𝐄𝐏 | 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐬 with Amanda Dunstan Photography

Photographer: Amanda Dunstan
Location: Kingaroy, Queensland

For this Behind the Lens feature, we’re shining a light on Amanda Dunstan, a passionate polocrosse photographer whose love for the sport has naturally evolved into capturing its best moments.

Amanda has been photographing polocrosse carnivals since around 2015, though her connection to the sport goes back much further. She was introduced to polocrosse 35 years ago through her husband James, and with four kids involved in the game, weekends quickly filled with carnivals across the season. What started as a way to fill time on the sidelines soon became something Amanda truly enjoys — capturing and sharing the moments that make polocrosse special.

Camera Gear
Trackside Amanda relies on her Nikon D850 paired with a Sigma 150–600mm lens, which she says is perfect for reaching across the field and catching those candid moments around the grounds. She’s also recently added a Tamron 70–200mm lens to her kit but admits the reach of the big lens is still her favourite for the action.

From Player to Photographer
Amanda has also spent time in the saddle herself, playing for a couple of years with Chinchilla Polocrosse Club on a horse called Chelsea — who she describes fondly as having a “dreadful paddle gait but being perfect for me.”

Having played and spent decades around the sport, Amanda’s understanding of polocrosse helps her anticipate the action before it happens. Knowing the strategies, the players, and even the quirks of certain horses allows her to position herself to catch the key moments. Just as importantly, it helps her capture the candid family moments and connections that make the polocrosse community so unique.

What She Loves to Photograph
While nothing beats a hard-fought, high-skill game played on quality horses, Amanda says she loves photographing all grades. For her, the beauty of polocrosse photography is capturing the small wins, emotions and determination that come with playing a contact sport on horseback.

Favourite Moment Behind the Camera
One recent highlight was witnessing and photographing the Queensland Under 21’s whitewash at Upper Hunter Show. After making the long trip south for around ten years and often heading home after tough losses, it was a special moment to finally see a win — and to capture those memories through her lens.

Follow Amanda’s Photography:
You can find her work on Facebook, where she regularly shares her polocrosse images from carnivals and events.