Brisbane - Through the Lens 📸

📸 Sunrise Photography Meetup – Shorncliffe Jetty

📅 Saturday, 21 March 2026
📍 Location: Shorncliffe Jetty

🕔 Start: 15 minutes before sunrise (approx 5:40 AM AEST)
🕡 Finish: 6:45 AM AEST
☕ Optional: Coffee at a nearby café afterwards

⸻

🌅 About the Session
Join us for an early-morning sunrise and landscape photography session at the iconic Shorncliffe Jetty. We’ll arrive before sunrise to capture pre-dawn colours, first light, reflections, and long exposures, then shoot through to soft morning light. Afterward, those keen can head for an optional coffee nearby to relax, review shots, and talk photography.

⸻

🌤️ Weather Outlook (Seasonal Guide)

Late March in Brisbane typically brings mild early-morning temperatures (around 19–21 °C) with daytime highs in the mid-to-high 20s. Cloud cover is common, which is often ideal for dramatic sunrise colour, and there can be occasional coastal showers.

What this means for photographers:
• Broken clouds can enhance colour and texture in the sky
• Calm mornings suit long exposures over water
• Bring light weather protection just in case

A final weather check will be shared closer to the date.

⸻

📷 What to Bring

Camera gear
• DSLR or mirrorless camera
• Tripod (highly recommended for low light and long exposures)
• Spare batteries & memory cards

Lenses (recommended)
• Wide-angle (14–35 mm or equivalent): jetty lines, seascapes, sunrise skies
• Standard zoom (24–70 mm): flexible compositions
• Telephoto (optional): distant boats, light compression, details

Accessories
• Lens cloth (dew and sea spray)
• ND or graduated filters (optional)
• Headlamp or torch for safe setup in the dark

Personal items
• Light layers or jacket
• Comfortable shoes
• Water or small snack

⸻

📌 RSVP Details

🎟 Limited spots available

Please RSVP early to secure your place. Location meeting point details will be shared with confirmed attendees.

Looking forward to a calm morning, great light, and strong compositions 🌊📸

🔥 Fire Twirl Photography Meetup
📅 Saturday, 4 April 2026
🕠 Meet: 5:30pm

Join us for an evening of light, movement, and creative energy as we capture both golden sunset tones and dramatic fire twirl action.

📸 Session Flow

5:30pm – Sunset Photography
We’ll begin with golden hour shooting — perfect for silhouettes, portraits, environmental shots, and creative compositions.

After Sunset – Fire Twirl Session
As darkness sets in, we’ll transition into long exposure fire twirl photography, capturing dynamic light trails and movement.

⸻

📷 Camera Recommendations

DSLR / Mirrorless Cameras (Ideal for full creative control)
• Tripod (essential for long exposures)
• Wide to mid-range lens (e.g., 16–35mm, 24–70mm, 35mm prime)
• Manual mode capability
• Suggested starting settings for fire twirl:
• Shutter: 5–15 seconds
• Aperture: f/8–f/11
• ISO: 100–200

Beginner Cameras
• Any camera with manual or shutter priority mode
• Bring a tripod for stability

Smartphones (Absolutely welcome)
Modern phones with Night Mode or Pro Mode perform surprisingly well.

Recommended:
• Use a small tripod or stable surface
• Enable Night Mode or Long Exposure mode
• Lower ISO if using Pro Mode
• Use a 3–10 second exposure where available
• Avoid digital zoom

This session is beginner-friendly, guidance will be provided throughout.

⸻

🍽 Optional Dinner – From 7:30pm onwards
After the session, we’ll head to a nearby restaurant to unwind, connect, and share images. Dinner is optional and open to all attendees.

All skill levels welcome. Bring your camera or smartphone, creative curiosity, and enjoy a relaxed evening of photography and community.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Cheers,
Donna

🚪 Doors & Doorways – Brisbane Photography Walk

📅 Date: Sunday, 26 April 2026
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Meet: ANZAC Square (Ann Street side)
🏁 Finish: Queen Street Mall
☕ Optional Coffee & Cake: From 10:00 AM (self-purchase)

Join us for a relaxed Brisbane CBD photography walk exploring the theme “Doors & Doorways.”

From heritage entrances and ornate door frames to hidden laneways and modern glass facades, doors can reveal incredible stories about a city. This session is about slowing down, observing the details, and capturing the character and textures of Brisbane through its entryways.

We’ll start at Anzac Square and wander through the city toward Queen Street Mall, stopping along the way to photograph interesting doors, architecture, symmetry, reflections, and urban textures.

All skill levels are welcome — whether you’re shooting with a camera or phone. This is a casual social photography walk rather than a formal workshop.

After the walk, those who would like to continue chatting are welcome to join us for coffee and cake from 10:00 AM (self-purchase) nearby.

What to bring:
• Camera or smartphone
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water
• Your creative eye

Please note:
• Any photos shared within the group may also appear on the group’s social media platforms. If you prefer not to have your images shared, please refrain from posting them in the group.
• Participants attend at their own risk and are responsible for managing their own safety during the meetup. Hosts are not liable for any injuries, incidents, or accidents including any loss or damages of equipments.

Looking forward to exploring the city and capturing Brisbane’s hidden stories through its doors and doorways. 📷🚪

Cheers,
Donna

🌻 Sunflower Festival Meetup — Friday 1 May 2026

📍 Event: Kalbar Sunflower Festival

Hosted by: Kalbar Sunflower Festival
Location: 56 Warumkarie Rd, Kalbar QLD 4309, Australia 
Date: Friday, 1 May 2026
Festival Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM 

Join visitors from across Queensland to explore fields of over one million blooming sunflowers, take photos, enjoy live music, food vendors, activities and markets. 

⸻

🕗 Meetup Details

☀️ Meeting Time: 8:00 AM (festival start time)
📍 Meeting Spot: At the main entrance of the Kalbar Sunflower Festival (look for the festival signage at the carpark entrance)
👟 Recommended: Comfortable shoes, hat, sunscreen, water bottle & camera

Suggested Arrival: Aim to arrive 15 min early so everyone gathers before entering together — traffic flows better earlier in the morning. 

⸻

☁️ Weather Forecast for Friday 1 May 2026 (Brisbane/Kalbar general)

Typical climate for early May in southeast Queensland:
• Daytime temperatures: ~22 – 24 °C (min ~14 °C)
• Conditions: Mild and pleasant autumn weather with a chance of scattered rain showers — Brisbane averages a few rainy days in May, though overall milder than summer. 

No specific forecast is available this far ahead; historical averages suggest comfortable daytime temperatures, moderate UV and occasional showers. 

⸻

🎟️ Tickets & Entry

🎫 General Admission Tickets are required and must be purchased in advance — they are limited and sell out fast. 

👉 Purchase and info (when available starting Mar 2026):
🌐 https://kalbarsunflowers.com.au/ (festival’s official site) 

Approx. ticket prices (2026 expected):
• Adults: ~$35 AUD
• Teens (15–17): ~$15 AUD
• Kids under 15: Free 

Tip: Book your preferred time slot early — arrival times may be managed to avoid traffic congestion. 

⸻

📌 Additional Tips
• Bring cash for vendors (some may not take cards). 
• Pets are allowed on-lead, but clean up after them. 
• Picnic & photos: Best light for photography is early morning and late afternoon.
• Optional experiences (photo shoots, art classes, lunches) are extra and require separate booking once tickets go live (Mar 2026).

Please ensure you purchase tickets well in advance.

Thank you,
Donna