capturing live performances and her dedication to mentoring aspiring photographers have solidified her position as not only a talented artist but also an advocate for the Australian music industry.

With exciting projects on the horizon and a new creative house with her husband, Michelle’s journey as a photographer continues to evolve