It was Netal Lucas’ love of people and their passions for the eccentricities of life that drew her to photography. Connecting with people from unique walks of life and then capturing them in camera, she aims to give her audience an insight into each of her subject’s lives. Some of these have recently included boxing legend, Fred Brophy, Indigenous singer-songwriter, Archie Roach, and the everyday oddities of circus life and the drag queen community.
“Everyone has a story and I like telling them through my photography,” Lucas says. “I am particularly drawn to people with a story that’s a bit quirky. I work closely with my subjects allowing me to intimately capture their stories in an effort to open minds and think outside of what is considered to be conventional to most,” says Lucas. Originally from country Victoria, Lucas studied an Advanced Diploma of Arts - Applied Photography at the International College of the Arts in Melbourne. A move to Brisbane saw her take on a full-time position with Redbrick Studios working as a studio manager while also focusing on and developing her own portfolio and career.
Lucas has been a finalist in a number of awards including the Olive Cotton Award, Sun Studios Assistant & Emerging Photography Awards, Iris Award, Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards and Capture’s Top Emerging Photographer Awards. “I am a big believer in that success doesn’t just come to you; you have to work hard for it and that’s exactly what I plan on continuing to do to get to where I need to be,” she says.