Robert Knapman Photography

21/03/2026

So happy to see this story in Bear World Magazine profiling photographers. I'm in there amongst a terrific line up of talented folks documenting the community. Thanks Luka Musicki xx

Photographers are the unsung heroes of the bear community and it's time to celebrate them! 📸🐻

Bear World Mag's Luka Musicki has put together a brilliant spotlight on the photographers across Australia who have been capturing bear history for years from Sydney Mardi Gras to bear runs, wet furr nights, pride marches and modelling shoots.

From Ann-Marie in Sydney with 20+ years documenting the LGBTIQA+ community, to Evan Fowler Philips in Melbourne with his Masters in photography, to emerging talent Dylan Hodgon these are the people making us all look fabulous.

And if you're looking for a photographer for your next bear event, wedding or shoot, they're all available for bookings! 🙌

Meet them all at the link 👉 https://buff.ly/CLORueY

22/11/2024

The Inaugural Carapark Carnivale event last weekend with Sam's Caravan - a 1950’s caravan converted into a fully functional mobile venue based on Yuin Country, far south coast NSW. On Sunday, Sam's Caravan was at Navigate Arts Tanja for a sensational community afternoon of music and food (Tin Cantina and The Keg and Kettle), nestled in the greenery of the old Tanja Church. Incredible artists including → This Way Orkestra ←. A time for the soul. Thanks Sam and the team for the opportunity to come along with my camera🙂

17/09/2024

A few of my faves from Trikone Australia's 10 year anniversary Q***r Bollywood event Bar Bombay at The Factory Theatre Marrickville Sydney at end of August. Big hearts big love big thanks! 💓💓💓

02/09/2024

I've been photographing Trikone Australia's events and parties in Sydney for many years now. It's always fun, always big hearted and always sensational. This was Bar Bombay's 10th anniversary Bollywood party at The Factory Theatre in Marrickville Sydney. And it delivered. Here's a taste. Thank you to all you amazing humans 💓💓💓

27/02/2024

Shimmer Sydney Mardi Gras 2024 - Part IV:
In 2023 the Shimmer Project was launched during Mardi Gras and Sydney World Pride/Pride Amplified. It documented LGBTIQA+ elders' oral histories and was supported by the Darlinghurst Business Partnership, the Gender Centre and ACON's Love Project - Living Older Visibly and Engaged.

As we swing into the Mardi Gras weekend for 2024, Im posting images and recorded stories (with permission). Shimmer is about remembering the past, celebrating right now and imagining our q***r futures. Shimmer brings the lives of our elders, the people that brought us to this moment, into our universal present.

Lyn is a Doctor and lives in Sydney. Recently and sadly, Lyn lost her beautiful partner Linda after 4 decades together. In this recording she talks about the challenges of growing up Chinese in Australia. Lyn was born in the 50's and growing up she knew she had to get tough to survive. Her grandparents were early Chinese pioneers in 1880. Lyn was inspired during the vanguard of feminist activism and went on to challenge and change the face of ballroom dance in Australia to include same s*x couples. Lyn is passionate about the "new bright sparks" of young people and has a deep commitment to the rights of first nations people. "We are on this earth and we have to work together." This image is of Lyn and her dance teacher Talysa. Thanks Lyn, and Talysa💓

You can listen to Lyn's story here if you don't have a QR reader:
https://soundcloud.com/shimmernsw/lyn/s-jSJGnUzdGwZ?si=9d89fbd8df324cc0951895047a97aa93

Qtopia Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras Australian Q***r Archives Sydney Pride Festival 2024 78ers and Friends NSW Seniors Festival

22/02/2024

Shimmer Sydney Mardi Gras 2024 - Part III:
In 2023 I launched the Shimmer Project for Mardi Gras and Sydney World Pride/Pride Amplified. It was a NSW wide inclusive social documentary LGBTIQA+ elders oral histories project and exhibition. It was supported by the Darlinghurst Business Partnership, Gender Centre and ACON's Love Project - Living Older Visibly and Engaged.

Right now, Sydney is in the thick of Mardi Gras - remembering the past, celebrating the now and imagining the future. Young and older folks will come out for the first time, kiss, celebrate. These Shimmer images and recordings (posted with permission) brings the lives of our elders, the people that brought us to this moment, into our universal present.

