Summer is a busy time!

January and February are always busy months for work, and this year was no exception. On the 17th of January I was given the honour of shooting the rehearsal images for Ben MacEllen’s new play The Placeholder. Funny, sharp, and deeply human, The Placeholder explores how feminism, friendship, and chosen family collide – and how love is tested when those closest to us change in ways we never expected. I originally met Ben in 2022 through the Midsumma Pathways mentorship for artists with disabilities and we’ve been mates since. Ben is a phenomenal writer and if The Placeholder ever comes to a town near you, please go see it.

Still from The Placeholder rehearsals. Image by Teague Leigh.

One day later Midsumma Festival started with their Carnival, a whole day of outside entertainment full of stalls, music and performances. This was the first of eight events I photographed for the festival and I’m not going to lie – eight is probably the most events I can take on in a space of three weeks. It left me absolutely spent, yet so fulfilled.

Dandrogyny. Image by Teague Leigh.

I photographed the TiPS Program Showcase on the 20th. TiPS is a speaker’s program, and the showcase is the culmination of all the participant’s hard work.

Renee Thompson. Image by Teague Leigh.

MoCo: Summer Break was up next on the 24th. This was a showcase of First Nation’s upcoming drag artists.

Mora Money. Image by Teague Leigh.

Then on the 28th January I had my own exhibition opening for “Reflections of a Decaying World”, my deconstructed mirror ball installation. Bump in on the previous day was not without its stressors: two mirror balls fell and I had to fix them in the final hour, though one has been damaged beyond repair, I still got it to hang. The exhibition was held by Midsumma at the Meat Market Stables alongside art from the Deep Sea Astronauts. We didn’t get the lighting we were hoping for, however I am told people were visiting the venue for the sole purpose of seeing the installation, so I am happy. The exhibition ran for four days, and I sat the gallery most days.

Reflections of a Decaying World. Image by Suzanne Balding.

No rest for this little black duck. I photographed the Midsumma Art Award on the 29th alongside fellow photographer Suzanne Balding. The art prize is one of the most prestigious queer art prizes in Australia. Whilst photographing the event I got to meet some of my art idols, such as the winner of the prize this year – J Davies.

Midsumma Art Award. Image by Teague Leigh.

To finish off the month, on the 31st January, I photographed the extraordinary event – Midsumma Matters: Queer Joy, a comedy evening with the theme of Queer Joy featuring celebrities such as Narelda Jacobs and Kirsty Webeck and hosted by Nelly Thomas.

Tina Del Twist. Image by Teague Leigh.

The very next day was Midsumma’s Pride March, which is always a hectic day, but one full of joy.

Pride March. Image by Teague Leigh.

Then I had some respite before the next event on the 7th February, which was the reading of new Filipino play, Mr Big aka Tatay A Transwoman and That Tiring Tune! by renowned playwright and actress, Dax Carnay-Hanrahan.

Mr Big. Image by Teague Leigh.

The following day I spent four hours photographing VIC Pride, an all-day street party that celebrates performers and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Kevin Silvester. Image by Teague Leigh.

After finishing all my editing (even when my laptop screen ate it), I had a bit of a rest from events and photographing anything. Then a brief nature trip to Cannons Creek Boardwalk, on the 23rd February, with my support worker was the tonic I needed.

Cannons Creek Boardwalk. Image by Teague Leigh.

Now the next event I worked technically should be saved for the next blog, but I’ll cheekily squeeze it in here, so you don’t have to wait as it was on the 1st of March – the Yarra Sculpture Gallery Summer Residency exhibition opening. You may recall that I photographed this event last year as well and have been a recipient of this six-week residency, so it holds a special place in my heart.

Summer Residency exhibition. Image by Teague Leigh.

I would normally go on a small trip after working so hard to refresh my brain, however I am wanting another tattoo by artist Lee Stain, so have postponed going anywhere for now. As always, I thank you for continuing to follow me. I’m still one lens away from having the perfect kit for event and landscape work. With your boundless help I will get there before the end of 2026. Please share my Ko-fi details with your friends, and if you want to purchase any of my work, head to my website.

Question of the month: What drives you?

Be kind to yourselves, each other, and the planet.

T.Leigh