Veterans Instameet #50 - Christmas on the water

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With 2025 coming to a close, we are getting together for one more Veterans Instameet. 

We are heading up to the Northern Beaches on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December. Will will be teaming up with Saltwater Veterans we will be staying overnight and on Sunday, having a day out on the water. 

Saturday will be a late start, catching up for a dinner, sleep overnight, get up for a sunrise shoot then the Saltwater Veterans team will have their RHIB, Elliott 7 yacht, Stand up paddleboards and kayaks out for us. So pack your swimmers, sunscreen and sense of adventure.

We'll have accommodation provided by Saltwater Veterans at HMAS Penguin. Pittwater Diving Annex. So you must bring along your own sleeping gear as only the bunks will be provided for us.

It will be a $30pp cost for this one to cover the insurances, fuel and equipment. Registrations are a must via the link below.

More details will come out to those whom have registered closer to the event. 

It's going to be an awesome overnighter to close out a huge year of the Veterans Instameet.

Mathew Bell - 0409 241 419



Location:





Who is the Veterans Instameet





We are a veterans photography group called the Veterans Instameet. Initially set up in 2014 by myself, Mathew Bell (MRyan Photography) and an ex-engineer, Warrick Eady. We had both just come back from service in Afghanistan and found common ground through photography. After discharge we both felt completely disconnected from the defence community and found there was no photography outlets or groups veteran based.  We felt that having this shared interest, we could get other like minded veterans together with photography as the basis and have fun and keep the connections to members post discharge. We soon expanded the group to include families of defence members and then the emergency services. 

We have since run 49 events in and around Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.


We are comprised of former ADF members, current serving members, children of veterans, the emergency services, SES and a number of non serving civilians who support us and what we've been through.


Please Note:
As most of the events are outdoors, there is always a physical element. Most events require a walk from the carpark to the area of interest or a more strenuous trek. The majority of events are mobile, meaning we're constantly on the move while shooting. The important aspect to us is the psychological well being that comes from a day. The aim is for everyone to have fun and make connections to other people with shared backgrounds. Photography is in the background most of the time, we have the aim for everyone to chat, laugh and shoot photos. 
Each event carries risk and by registering and attending the event, each participant agrees to take responsibility for their own safety. Safety is everyone's responsibility and if in doubt, or if anyone feels unsafe it is the individual’s responsibility to sit out the event or highlight it to the other members.  Each participant assumes all risk associated with any activity whilst with the Veterans Instameet. Each participant assumes full responsibility for themselves, their choices, their actions and their equipment. 


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Veterans Instameet #49 - RAAF Richmond Air Show

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We are getting together to attend the RAAF Richmond Airshow on Sunday 28th September, so keep it free in your calendars.

Tickets have now sold out!

We will be meeting at 10am between the Hawkesbury Visitor Information Centre and Ham Common Playground. Tickets will be given out to those who have registered and paid. No tickets will be available on the day for anyone additional.

Let me know if you have any questions?

Mathew Bell - 0409 241 419









We are a veterans photography group called the Veterans Instameet. Initially set up in 2014 by myself, Mathew Bell (MRyan Photography) and an ex-engineer, Warrick Eady. We had both just come back from service in Afghanistan and found common ground through photography. After discharge we both felt completely disconnected from the defence community and found there was no photography outlets or groups veteran based.  We felt that having this shared interest, we could get other like minded veterans together with photography as the basis and have fun and keep the connections to members post discharge. We soon expanded the group to include families of defence members and then the emergency services. 

We have since run 48 events in and around Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.


We are comprised of former ADF members, current serving members, children of veterans, the emergency services, SES and a number of non serving civilians who support us and what we've been through.


Please Note:
As most of the events are outdoors, there is always a physical element. Most events require a walk from the carpark to the area of interest or a more strenuous trek. The majority of events are mobile, meaning we're constantly on the move while shooting. The important aspect to us is the psychological well being that comes from a day. The aim is for everyone to have fun and make connections to other people with shared backgrounds. Photography is in the background most of the time, we have the aim for everyone to chat, laugh and shoot photos. 
Each event carries risk and by registering and attending the event, each participant agrees to take responsibility for their own safety. Safety is everyone's responsibility and if in doubt, or if anyone feels unsafe it is the individual’s responsibility to sit out the event or highlight it to the other members.  Each participant assumes all risk associated with any activity whilst with the Veterans Instameet. Each participant assumes full responsibility for themselves, their choices, their actions and their equipment. 
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Veterans Instameet #48 - Tanks in Oberon

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Ever wanted to get in and drive a tank?! Well we've been given the opportunity for a group of Veterans to join us on an overnight stay just outside Oberon and do just that.

