Luke Cunningham Portfolio

I met Luke in the most random of places. On a set of a music video for Dhanda Nyoliwala. An internet famous Indian rapper that I was renting my 1964 Impala to for the day.

We agreed that we had to work together in the future so we set up a portfolio shoot.

Hitting the Powerhouse at Newfarm park we were surrounded by an eat street market and thousands of people! So we had to think on our feet and move quickly to get the shots as the light was also fading quickly.

Utilising the vibrant colour of the purple trees as a back drop and the cold concrete walls inside the Powerhouse we were able to come away with some bangers!

Luke was a creative model to shoot with and at such a young age he will crush the industry with his passion for his craft.

Lukes Instagram

Celebrating the Artistry of the Human Form with Jamón

In the world of art, Greek sculptures have long been revered for their ability to capture the essence of human beauty and grace. These timeless masterpieces, often depicting women in their most elegant and natural forms, have served as a profound source of inspiration for countless artists throughout history. In a recent photoshoot, I had the privilege of channeling this rich artistic legacy to celebrate the innate beauty of the female form. Much like the sculptors of ancient Greece, our aim was to create images that would not just showcase, but also elevate, a woman's curves to their fullest potential.

Although the style of our images were very different from classical sculptures we were able to who of Jamón’s beautiful form by creating shapes with here body and a simple background.

Second to showing off her form we wanted to capture some simple but powerful beauty shots that have you completely fixed on her eyes.

This was really fun and I'm stoked on this set that Jamón gets to put in her new modelling portfolio.

Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting!

Taekwondo* fighting! Competing at world championship level Taekwondo and representing the United Kingdom, Courtney Eardley has been to the pinnacle of her combat sport.

As a third dan black belt her hands and feet have become weapons, so don't let the pretty smile and charming personality fool you, she can mess you up!

Hanging up the competitive belt, Courtney now teaches Taekwondo through her online presence while she travels between Australia and Thailand learning new forms of marshal arts including Muay Thai and Brazilian JuJitsu.

In our interview Courtney shared what it was like to compete at the top level, both the good and the bad, opening up about the intense dieting verging on starvation put upon athletes to make weight for their devision. This compounds when competing in your treens and as a young woman with the changes your body is naturally going through.

Check out the full interview on my YouTube which will be released later this week.

Immortals Project Update

20%..!!! I am absolutely stoked to have crossed this milestone for my Immortals project!

Setting out to help 100 athletes take the image worthy of their story I knew I was going to meet some world class athletes, but still in this early stage I am blown away with the people I have met and the story’s I have captured.

Interviewing and shooting athletes from amateur part timers to pros on the world stage, so far there are a few traits they all have that make them great I think we can learn from.

  1. Unwavering long-term vision. All these athletes have days where they doubt themselves, don’t want to train, get injured, lose competitions, lose sponsors, have setbacks but continue to rock up and put in the work for YEARS until they reach the vision they have for themselves. The ability to just not give up over a long period of time results in being the last man standing and reaping the reward of experience.

  2. Doing the simple things to the 110%. We all want to jump straight to the Gucci, fun and sexy part of our pursuits once we have a novel understanding of the basics. But these guys take it to the next level in drilling the basics. Repeating a punch, gear change, movement until it is just as natural to them as breathing before trying to master the technical.

  3. No side projects. There is one project, one pursuit, one trophy. They don’t get distracted by every shiny object that comes their way. This is the mission, and the mission is all that matters.

I cant wait to see were this project takes me, the athletes I’m yet to meet and the images I can give to them as a memory of there sporting legacy in this moment in time.

You can watch some of the conversations here on my Youtube channel.

Hybrid Machine! James Newbury

Currently hailing from the Gold Coast, James is one of the most insanely driven humans I have met. When he is not working out, surfing or smashing a coffee, James is currently going pedal to the metal with his new supplement brand Phyba.

Coming off the back of an incredibly successful CrossFit career where went to the CrossFit games FOUR TIMES!, an iron man athlete and promoter of the hybrid method of training, James is putting all the lessons learned from his experiences into this new venture.

Upon meeting James for my Immortal’s project it became immediately clear that his humble, articulate and good nature is the reason he is one of Australia’s most liked Crossfit athletes and not just for his sporting accolades.

You can hear about Jame’s sporting adventures, current projects and where to find the best coffee on the Goldy on my Youtube channel where I interview him for Immortals.

In collaboration with Allied Magazine

Jake ‘The Machine’ Wyllie

Fighting out of the Fortitude Boxing Gym, Jake is a professional boxer and a down to earth top bloke.

One of the many pro’s that fight out of this prestigious gym, Jake holds multiple Queensland and Australasian titles with his sites set on his next fight on Sep 16th.

Coming from the small country town of Warwick QLD Jake grew up playing football until he found his love for the sport of Boxing. With a plethora of amateur fights he then turned his sites on a professional career currently sitting at 8 wins 1 lose.

