Image Credit: Jane Fitzgerald

In The Studio: Step into the creative space of live music and portrait photographer, Lucinda Goodwin

When she's not navigating the trenches of a photo pit, strapped down with 30kg's of gear, she's in her colourful Ryrie Street haven.

While her face is often covered by a camera lens, Lucinda Goodwin is a face that is incredibly recognisable in the Australian music scene. As a photographer in live music and portrait across digital and film, Goodwin has garnered a significant portfolio, shooting the stage at festivals, concerts, gigs, and on location. This year, she took the jump and set up her own studio in the heart of Geelong, bringing her signature bubbliness, vibrancy and bold visions to life.

In our new series, In The Studio, we take you into space of Victorian creators, unpacking their craft and getting comfortable in their creative zones. Join us as we enter the studio with Lucinda Goodwin.

Keep up to date with all things arts, exhibitions and stage here.

In The Studio with Lucinda Goodwin

 

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A post shared by LUCINDA GOODWIN | MELBOURNE MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHER (@lucindagoodwinphotography)

How long have you been developing your skills as a photographer?

16 years

How did you discover your passion for photography in the music space?

I was drawn to the camera at 12-13 years old, always wanting to use the film camera on family holidays or on school camps. When I was old enough to go to gigs a few friends would drag me to their shows for soundcheck and the transition to capturing music was born for me. Instead of going to schoolies after year 12 I bought a ticket to Falls Festival and took my dads camera. The rest, as they say, is history.

What have been the biggest milestones in your arts career to date?

Last year I won the Australian Women In Music Award for Photography which was such a big achievement and public acknowledgment of my body of work so it’s something I’m super grateful for.

 

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A post shared by LUCINDA GOODWIN | MELBOURNE MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHER (@lucindagoodwinphotography)

What is your favourite shot or series that you have created and why?

I think the pyro shot from the Northlane show at the Forum is one of my favourites; it’s a wide shot taken from the sound desk and it has the beautiful arch of the Forum stage with all this pyro going off between the stage and the crowd. It has a lot of energy in it!

 

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What has been the biggest challenge you face as an artist and how are you pushing through that barrier?

I think moving into full-time freelance; it’s work-life balance. It’s so easy to just work 24/7 but I think having a studio space is helping to separate work and relaxing for me which is very much needed.

Where has your work been, or is your work currently, displayed?

My work has been in many-a gallery, street art installation, projection and in the pages of Forte Mag. I have an upcoming show in the Ballarat Foto Biennale.

 

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Tell us about your studio space! What are all of the elements that make your studio functional and inspirational for developing your art?

My studio space is only a month old! So it’s still very much blossoming into my perfect space. In saying that when I first moved into the space I had a few key areas I wanted to split the space into for both myself and the client to utilise. The main area is the shooting space with a backdrop system to hang large backdrop paper rolls. I often use paper rolls to create my portraits as they come in so many fun colours. I also have a handmade storage system (thanks Dad) that houses them when not in use, in rainbow order – that kind of lends itself to a background all of its own. Also within the shooting space you will find a variety of stools and chairs to utilise in shoots as well as the trusty tether table on wheels to plug my laptop into whilst on a shoot to show the client the images in real time. The back of the studio is a chill out lounge area with coffee table books and some seating to hang out and have a cuppa or relax before shoots. A hair and make-up station is along the back wall with a mirror for people to come get ready within the studio. It also doubles as a place to work when not in shooting mode. The most important thing for me was storage when I moved in; as a photographer we have so many little random bits and pieces. I have a large cabinet with a host of lighting modifiers, tools and equipment as well as 2 secondhand road cases I picked up on Facebook marketplace to turn into the perfect light stand storage. Besides all the practical elements I have plants and little pieces of decor that make me happy and create a space that feels like me.

 

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What does a typical day of creating art look like for you both in the studio and out of the studio?

Typically in the studio I will start early, I’m inherently a morning person! On a shoot day I will get in about an hour or two before the client to prep backgrounds, set up lighting and make sure everything is ready to go when they arrive. If I am doing a more admin heavy day I will set myself up in one of the workspaces and do editing, emails, invoicing, and all the business things. Being so close to Little Malop Street, I love walking down for lunch or coffee to take a break! I also still work a lot of the time on location so typically I’ll head to the studio to gather any gear and then head off to there, that could range from event coverage, production stills on theatre shows, portraits on locations, or a live show! Every day is so different, and I kind of love that about my job.

How would you characterise the arts ecosystem in regional Victoria? 

I think regional Victoria’s arts scene is so interesting and diverse, especially in Geelong. So many interesting installations and showcases, ways to display works, and opportunities. I feel regional towns sometimes have more creative avenues to display works, in shop windows, in street ally’s etc

 

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How has being based in regional Victoria elevated your arts practice? What kind of support have you received?

I think of it as having a superpower, it means that I have been able to develop an arts practice surrounded by other people doing that same thing throughout my teens and twenties and have been fortunate to have a core group of people to create with. When I speak to other photographers in major cities they lack that connection to truly grassroots artists whereas coming from a regional town, those people are not only clients but your mates.

What does the rest of 2025 look like for you as a creator? Do you have any upcoming exhibitions or events in the works?

The rest of 2025 looks very busy for me, I have some festivals lined up, an exhibition at the Ballarat Foto Biennale and a lot of work to be released that I’ve been very excited to show the world. But hopefully a whole lot more portrait work in studio!

 

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A post shared by LUCINDA GOODWIN | MELBOURNE MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHER (@lucindagoodwinphotography)

Where can we find you?

Insta: @lucindagoodwinphotography

TikTok: lucindagoodwinphoto

Website: www.lucindagoodwinphotography.com