He knew from high school that photography was his path. What sets him apart is where it takes him — into worlds most people don’t even know exist and the community that inhabits them.
“Their bravery always moved me into what’s possible when you put your mind to things.”
For six years, Melbourne based photographer and videographer Michael Danischewski has spent his weekends far from the city lights, out in the dirt arenas of rural Victoria, photographing rodeo riders who live for those eight wild seconds on the back of a bucking bull.
“What started as a fascination with the rodeo world quickly turned into something much
bigger,” he said.
“A deep dive into the culture, the characters, and the moments that define it. Rodeo isn’t just a sport; it’s a way of life, shaped by risk, resilience, and a love for the ride.”
Over the years, Michael has documented everything from tense moments behind the chutes to quieter scenes at rodeo events, capturing portraits and action shots alike.
That journey has now culminated in Trouble Rides a Fast Horse — a new photobook that pays visual tribute to the people who dedicate themselves to this rugged, captivating world.
Michael’s connection to rural Australia runs deep. His father is from the small Gippsland town of Maffra, and much of his childhood was spent visiting grandparents and family friends across the region.
That early exposure shaped his fascination with small-town life and the people who hold those communities together.
This project was a way for him “to explore what was bubbling under the surface outside of metropolitan cities”.
Initially, he worried that being an outsider to the sport might be a hindrance, but he found that his curiosity actually became a real asset for the project.
Michael has travelled from Berwick to Bunyip and beyond, documenting the people, the moments, and the energy behind the chutes.
At the rodeos, he found himself welcomed into a tight-knit community.
“I could literally stand up on the shoots as these guys were getting ready to ride,” he recalls.
“No one said anything — they just asked if I wanted to get photos with them.
“You don’t get that kind of connectivity in the city. If you show interest, people are really keen to share their experiences.”
“I was always impressed by how people came together to support each other and their communities.”
But that camaraderie exists alongside real danger. His photographs capture riders thrown from bulls weighing more than a tonne, patched up after injuries, and still finding reason to smile. He says their resilience perfectly sums up the spirit of rodeo.
Over time, the project became as much about the people as the sport. Michael recounts meeting Darcy, a young man who competed after only a few experiences on horseback, and Jayden, who rehabilitated after horrific injuries to his face, skull, and shoulder to compete again within 24 months.
“These riders are built differently,” Michael said.
“Their bravery always moved me into what’s possible when you put your mind to things.
For Michael, the project was also a personal challenge.
“Anytime you embark on a long-term project, you go through waves of doubt,” he said
The COVID lockdowns halted his shooting, but the pause gave him time to sit with the images and refine the story. Later, collaborating with an art director and designer helped him see the project with fresh eyes and push through to the finish line.
Being close to the chutes also offered its own lessons.
“Anytime you’re close to the chutes, watching people rev themselves up to compete, you learn a lot about what’s possible with a bit of determination and grit,” Michael said.
“Anytime I wavered on completing this project, I kept remembering what it took to compete so finishing a project didn’t seem like such a daunting task.”
Trouble Rides a Fast Horse marks the debut release from Mental Vacation, presenting the evocative work of an artist drawn to Australia’s overlooked subcultures.
The collection offers an intimate look at Victoria’s rodeo scene — the grit, the passion, and the quiet moments that define its riders.
“It’s the pinnacle of a project,” Michael said. “To complete one in my own backyard documenting the rodeo scene was extremely motivating.”
While he may continue documenting rodeos in the future, Trouble Rides a Fast Horse marks an important milestone capturing the culture as it is now.
Michael believes the work will age well as the sport and its community evolve, offering a valuable snapshot to look back on in years to come.
He hopes Trouble Rides a Fast Horse will give audiences a window into an often-overlooked part of Australian sport, highlighting its depth and tradition. Michael sees his photography as a bridge between worlds.
“I hope that ‘Trouble rides a fast horse’ helps people see the riders in a new light and peak their interest enough to head a long to an event,” he said.
“And that the work serves as a time capsule to what’s going on right now in the world of Victorian rodeo in years to come.”
For the families and riders who appear in his book, the results have been deeply moving.
One mother told him that his portrayal of her son’s passion meant a great deal to her personally — a reminder that all the early mornings and long travel days were worth it.
Far from an ending, the project marks a new beginning.
“It really sparked my passion for photography and took it to another level,” Michael said.
“I’m already mapping out new projects and thinking about how I can continue on this work from a closer perspective of the riders, documenting their lives in a more in depth way.”