Bringing the values of a country life, hard work, heart on your sleeve, down to earth, Jake trains hard and is always open for a chat and to lend his knowledge in the gym. It was a pleasure to take his portrait and gain his insight for my project ‘Immortals’ with my interview with him which you can watch on my YouTube channel.

This is What Strong Looks Like

When I first saw Lily at a powerlifting comp she was refereeing and I thought, ‘damn that chick looks strong!’ Little did I know how strong she really was.

Being an athlete in many sports throughout her life she eventually found her love for powerlifting. After grinding and competing for several years, in 2020 at the weigh in before another comp Lily was diagnosed with cancer.

Losing a ton of weight and becoming a shadow of her former self she defeated the beast and has come back insanely strong setting multiple Australian records all in the last 3 years.

Lily’s mental strength and resilience is an inspiration and mirrors her amazing physical presence that sets her apart in the sport of women’s powerlifting.

You can find out more about Lily’s story from my interview with her here on my YouTube channel.

90’s Nostalgia

Inspired by my love of Punk Rock and being born in the 90’s, I had to put these two parts of my life into a shoot.

I wanted it to be poppy, grungy and fun and I needed a model that could embody this feeling and has the wardrobe to match. There was only one choice in my mind. My friend Phoebe.

With here fun, bright, retro wardrobe Phoebe came over to my apartment and in my living room we banged out this shoot that I am stoked about.

I wanted to have several looks each with a different feel and colour palette. You can watch the shoot and my editing process here on my YouTube channel.

Matty Mac!

As I scrolled down his Instagram feed my jaw dropped to the floor… ‘Who the hell is this guy!?’

For my first 2 portraits for my project ‘Immortals’ I hired the Gold Coast Studio which has now become my all-time favorite studio to shoot at. It is amazingly equipped and set out for my style with its minimal clean aesthetic and is run by one hell of a cool dude, Matt McFerran.

After finishing my shoot and talking to Matt I proceeded to Insta stalk him to find out about the owner of this cool studio and I was shocked at what I found.

His feed is filled with Matt sending the biggest freestyle motocross tricks, rad unique motorcycles and dirt bike adventures! Not what I expected from a photography studio owner.

In a past life Matt was a rider for some of the biggest Freestyle MX shows in the world including Nitro Circus and Crusty Demons, traveling and performing with them throughout the globe.

Needless to say, my curiosity was peeking, I had to find out more about this studio owner, photographer, freestyle mad man so I asked Matt if he would sit for his portrait for my project and get to know more about his life.

You can see my interview with Matt here on my YouTube channel.

It was great to get to know Matt and a connection that cant wait to work with in the future.

Gav Twist It Moto

"I have a strong desire to help people enjoy the sport of motocross racing just as much as I do."

At a young age, Gavin Heggs is making a significant impact in the motocross community. He operates a successful motocross coaching clinic on the Gold Coast, where he teaches both young and experienced riders how to ride hard, fast, and safely.

Despite being only 24 years old, Gavin has been running his business since he was 15 in Perth and made the bold decision during the pandemic to move his vision to the east coast.

I had the privilege of capturing the riders at his charity event 'Ride Safe' earlier this year, and it was evident that Gav’s work ethic is top-notch. Everyone agreed that he wholeheartedly dedicates himself to his riders and his passion for motocross.

As part of my project 'Immortals,' I had a chance to sit down with Gav, where he shared his journey from an up-and-coming rider to overcoming injuries and becoming a successful coach/entrepreneur. You can watch the interview on my YouTube channel.

It was m y pleasure to shoot Gav, and I look forward to seeing what exciting plans he has in store for the future.

Small Business Marketing with David

In a small business, you wear so many hats; CEO, marketer, salesman, manufacturer, service provider. You can be all these roles, and the task of marketing, and in particular, social media marketing, can just get left in the ‘did not get to this today’ basket. But there are those out there who have seen this problem and said ‘there must be a better way.’

Enter my friend David Schneider, CEO of Done Digital and a digital marketing god who blew my mind in our conversation about small business marketing and the strategies you can implement to streamline, automate, and de-stress the task of marketing your brand or business.

David's philosophy on automating personalized outreach at key moments in a client's engagement journey, in his view, is key to success in growing small businesses.

A new term to me and another key concept of David's is ‘Evergreen Content’. This is content that can stay relevant over months and even years and be reposted again and again, leaving you not constantly chasing your tail coming up with something new.

For our whole conversation, head to my YouTube channel.

It was my pleasure to have David and his daughter Lia sit for their portraits and share his knowledge.

Damn I Love Shinny Things!

I’ve always been a bit of a bower bird so shooting this project with Stephen Dibbs Jewelers was a real treat!

