Five minutes with Canberra bureau photographer Alex Ellinghausen

In this subscriber-exclusive Q&A, hear from Canberra bureau photographer Alex Ellinghausen to discover the craft-secrets he uses to capture Australia’s most iconic political moments, and find out how criss-crossing the country with Anthony Albanese stacks up to Alex’s past three elections.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the second leaders’ debate of the 2022 federal election campaign at the Nine studio in Sydney.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

You’ve been following Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese during this election campaign. Can you describe what it’s like being on the leader’s trail? What does a typical day involve?

We spend a lot of time travelling on the bus or plane crisscrossing around the country. As with all campaigns, information on where we are going is very light. We board planes and buses unsure of the destination, and details of the job are usually given shortly before we arrive at the event. A typical day on this campaign would involve about two jobs (for example, a visit to an early childhood education centre or a retirement village and a daily press conference). My colleague, photographer James Brickwood, has been covering Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s campaign, and we’ve seen a few high-vis and hardhat-wearing trips and visits to businesses. Occasionally, we bump into each other when the campaigns overlap – for example, at the Channel Nine leaders’ debate. As we reach the final days of the election campaign, I expect we will see things ramp up.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese with a dog that joined his press conference at a Sydney community centre.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Is it important to keep on top of news happening elsewhere in the election campaign or are you very much “in the zone” of what and who you’re covering?

I keep a close eye on what’s happening elsewhere in the campaign as it often has a way of influencing what we might see at the next media event and what issues will most likely be discussed. When interest rates went up and cost of living was being discussed, we were covering events at supermarkets to discuss grocery prices and visited a person renting her home on the NSW Central Coast. We observe which seats the other politicians are visiting, especially when there are multiple visits to a particular seat. It gives us an indication of where they are focusing their efforts.

Can it be difficult to cover the same subject matter for an extended period? How do you approach each day to stay engaged and keep your photographs relevant and interesting?

The media packs that cover an election campaign are large. There are many TV camera operators, sound recordists with boom microphones, photographers and journalists. Trying to get into position can often be a challenge when everyone is trying to squeeze in to document a particular interaction. When you cover the same subject for a while, it gives you time to observe and learn their behaviour and idiosyncrasies. People are creatures of habit. There often is a pattern to conversation topics, the way they move, and this often helps me anticipate what position to shoot from next. I’m engaged every day as you always have to be on standby for the unexpected. Even in the quiet moments, I’m constantly observing and looking around as campaigns can be unpredictable.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd and former prime minister Paul Keating during the Labor Party campaign launch at Optus Stadium in Perth.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

What has been one of the most unexpected things about the campaign so far?

When Albanese tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the campaign and was in isolation for seven days, his frontbenchers stepped in at the media events while Albanese did radio and television interviews from home. COVID has had an impact on the election campaign for both the politicians and the media.

You’ve been taking photographs of politicians almost exclusively for 12 years now. How did you become a photographer covering federal politics?

I started at a regional newspaper 15 years ago covering general news, including council and state politics. I took the opportunity to cover federal politics in Canberra 12 years ago when the job came up. It has brought me to places that I would not have imagined visiting, such as the Oval Office at the White House, China’s Forbidden City and the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese cooks sausages at an event with Labor supporters at Altone Park in the seat of Cowan, in Perth.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

This is the fourth federal election you’ve covered as a photographer for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Have you seen any changes in how election campaigns are run?

Campaigns often involve tightly controlled events or rallies with supporters. Street walks through shopping malls or markets can be unpredictable. Many people will want to come up to the politician for a selfie or a chat about a particular policy; some approach for a hug or handshake; and others angrily vent their qualms. It feels like we’re seeing fewer of these unscripted moments.

Where will you be on election night? And what are you most looking forward to doing when it’s over?

I will be covering Labor’s election night function with Albanese. The weeks following an election campaign are often busy as well, but I will be looking forward to heading home, spending time with family and getting back on some mountain-biking trails with the kids.

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