Something I really pride myself on is the fact I donate Blood. Today the staff at the Red Cross were happy to let me photograph my donation so I could share it with you.
It’s not every day you can donate blood, not everyone has the ability and not everyone ticks the correct boxes to pass the tests. I can say I’m able to donate and have done so for a while now.

My blood type is B Negative (B-) which takes up approximately 2% of Australian Blood types. Being that it’s such a rare type, I think it’s imperative that I do what I can to help people in my blood type as we’re such a small group; Albeit not the smallest we only take up a VERY small portion of the blood types when compared to the other groups. Who knows some day I may find myself in need of blood. Whilst some people have a fear of needles, I’m quite the opposite; I’m fascinated by them. Not sure what has driven me to become fascinated by the little blighters but something about them intrigues me so thoroughly. I have asked multiple times if I can learn to but the catheter in myself but they’ve declined every time… One day I say, one day.

I was asked by the staff to not photograph them and some certain elements of the donation however they were happy to let me photograph what I’m presenting to you here.
The process begins pretty easily! You get to sit outside the donor van and enjoy a cup of cordial and a chat with the assistant who is outside. Today has been windy and wet so I think it scared people off coming down.

The first step! Answer some simple questions! I’ve been a good boy so I’m allowed to proceed after this point!

Once you’re done with the questions, they take you into the donor van and ask you some more serious questions, check your blood pressure, spike your finger and test your blood quickly. Next is to walk down onto the nice little bed, lay down and let them work their magic. You are asked to squeeze a stress ball to lift your veins/arteries to make it easier to tap into your stream of blood. Guess work isn’t something you want with a large gauge needle.

Once the veins have lifted they prep the catheter and let you know you’re about to feel a bit of a sting

The next part is the “bee sting” which is the catheter piercing your skin and entering your vein or capillary; I’m not sure which they tap into. The feeling isn’t a bad one at all, a lot of people claim it to be quite painful though I find it a simple and quite painless process.

As the needle slips in, a drop of blood surfaces from time to time

The first bag to fill is the tiny one you see here, they take 3 vials from it and place them in the kidney shaped little container you see down by my legs.

After the process is done, the self retracting catheter is taken out.

The collected blood – 600mL of DNA rich MattL juice is presented and bar-coded. My number today is #8555822; A very personalised experience hehe.

After applying pressure to the spot the catheter is removed from, you are taped and bandaged to stop you from leaking.

Now for the best part… THE TREATS!

I hope this has given you some insight into Blood donning. I cant suggest enough that you all give blood where possible! If you want to become a blood donor, please read more here. Please consider, because the life you save tomorrow could be that of a friend or family member.

I hope you’re still conscious by the time you get to this text!!

Recently I had the sheer joy of photographing two of my close friends, Nick and Sarah. Sarah is jumping on a very big jet plane soon and departing for just over a year in the UK for work; Nick however will be remaining in Australia whilst Sarah is gone.
I was thrilled at the idea of taking some photos of the cute couple together as something for them to have as reminder of each whilst they’re a world apart. Quite often I walk into a portrait session with all my ideas in mind and for no particular reason on this day I was very open, unplanned and open to ideas. We literally jumped into a car and drove wherever the road took us and we ended up in a few great locations. I’m so glad they opened up to me and allowed me to capture them as they are.

Best of Luck Sarah! I look forward to hearing about your trip! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

Today a friend asked me what my favourite image is. I had to really think about it and it was hard for so many reasons. I had not really thought about it as much as I probably should have. I will share my images with you however I will expand on this.

A great images isn’t always about telling a story, it’s not always about getting a point across or proving something, it’s much more than that. For me a great image is something that excites me when I capture it and compels me to keep shooting. It doesn’t have to have amazing composition or be sharp as a tac but it has to be powerful and controlled.

This year I judged at the 2010 Australian Institute of Professional Photography, Australian Professional Photography Awards. It was my first year judging and over the course of the 3 days of judging I heard someone say the words “I’ve seen this 100 times over and it looks bland and uninspiring.”, or something to that effect. It made me think about my works and how I find a unique concept and subject and try and create something from that. When I think about others works and judging I like to think that even if a subject that’s been photographed hundreds of times over is shot very well, it should always grab my attention, as someone has seen something an created a powerful image from it. I might add, one final thing which I find an important key is finding some inspiration and channelling it into creating something unique and new for yourself. Be inspired by those around you and try not to limit yourself and your mindset on how to shoot something.

Here is one of my all time favourite images that I photographed.