I wanted to photograph the pieces to show how they complement the beauty of the women that wear them. Each piece could not detract from the woman, nor the image become solely about the models.

I feel like the elegance of the twins Jordie and Bianca as well as the beautiful Jess translated as they wore the pieces with class and maturity. It also helped that the pieces from Stephen Dibbs are absolutely gorgeous. It was fun for everyone on set to mix and match each statement piece with a different look and complementing set of pieces to achieve each editorial.

I cant wait for another project like this as I have new ideas that need to hit the canvas!

Shooting Wide Portraits

I love shooting on wide lenses. Due to the nature of a wide lens you have to be very close to your subject to fill the frame. This closeness, where I’m usually 1-3 feet away translates in each image that cant be reproduced by cropping-in with a telephoto lens.

It also has an effect on my subject. At this close range I’m very much in their space. It forces them to have more of an intimate interaction and become comfortable with me rather than the stand-offish nature of standing back shooting with a longer lens.

Another characteristic of wide lenses is that they extenuate and warp the features of what ever is closest to the lens. I like having my sitters reach out, have there feet closer or have me shoot up at them and let these features become almost cartoonish.

Here are some of my favorite images from recent shoots that demonstrate this connection.

Adrenaline, Discipline and Consistancy

Ash Timmins is not your typical boxer. While many fighters focus solely on their craft inside the ring, Timmins has discovered a unique way to enhance his discipline and consistency by incorporating his love for skydiving, trail riding, and track bike riding into his training regimen. Ash is one of the established armature boxes at Fortitude Boxing Gym and with his pro debut looming he shared with me the way these exhilarating activities have become essential tools in his pursuit of boxing excellence.

Skydiving: Conquering Fear and Mental Strength

Skydiving, with its adrenaline-pumping freefall and breathtaking views, may seem like an unlikely complement to boxing. However, for Ash, it serves as a powerful exercise in conquering fear and strengthening mental fortitude.

In boxing, remaining calm and composed in the face of your opponent is paramount. Skydiving provides him with a unique opportunity to confront his fears head-on, teaching him to maintain focus and composure in high-pressure situations. The rush of freefalling from thousands of feet in the air challenges his ability to stay composed, training him to remain calm and make split-second decisions—an invaluable skill in the boxing ring.

Trail Riding: Building Endurance and Resilience

Trail riding, whether on a mountain bike or horseback, demands physical endurance, resilience, and adaptability. These qualities are directly transferable to the sport of boxing, where fighters must endure grueling training sessions and maintain their resilience during intense bouts.

By engaging in trail riding, Ash builds his cardiovascular endurance, strengthens his leg muscles, and improves his overall physical conditioning. Moreover, navigating challenging terrains and adapting to unexpected obstacles during trail rides sharpens his ability to react swiftly and adapt to changing situations—skills that are crucial when facing diverse opponents in the ring.

Track Bike Riding: Precision and Speed

Track bike riding is all about precision, speed, and maintaining control in high-speed environments. These attributes are integral to successful boxing, as boxers must possess exceptional hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, and the ability to execute precise movements.

By incorporating track bike riding into his training routine, Ash hones his coordination and reaction times, as well as his ability to control his body and movements at high speeds. The discipline required to maneuver a track bike with precision translates directly to the ring, where precise footwork, quick jabs, and well-timed combinations are essential.

While boxing is undoubtedly a demanding sport that requires focused training, Ash demonstrates the power of cross-training and the benefits of incorporating diverse activities into one's routine. By engaging in skydiving, trail riding, and track bike riding, he not only enhances his physical abilities but also nurtures his mental strength, resilience, and adaptability.

With Ash’s discipline and consistency combined with his relentless training routine, I am excited to track his journey as he progresses into the pro scene of Australian boxing.

Selfie Mode

Sometimes when I capture an image, the thought enters my mind: ‘Will this be the last image I ever take?’ ‘Is this the last image my subject will ever have taken of them?’ This somber thought reminds me of our mortality and brings me into the present moment.

As a photographer, I have the privilege of meeting the most amazing, interesting and talented individuals. However, I never have any images of myself with these incredible humans capturing those cherished memorys.

Inspired by a photographer I draw great inspiration from Platon, I sought to remedy this…Welcome the selfie button. A device typically used by landscape photographers to remotely trigger their shutter when taking long exposures, this piece of equipment has become a staple on every shoot.

At the end of a portrait session I always ask my subject if they would allow me to take a selfie with them to commemorate the occasion, this is always immediately met with a ‘hells yeah’ and a smile as I set up the device for us both to stand in front of the camera.

Drawing inspiration from 1990’s/2000’s punk albums I use a wide angle lens and get us to come in really close to emphasis the wide angle effect. With the screen flipped we can both see the results and it is instantly met with laughter, smiles and high fives.

This has become one of my favorite parts of my portrait sessions and cant wait to see who I may get to share the lens for a moment with in the future.

