There's a lot of venues and locations throughout Melbourne that are used for corporate events, conferences, parties and even portrait shoots. Some make our lives as photographers easier, especially when we're asked to photograph important events, than others where we make the best out of a lousy situation.
Ideally, though, from a photographer's perspective, an event venue; whether it's hosting a conference or corporate event, or whether it's hosting a party should photograph well. Likewise a location used for a portrait shoot. It's also important from the perspective of event attendees.
Here's a list of locations and venues in Melbourne, that have either hosted events we've shot, where we've done portrait shoots, or otherwise utilised for photography or film projects, that makes our lives as photographers a lot easier. In no particular order:
10. RACV City Club
501 Bourke St, Melbourne CBD. Website.
We've shot conferences at RACV City Club during the day. Unlike some of the other entries on this list, there's no thrills here, there's no flashy stage lights or decorative lighting (at least during the day), however you do have ample natural light due to the event space having wide open windows across two of its sides and as far as making the life of a photographer easy, this venue ranks highly. Thanks to the abundance of natural light, you can shoot from multiple angles with ease, and it makes it very easy to get candid shots of event attendees too.
See more: Court Network 2024 Victorian Volunteer Conference.
9. Malthouse Geelong
23 Lowe St, Corio (Geelong), VIC
Malthouse Geelong comes from the same crew that brought us Powerhouse, a street art precinct in Geelong's north. Like Powerhouse, which is also a fantastic photography venue which transformed an abandoned power station into a street art venue; Malthouse transforms an abandoned distillery in Corio into a street art venue. Much like Hosier Lane, Malthouse works extremely well for an alternative or grungy feel for photography or film projects.
8. Black Spark Cultural Centre
126A Gladstone Ave, Northcote VIC. Website.
The heart of Melbourne's radical political scene (the northern suburbs) features Black Spark Cultural Centre, a community space and library that plays host to numerous bespoke events, exhibitions, political launches, and more. From a photographer's perspective - it very much has a homebody vibe: warm colours, warm lighting and an overall relaxing atmosphere. It works extremely well for more low-key events. If the space is being used for a film shoot, it works well for that too.
7. Pride of our Footscray Community Bar
Level 1, 86-88 Hobkins St, Footscray VIC. Website.
Pride of our Footscray is another venue with an alternative, artsy, and as you can imagine, colourful vibe which makes for a fantastic backdrop for a venue; and it photographs well too. It also fosters inclusive values too. In their own words: "Pride is a cooperative effort that aims to be a welcoming and safe space for all individuals, particularly those who identify as part of the LGBTIQA+ community."
6. Federation Square, Melbourne CBD
This one being included in a top 10 might be controversial given how derided as an eyesore Fed Square has been over the years. But much like the "eyesore" that exists in its present form, we make the most of it, and it also exists on this list because in our view, it isn't that bad. Fed Square plays host to a variety of different events throughout the year: from cultural events, parties, celebrations and concerts, and it absolutely photographs well. The stage lighting is solid and the ambient lighting during the afternoon is also generally great, but it absolutely pops at night.
See more: Palestine National Day 2024 at Fed Square.
5. Hosier Lane, Melbourne CBD
This is a spot that sure makes many a photographer's top 10. This is particularly so if you're after an alternative or grungy vibe for your photoshoot. Not only can you get a variety of shots in Hosier Lane itself, the surrounding lane ways can also be used to great effect to add variety to a shoot without having to move very far. The only disadvantage is you may be contending with a steady stream of tourists, depending on the day and time of day.
4. L’amour Reception
85-95 Henry St, St Albans VIC. Website.
We've shot a few birthday parties at Lamour Reception and it's quite an extravagant venue for Melbourne's solidly working class north western suburbs. The highlights? It's bathed with solid lighting, particularly in the foyer and in the dance floor area which is illuminated by programmable chandeliers and hanging decorative lights which is a spectacular sight on its own. The times we've been there, the lighting on the dance floor area cycled through a rainbow assortment of hues, which not only gives happy vibes befitting of a party, it allows for a wide variety of images to be shot too.
3. Montsalvat
7 Hillcrest Ave, Eltham VIC. Website
Established in 1934, according to its website, "Montsalvat is Australia's oldest continuous artist community". It has a real old-style French 'medieval' gothic heritage vibe and it absolutely stands out when it comes to a shooting location, whether for a film production or a photography project.
2. Corner Hotel
57 Swan St, Richmond VIC. Website.
We've shot at Corner Hotel in context of a film production, but it absolutely pops as a live performance venue too with its bright stage lights. Unlike a lot of dark and dingy live performance venues, a photographer will have no trouble getting spectacular shots of performers and audience alike here. As an added bonus, the audience barrier allows for plenty of maneuverability across the front of the stage and audience too, without getting in their way.
1. Fat Bob's Bar & Grill
80A Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin VIC (Located in Morrabbin Signs). Website.
Fat Bob's, normally a burger joint, is one of the more quirky venues I've done photography work. It sits at number 1 on count of its unique feature: it's American cross cyberpunk (think Coruscant underworld from the Star Wars universe, or any sort of neon filled seedy sci-fi setting) style with its abundance of neon 70's inspired signage that adorns the place, which makes for quite a spectacular backdrop for any photography or film project, if given the opportunity.
See more: Unit stills and BTS: Catholic Guilt music video shoot
So there we have it. These are some of our favourite venues and locations we've shot at. Let us know in the comments what your favourite venues and locations are.
If you need a photographer for your event or to help promote your business, hit us up.
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