Keep Saturday 12th July and Sunday 13th July free in your calendars as we plan to meet at the farm at 11am for an afternoon of tanks and armored personnel carriers. You will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with these machines.

We'll be camping out overnight, yes, in the middle of winter, so be sure to bring everything you'll need for 24 hours out bush. Our host Matt will be putting on brekkie for us, but we need to bring everything else along.

More details will come out to those whom have registered closer to the event. 

Register via the link below and let me know if you have any questions?

Mathew Bell - 0409 241 419




Location:







We are a veterans photography group called the Veterans Instameet. Initially set up in 2014 by myself, Mathew Bell (MRyan Photography) and an ex-engineer, Warrick Eady. We had both just come back from service in Afghanistan and found common ground through photography. After discharge we both felt completely disconnected from the defence community and found there was no photography outlets or groups veteran based.  We felt that having this shared interest, we could get other like minded veterans together with photography as the basis and have fun and keep the connections to members post discharge. We soon expanded the group to include families of defence members and then the emergency services. 

We have since run 46 events in and around Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.


We are comprised of former ADF members, current serving members, children of veterans, the emergency services, SES and a number of non serving civilians who support us and what we've been through.


Please Note:
As most of the events are outdoors, there is always a physical element. Most events require a walk from the carpark to the area of interest or a more strenuous trek. The majority of events are mobile, meaning we're constantly on the move while shooting. The important aspect to us is the psychological well being that comes from a day. The aim is for everyone to have fun and make connections to other people with shared backgrounds. Photography is in the background most of the time, we have the aim for everyone to chat, laugh and shoot photos. 
Each event carries risk and by registering and attending the event, each participant agrees to take responsibility for their own safety. Safety is everyone's responsibility and if in doubt, or if anyone feels unsafe it is the individual’s responsibility to sit out the event or highlight it to the other members.  Each participant assumes all risk associated with any activity whilst with the Veterans Instameet. Each participant assumes full responsibility for themselves, their choices, their actions and their equipment. 

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Veterans Instameet #47 - Vivid Sydney

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Come and join the Veterans Instameet crew on Sunday 1st June 2025 in Circular Quay to shoot Vivid! 

Weather your a seasoned photographer or looking to learn, we're inviting all veterans to come along and get involved. 

We will be meeting at 5:00pm outside the Museum of Contemporary Art on the lawn facing the ferries. From there we will walk my favourite route to capture the Opera House and Harbour Bridge before cutting across to Darling Harbour if we have time.

Come for a few hours or all night, the choice is yours! Comfortable shoes and warm clothes are a must!

Register via the link below and let me know if you have any questions?

Mathew Bell - 0409 241 419




Location:

Meet here at 5:00pm





We are a veterans photography group called the Veterans Instameet. Initially set up in 2014 by myself, Mathew Bell (MRyan Photography) and an ex-engineer, Warrick Eady. We had both just come back from service in Afghanistan and found common ground through photography. After discharge we both felt completely disconnected from the defence community and found there was no photography outlets or groups veteran based.  We felt that having this shared interest, we could get other like minded veterans together with photography as the basis and have fun and keep the connections to members post discharge. We soon expanded the group to include families of defence members and then the emergency services. 

We have since run 46 events in and around Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.


We are comprised of former ADF members, current serving members, children of veterans, the emergency services, SES and a number of non serving civilians who support us and what we've been through.


Please Note:
As most of the events are outdoors, there is always a physical element. Most events require a walk from the carpark to the area of interest or a more strenuous trek. The majority of events are mobile, meaning we're constantly on the move while shooting. The important aspect to us is the psychological well being that comes from a day. The aim is for everyone to have fun and make connections to other people with shared backgrounds. Photography is in the background most of the time, we have the aim for everyone to chat, laugh and shoot photos. 
Each event carries risk and by registering and attending the event, each participant agrees to take responsibility for their own safety. Safety is everyone's responsibility and if in doubt, or if anyone feels unsafe it is the individual’s responsibility to sit out the event or highlight it to the other members.  Each participant assumes all risk associated with any activity whilst with the Veterans Instameet. Each participant assumes full responsibility for themselves, their choices, their actions and their equipment. 
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Veterans Instameet #46 - FOVA Workshop

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We are hitting the road and heading south to run our first Melbourne Veterans Instameet on Sunday 23rd March 2025 at Melbourne Botanic Gardens.

We've been invited down by the team at the Australian National Veterans Art Museum to run an instameet in person, rather than online like last year.

We will be meeting outside the Botanical Gardens Visitor Centre at 12:45pm.