Cassie - Energy, Empathy, Connection

Holy ball of energy! Cassie was an absolute pleasure to photograph. Not only did she have a natural ease in front of the camera, but she shared some incredibly insightful and profound thoughts on training, human interaction and life.

When it came to human interaction, her wisdom on empathy and connection with clients left me looking inward on how I can better engage with my subjects to draw their true selves out. This is a key part to my portrait sessions and when I get the opportunity to engage with someone that is very proficient at this I try to absorb as much of their insight as possible.

Her contagious smile really sums up her energy, where you couldn’t help but feel uplifted when in her pleasance.

Due to some audio technical difficulties, I was not able to record our talks before the shoot but I cant wait to sit down with her again to record her deep perspectives on being a great coach and a great human.

Luke

Immortals Project

We all desire to be remembered. My goal is to help 100 professional and semi-professional athletes in capturing an image that truly immortalizes their achievements and legacy. Throughout history, various forms of art, monuments, photographs, institutions, and memorials have been created to immortalize the extraordinary accomplishments of the exceptional individuals among us—the gods who walk among men. These athletes captivate our imagination, embody the essence of human potential, and push the boundaries of what is possible.

This project is my homage to the artists, poets, and architects who have paved the way before me, as well as a tribute to the athletes who have touched our hearts. It aims to capture images that offer us a glimpse into their souls, a chance to witness the spark in their eyes that makes them truly great.

Before each of my portrait sessions, I make it a point to engage in a casual conversation with my subjects, seeking to understand their uniqueness and what defines them. It is my responsibility to capture their essence. As part of this project, I have distilled these conversations into three key questions:

1. Why do you do what you do?

2. What are you currently working on that excites you?

3. What would you tell your younger self?

I have been recording the answers to these questions and sharing them on my Instagram, hoping that others will come to realize three vital truths: these athletes, despite their exceptional abilities, are human beings with relatable experiences; they have encountered obstacles on their journey and managed to overcome them, proving that dreams can be realized.

I have had the privilege of meeting remarkable individuals and producing some of my best work thus far. I am tremendously excited about the future of this project and the opportunity to work with more extraordinary athletes.

If you are an athlete striving for greatness or know someone who is, it would be my honor to capture your portrait and reveal your true essence. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me or share this opportunity with someone you believe deserves to have their image captured.

Luke

Maia Maia

Don’t let the pretty face fool you… She’s a killer! As part of the Fortitude Boxing Amature Team Maia is an up-and-coming fighter with great skills and insight beyond her years. As a seemingly timid and gentle soul around the gym I though it may have been a challenge to get her to open up on her thoughts about boxing and life for my Immortals project but I was pleasantly surprised! She shared some amazing insight on what boxing means to her and the effect it has had on her personal/ school life and mindset. We also created some of my favorite images to date showing her sweet side and natural athleticism. I look forward to tracking Maia’s growth as a boxer and young lady.

You can see more of her interview on my Instagram @luke.sartor

Building Health & Fitness Forward

Trading punches with each others faces in sparing, Sean and I became friends and I was introduced to his very stoic philosophy on training, business and life. With his business partner James, these gentlemen run one of Brisbanes leading health and fitness facilities with a thriving member community built on happiness, progress and integrity. It was my pleasure to have these men sit for their portraits and gain an insight into there minds on coaching, business and life.

You can see more sound bites from these gents on my instagram @luke.sartor

Sean Carroll

‘Im someone that thrives on having a purpose, hard work and having a growth mindset, so when there is ever some adversity to be had I find a way through.’

James Batey

‘By improving peoples health, wellness and relationship around food, mindset and body can leave them in a place of true belief.’

Updating Mr. Graeme Connors Image

When I was contacted by Graeme’s son Damien about updating the country music legends image I nearly exploded. I’m not a country music guy but it’s Graeme Connors! I was super stoked and set up a meeting with Graeme to see how I could help him.

Upon meeting Graeme it was immediately clear that this was a man of old school class, deep thought and charm. A true artist and gentleman. Being from the same town we exchanged some stories and connected over our mutual love of different art mediums. Learning about his music and how it is a ‘thinking man’s’ country music, it gave me a new appreciation for his approach to his musical craft.

I suggested to Graeme that I was exploring a new Bold, Raw, Minimal style and thought that it would suit his sophistication and charm in these later years of his career. He was immediately in board.

We shot a collection of images in studio here in Brisbane and at a cool old rustic fishing shed in Mackay. I was stoked with the results and was humbled with Graeme’s response to our shooting session and outcome. ‘I’ve done a lot of photoshoots in my time, but this was the first time I felt truly comfortable and at ease with my photographer. I see these images and they a truly me’.

It was my absolute pleasure to shoot with Graeme and his wife Lyn.

Have a ripper day!

Luke