My First Urban shot. Shot on the 28/06/06 – My 3rd frame of the scene, my first exposed frame (shot 2 blanks before because I made a mistake)

For me, this image is the start of my career, the start of my passion, the first time I photographed my urban work. I had no idea what I was doing, I was young, didn’t understand my camera and was playing. This image helped define me to pursue my urban work and create some great images. I just walked in with no expectations, no real consideration on how to shoot this style of subject. I just guessed. I find these days I analyse more of what I shoot and plan out my works so I can better craft and control my images and make a more detailed and powerful image… From this basis the next image fell into place, however I guessed with it too… I just knew what I wanted to do and had no idea how to do it. The first time I shot here I was excited, thrilled and when the LCD popped up with the result of my image I was excited my blood was pumping, I was seriously anxious. I was so excited I had create this using light painting, something I didn’t understand or comprehend, all I knew is that it worked.

“Deathstars” – 2008 AIPP APPA’s “Gold Distinction Award” – Shot April 2007

This was another time I got anxious and excited when it popped up. For me, I think this is the realisation you’ve done something great for yourself, something you love and like.

So I put it to you, What makes a good image in your eyes?

I’d love to hear some thoughts on this, and I would love to see your favourite images too.

Ps; Keep posted, I will be doing a small tutorial on light painting in the coming weeks.

Fashion Shoot with Matt Leasegang from Event Photos on Vimeo.

Thanks to Pat Brunet from EventPhotos.com.au for assisting on the day and providing the Video.

Recently I had a local Brisbane designer contact me and photograph her collection for entry into the MBFF Graduate of the Year section of the festival.
Here is what we came up with.

Shoot info for those interested.
Canon 5D2 / 70-200 2.8 (Taped at 100mm)
Innovatronix Explorer XT SE
Alienbees B1600 (640ws) with Chimera 3″ Octabox

Model: Fleur Templeton @ Dallys
Make-Up & Hair: Christian Alexander
Designer & Stylist: Samantha Campbell
Assistant: Pat Brunet

Click the images to see a higher res version.

A video highlighting the photographic coverage from the day will be online soon, so keep checking back.

Hello Again for the second time today!

It’s late notice I know, but I have an exhibition starting tomorrow that I would love you to attend…

In celebration of the diverse and exciting culture around the beautiful village of Stones Corner, for the
very first time, the Stones Corner Street Party will explode onto the street on Thursday 10th June 2010
from 3.30pm.

Free to the public and to make room for a mega-goodtime, the main street of Stones Corner (Logan Road)
from Old Cleveland Road through to Jeavons Lane, will be closed to traffic allowing the area to come alive
with everything from Belly-dancing, Punjabi Dancing, African Henna Tattooing and Zulu Dancing to Ice
Sculpting, Choirs exotic food tastings, music and more.

Headlining the brilliant Street Party Concert will be indi/electro sensations Tin Can Radio, timeless
alternative-country and folk favourites Lion Island and indi-popsters Charlie Mayfair.

Imagine an entertainment precinct from 3.30pm when the kids finish school right through till around
9.00pm – the Stones Corner Street Party will include plenty of children’s activities including art and dancing,
The Brisbane Live iPhone Orchestra (BLIP), visual and sound art installations and market & food stalls.
Stones Corner, since it’s early beginnings in the late 1800’s, has always been home to a diverse range of
cultures and people. This Street Party celebrates all that is great about the Stones Corner and surrounding
communities and is supported by the The Stones Corner Community and Economic Development
Association (SCCEDA) and the Brisbane City Council, Creative City Initiative.

Featured amoungst the street party is a set of rising star Photographers, and I’m proud to announce I was one of the 3 selected for the event.

I will be exhibiting four Canvas prints which are available for sale privately. Should you be interested in a limited run, please email me via my contact details

March 12 came by way too fast, and with a flurry of donations the day before helping us total over $2600.00 In the following day, the donations jumped over $400.00 to a total of $3134.50 for the Leukaemia Foundation’s “World’s Greatest Shave”.

Donations still active at this link – HERE!!!

Though no doubt, you came here for one reason and that is to see the result, and so I present to you, the new Matt Leasegang

Click to Enlarge!

A massive thanks to the following people;
Everton Park Hair and Beauty, for providing a place to shave, 3 wonderful girls to help shave some heads and for offering us help on a day of full bookings!
The Diecast Model Shop, for putting on a sausage sizzle and providing some food for us
Digilab Pro, For providing the poster prints for us for the event
My Friends, Sandra, Seb, Jack (Fellow shavee), Greg (Fellow shavee) and Deb. For offering me some support and for making the shave more enjoyable
My wonderful and ever tolerating girlfriend, Lauren. For continually putting up with me! Thanks babe
Pat from Event Photos, for offering his time to take some photos and provide them for me, You’re a good mate and I appreciate your help!

