Rising Stars of Fungi Photography
Psilocybe serbica - Austria. Photograph by Stephen Axford
Fungi have a way of taking us places we never expected. In the last six months these fascinating organisms have taken us into European forests with rising young photographers, into North American cinemas, and — very soon — back home to Dorrigo National Park. And in all of it, one thought keeps circling back: Sometimes we go looking for fungi. And sometimes fungi find us.
RISING STARS - EPISODE 1: ALMIR RIZVANOVIC (Austria)
One of the unexpected pleasures of our trip to Europe last year, as guests of PilzFestSpiele in Austria, has been meeting a new generation of mushroom photographers who are lifting the standard of fungi photography.
So, as part of my photography tips over the next few months, I'm going to share the work of some of the Global Rising Stars of Fungi Photography and what I have learned from them.
We're starting with Almir Rizvanović.
You can find his work here:
Instagram
Facebook
NB: The photographs in this section, including his portraits, were all taken by Almir.
Passion First. Gear Second.
Almir works factory shifts. With his equally hard-working wife, Sejla, he shares the load of family life and raising two boys. And somewhere between all of that, he finds time to head into the forest.
That matters.
Because the thing that makes a good fungi photographer is not just equipment — it's the desire to keep returning to the woods.
Over a decade of chatting from a distance on Instagram, we watched his work evolve. Yes, the equipment has improved. But far more importantly, Almir's eye has sharpened. He experiments. He tries new compositions. He listens to feedback.
He is generous in sharing his techniques in vlogs.
Lighting in a Dark Forest
One of the most interesting things I've learned from Almir — and many European photographers — is how much environment dictates technique.
In Australia, especially in northern NSW, we often rely on generous natural light. Even under a canopy, we can usually bounce light back in from above.
European forests are different.
Shorter days. Dense canopy. Lower ambient light. If you head out at two or three in the afternoon, you can be working in near darkness.
Almir adapts to this using artificial light thoughtfully. Not to overpower the scene, but to reveal it. To bring detail back into the gills. To separate the mushroom from the background. To give depth where natural light simply isn't available.
For years, I was hesitant about adding light in the forest. I prefer the challenge of working with what's there. But watching how photographers like Almir use light with restraint has made me rethink that resistance.
The key isn't whether you use artificial light. The key is whether it still feels like the forest, and Almir is increasingly walking that line well.
FOLLOW THE RAIN
Follow the Rain is travelling in North America, with recent packed houses in San Francisco, Montreal, Minnesota, Toronto and Idaho.
Next screenings below.
It is also streaming on:
Australia and New Zealand - NETFLIX
Germany - RTL
Thailand - TRUEVISIONS
UPCOMING SCREENINGS IN NORTH AMERICA
13 MARCH - GATINEAU, QUEBEC
Screening hosted by the Mycologues amateurs de l’Outaouais (MAO)
and Mycology Ottawa
Carleton University
📘PLANET FUNGI - A PHOTOGRAPHER’S FORAY
Released worldwide, join us for a deep dive into the astonishing world of fungi—Stephen’s iconic photography, Catherine’s stories of fungal adventures, and insights from leading mycologist Dr Tom May. It’s the perfect centrepiece for a coffee table, a nature-lover’s library, or anyone who delights in the strange and spectacular.
The North American release is scheduled for the second half of 2026.
Planet Fungi in Slovakia. Photograph by Mato Madaras - next month’s rising star.
Cultivating An Audience for Biodiversity Conservation
Free presentation (45 minutes) followed by book-signing
As part of this year’s Fungi Foray with Friends in Dorrigo, Photographer/Filmmaker duo Stephen Axford and Catherine Marciniak are teaming up with NSW National Parks. We’re inviting audiences to journey with us through the remarkable two-decade journey into the hidden world of fungi.
Limited numbers. Bookings essential.
11:00 AM - Saturday 21 March
Dorrigo Rainforest Centre
142 Dome Road, Dorrigo Mountain. Gumbaynggirr Country.
📅 2026 Miraculous Mushrooms Calendar
Twelve months of mood-lifting mushrooms! Our 2026 calendar features a curated collection of Stephen’s favourites with fun fungi facts. A beautiful way to stay organised while keeping a window into the fungal world on your wall all year long.
This is a zero-plastic calendar, and the producers invest in reforestation.
BRING THE MAGIC OF FUNGI INTO THE CLASSROOM
Our award-winning fungi documentary, Follow the Rain—along with an exciting Study Guide for Schools, is now available for teachers and parents who want to bring the wonder of nature into young minds
Outreach campaign and study guide generously financed by
Michelle Marie Bailey.
Designed for Years 3–8 and matched to the Australian curriculum, our teacher pack connects science, the arts and media studies with hands-on learning. Kids can explore how fungi are classified, how they interact with plants and animals, and how photography and film can be powerful tools for science.
Whether you're a teacher looking for rich classroom content or a parent or grandparent eager to get your local school to use this truly unique educational resource, Follow the Rain is the perfect way to inspire a lifelong fascination with the natural world.
For more information contact ATOM shop@atom.org.au
Helvella lacunosa - Austria. Photograph by Stephen Axford
SUPPORT FUNGAL RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION
If you would like to support more research into, and conservation of, this fascinating, important, but understudied area of science, there are three organisations that we partner with, who work tirelessly in these areas.
Big Scrub Conservancy Foundation
INTERNATIONAL
Every little bit helps.
Stropharia sp. - Austria (possibly Stropharia aeruginosa). Photograph by Stephen Axford.