From there we will be talking a stroll through the gardens and Shrine of Remembrance photographing what we spot along the way.

It doesn't matter your skill level, everyone is welcome as we'll teach you the basics of photography through this mobile workshop.

Tickets are limited, so it's first in best dressed with your registration on the link below.

I'd love to meet more Melbourne based veterans!

Any questions let me know!

Mathew Bell - 0409 241 419



Meeting Point



Who Are We?!



We are a veterans photography group called the Veterans Instameet. Initially set up in 2014 by myself, Mathew Bell, a former grunt and an ex-engineer, Warrick Eady. We had both just come back from service in Afghanistan and found common ground through photography. After discharge we both felt completely disconnected from the defence community and found there was no photography outlets or groups veteran based. We felt that having this shared interest, we could get other like minded veterans together with photography as the basis and have fun and keep the connections to members post discharge. We soon expanded the group to include families of defence members and then the emergency services. We welcomed Andrew Judson on as one of the event volunteers, with his 10 years in defence, a background in personal training and a budding outdoorsman to boot he has been a regular at the past events and is always good for a chat and laugh.

We have since run 44 events in and around Sydney, Canberra and the Gold Coast.

We are comprised of former ADF members, current serving members, children of veterans, the emergency services, SES and a number of non serving civilians who support us and what we've been through.


Please Note:
As most of the events are outdoors, there is always a physical element. Most events require a walk from the carpark to the area of interest or a more strenuous trek. The majority of events are mobile, meaning we're constantly on the move while shooting. The important aspect to us is the psychological well being that comes from a day. The aim is for everyone to have fun and make connections to other people with shared backgrounds. Photography is in the background most of the time, we have the aim for everyone to chat, laugh and shoot photos. 
Each event carries risk and by registering and attending the event, each participant agrees to take responsibility for their own safety. Safety is everyone's responsibility and if in doubt, or if anyone feels unsafe it is the individual’s responsibility to sit out the event or highlight it to the other members.  Each participant assumes all risk associated with any activity whilst with the Veterans Instameet. Each participant assumes full responsibility for themselves, their choices, their actions and their equipment. 

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Veterans Instameet #45 - Anzac Day Portraits

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This Veterans Instameet is something different, something a little special, we are giving back to the veteran community.

Anzac Day, Friday 25th April 2025 will see the Veterans Instameet team up with the Anzac Memorial to photograph the portraits of veterans and their families.

After you finish the march, head inside the memorial and make your way down the ground floor and into the auditorium. We will have signs and people there on the day to assist.

We will be set up in the auditorium on the lower floor of the memorial with two stations where you can get your portrait taken, free of charge!

Help is needed though! We are looking to have as many hands on deck to help with not only the capturing of the photos, but the marshalling of people into the event and getting people set up for the photos themselves.

If you're interested in helping out on the day drop an email to us

veterans.instameet@gmail.com or DM us on any of our socials.

It is going to be our biggest and most challenging Instameet yet, but the most rewarding too! 
 

Any questions let me know!

Mathew Bell - 0409 241 419





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Who Are We?!



We are a veterans photography group called the Veterans Instameet. Initially set up in 2014 by myself, Mathew Bell, a former grunt and an ex-engineer, Warrick Eady. We had both just come back from service in Afghanistan and found common ground through photography. After discharge we both felt completely disconnected from the defence community and found there was no photography outlets or groups veteran based. We felt that having this shared interest, we could get other like minded veterans together with photography as the basis and have fun and keep the connections to members post discharge. We soon expanded the group to include families of defence members and then the emergency services. 

We have since run 44 events in and around Sydney, Canberra and the Gold Coast.

We are comprised of former ADF members, current serving members, children of veterans, the emergency services, SES and a number of non serving civilians who support us and what we've been through.


Please Note:
As most of the events are outdoors, there is always a physical element. Most events require a walk from the carpark to the area of interest or a more strenuous trek. The majority of events are mobile, meaning we're constantly on the move while shooting. The important aspect to us is the psychological well being that comes from a day. The aim is for everyone to have fun and make connections to other people with shared backgrounds. Photography is in the background most of the time, we have the aim for everyone to chat, laugh and shoot photos. 
Each event carries risk and by registering and attending the event, each participant agrees to take responsibility for their own safety. Safety is everyone's responsibility and if in doubt, or if anyone feels unsafe it is the individual’s responsibility to sit out the event or highlight it to the other members.  Each participant assumes all risk associated with any activity whilst with the Veterans Instameet. Each participant assumes full responsibility for themselves, their choices, their actions and their equipment. 





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