Wojak lives in Lismore. They share their thoughts of aging into their q***r trans body, their neuro diverse experience, keeping lines of communication open with young people, non-monoculture q***r partying, ageism in dancefloor communities, and their hope for change. They say its simple: "Keep dancing to age gracefully...and disgracefully". Thank you Wojak - see you on the dancefloor!💓

You can listen to Wojak's story here if you don't have a QR reader:
https://soundcloud.com/shimmernsw/wojak/s-zR2w956URzI?si=780e8633b0754800bc7ad729da82a5f8&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Qtopia Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras Australian Q***r Archives The Tropical Fruits Inc Sydney Pride Festival 2024 78ers and Friends group Love Project - Living Older Visibly and Engaged

21/02/2024

The Shimmer LGBTIQA+ elder portrait photography and oral histories project is coming back. Are you ready to Shimmer!?

In creating the Shimmer 2023 exhibition for Sydney World Pride, I had the privilege of meeting and recording the stories of an incredible group of people. I learnt a lot, laughed, cried and worked to honour those folks voices and experiences. See posts on this page.

I’m now building on that project to reach more LGBTIQA+ elders/seniors in 2024. Here's a link to a 2023 blog post on my website for more info:
https://www.robertknapmanphotography.com/blog/sydney-world-pride-2023-creative-projects

The new collection of portraits and recorded stories will be different from the Sydney World Pride collection. There’ll be more focus on the lives and stories of folks over 65, as well as a greater effort to reach people living in all parts of NSW.

I’m currently in Sydney for Mardi Gras till 4 March (for the festival and photography work). If you're interested in Shimmer II, I'd love to hear from you, or anyone you know. If the time's right I can also arrange a photo shoot and a recorded conversation with you while I'm here.

I've been photographing Australian LGBTIQ+ communities for over 15 years, including several years as a community event and social documentary photographer in Sydney. For many more years I've worked in the human services across the country with different marginalised Australian communities. I currently work in child protection on the far south coast of NSW where I live with my life partner and 2 conure parrots.

Rob 💓
Robert Knapman Photography

Love Project - Living Older Visibly and Engaged NSW Seniors Festival Sydney Pride Festival 2024 Qtopia Sydney WorldPride 2023Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras Australian Q***r Archives 78ers and Friends group 78ers and Friends

This is a blog about my work, the parts I get excited about and the work of other photographers I love.

20/02/2024

Shimmer 2024 - Part II:

In 2023 I launched the Shimmer Project for Mardi Gras and Sydney World Pride/Pride Amplified - a social documentary LGBTIQA+ elders oral histories project and Sydney exhibition. Right now, Sydney is again getting ready to commune, celebrate and party for the Sydney Mardi Gras 2024. Many will experience Mardi Gras for the first time ever. So, I'm posting some Shimmer images and recordings (with permission) to bring the lives of our elders into this present moment.

Terresa is from the UK and settled in Leichardt, Sydney (a Leichardt Le***an). She was a mother when le***an mothers were alienated from school systems and communities. She's also a grandmother and embraces her extended q***r family. She founded 55 Uppity and is a passionate defender of indigenous rights and voices. Thank you Terresa 💓

You can also listen to Terresa's story here if you don't have a reader: https://soundcloud.com/shimmernsw/teresa/s-Xl3katQMHBb?si=32526426cc80470ab2a2c1e4e39ed892

Qtopia Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras Sydney Gay And Le***an Madi Gras ***rarchives Terresa Savage

19/02/2024

Trigger warning: police violence, familial violence, s3x work

For Mardi Gras and Sydney World Pride/Pride Amplified in 2023, I launched Shimmer - a social documentary LGBTIQA+ elders oral histories project and Sydney exhibition.

Over the next 2 weeks as we get ready to commune, celebrate and party again for the Sydney Mardi Gras (Feb/March), I'm posting the images and recordings (with subject's permission) on social media to bring the lives of these elders into this present moment.

Franc Hancock was there for the first Mardi Gras in 1978. This is his telling of his life and what it was like back then and in 1978 Sydney. Thank you Franc.

You can listen here if you don't have a QR Reader: https://on.soundcloud.com/jTj2Y

Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras Sydney Pride Festival 2024 Qtopia

07/10/2023

Congratulations Jaiver Alexis Rendon Diaz for this beautiful image as the People's Choice Winner in the Australian Life Photography Competition, + all the other entrants! It's a fun and joyous image and one of my top faves from the comp!

Congratulations to Jaiver Alexis Rendon Diaz for this absolute stunner of a shot that has been voted as the People's Choice Winner in the Australian Life Photography Competition

The image, taken in Millers Point, shows a young couple sharing a light-hearted moment while one makes a call on a public phone.

“It's kind of special that someone uses a phone booth. I believe this photo speaks for itself,” the photographer said.

Diaz will receive an OM System professional pack valued at over $2,300 after winning the competition.

You can check out all the Australian Life photos down at Customs House Square in Circular Quay. The exhibition wraps up on Sunday 8 October.

FInd out more: https://city.sydney/nm5