The day started well with Greg being the first to be shaven as he had to get to work, followed closely by Jack and finished off with myself. The process was simple for the two other guys, a simple shave, though for myself it was an arduous task. Firstly combing my hair, plaiting it, and then cutting the plaits to ensure that the hair could be donated. Whilst the shaving was under way Allan Leasegang from The Diecast Model Shop provided us with some food and the peak hour traffic offered some interesting reactions. Soon after my shave was complete Sandra and I took to the streets with tins rounding up donations in the peak hour traffic, donations were high and people were loving the enthusiasm of Sandra which entailed a series of chants, dances and songs which helped in the donation process. After some collections we decided to finally finish my shave and take my head down to skin, this was a long and very time consuming process. All in all, I had a fantastic time and am stoked to have raised $3134.50.

So now, I present the shots from the day!!! (Click to Enlarge)

Hey All,

I’m proud to announce, that I’m participating in the WORLDS GREATEST SHAVE!!! I urge everyone to come down and watch me lose 5 years of hair! All proceeds go to charity and we will be doing many great things on the day!

I’m hoping to raise $5000.00 to help out!!

The funds we raise will help the Leukaemia Foundation to provide practical care and support to patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders, so be assured, it’s for a great cause!

I’ve had my hair since July 2005 and have been growing it in the dreams of getting dreadlocks, but having seen Lou Dare who I recently photographed, for the Worlds Greatest Shave, I decided I should do something to help charity, and here we are!

Donation Page: HERE

Below are the Event Details where you can witness the shaving and come and enjoy the festivities.

Date: Friday March 12
Time: 7:30am Shave Start
Where: Night Owl/Subway, Cnr Southpine Rd and Stafford Rd, Everton Park
What: Head Shaving!
Why: Charity
Target: $5000.00

We will be supplying a sausage sizzle at the Diecast Model Shop opposite The Shave Location.

Current Event Sponsors
Everton Park Hair and Beauty – Donating the wonderful girls to assist in the shaving of Myself and Greg Morgan, from Digilab
The Diecast Model Shop – Sausage Sizzle
Night Owl and Subway – Use of their car parks for the shaving

Many thanks to those who have already donated their time and money to help out on this project, Please keep popping back for a list of current persons who have donated!

Banked Funds – $134.50

Current Total: Over $3134.50

A huge thank you to all the people who have spared money for a great cause!

Please remember, every cent counts, even as simple as two dollars! And remember, it’s Tax Deductible!

Yeah, I don't mind posing for a photo. Thanks to Guy Dannenberg for the help

And last but not least… This is what I look like!!! More pics coming soon
Note: I was clowning about mid shoot for “The Space Cowboy”, Guinness World Record Holder for Most Swords Swallowed at one time, Blog post coming soon!

Woohoo! Look Mum, I'm flying!

So please, get involved, come down, and have a good time!!!

In the past few weeks, I’ve been shooting like crazy, trying to enhance my portfolio with some new images to help refine my style, that said recently I had the pleasure of shooting Ghostboy With Golden Virtues.

Ghostboy with Golden Virtues (GBGV) are avant-garde art rock brutes!

Flanked by multi instrumentalist chanteuses Skye Staniford & Hannah Jane, acclaimed spoken ‘weird’ artist & vocalist Ghostboy delivers his special blend of antagonism & sensuality with precise, almost sadistic delight. Dark horses Robbie Zawada, Paul Daly & Dan McNaulty (from We All Want To) round out the sound with electric guitars, bass, violin & drums; tap-dancing minx Loren Skyring sprinkles the voodoo dust on the edges.

GBGV pants-off-punk-kabaret-músik is not for the faint hearted. These underground creatures seduce audiences direct into a world of Berlin-style rock ‘n’ roll debauchery. Infamous for their exploding live shows – drawing on elements of performance art rock & experimental cabaret – GBGV have graced stages to critics acclaim in recent years at Woodford Folk, Byron Bay Writers, Melbourne Fringe Festival Hub & Brisbane Cabaret festivals as well as around Brisbane @ venues such as the Zoo, The Hi-Fi, The Tivoli, & The Globe.

Their debut album ENTER features songs co-written by the unique pairing of spoken weird singer Ghostboy and singer/band leader Skye Staniford. ENTER includes the erotic duende of lead single “Wolfish” – which has received multiple airplay on rage and Triple J – as well as 2nd single Love Me .

You can find their music here

Their album ‘Enter’ has the official launch on the 27th of Feb at the Hi-Fi Bar in Brisbane. I suggest you come along, young and old, it’s an event not to miss!! Info here

A big thanks to The Troubadour for allowing us to use the venue.
I’ll let the photos do the talking!