Astrogirl.Au | My Story & Passion for Astrophotography

Hi, I'm Kat!

I'm an astrophotographer and Sky-Watcher Australia ambassador from the land down under!

Born in a tiny country town in New South Wales, I’ve since swapped small-town life for the sunny skies of southeast Queensland.

I started my astrophotography journey in 2020, but I’ve been behind the lens for much longer, shooting landscapes, nature, animals, portraits, and weddings.

When I’m not out under the stars, I’m off exploring the world, camping, hiking, and soaking up the sun.

Away from the camera, I’m usually lost in a history or true crime doco, tracing my family tree, strumming my guitar, upcycling furniture, setting things on fire (for art—pyrography, not arson!), or curled up with a good book.

How it Started

From Darkrooms to Deep Space: My Journey into Astrophotography

My love for space blasted off during a primary school trip to the Mt Coot-tha Planetarium. That virtual joyride through the cosmos had in awe of space, and our solar system! From that moment on, watching the stars, and looking for UFOs and satellites became a frequent pastime.

Fast forward to high school, and you’d find me in the darkroom, developing negatives and bringing images to life. That hands-on magic sparked a lifelong passion for photography, leading me to earn a Diploma in Digital Imagery and Photography from Torrens University.

By 2017, I’d launched my own wedding and portrait photography business, capturing love stories and life’s big moments. But my real “aha!” moment came when I stumbled across a deep-space image on Facebook. I’d always dreamed of photographing the night sky but had no idea you could capture such insane detail from your backyard! Cue a deep dive into the (overwhelming) world of deep-space astrophotography.

In 2020, I took the plunge and got my first telescope, a second-hand Sky-Watcher Black Diamond 150/750 F5 six-inch Newtonian. Since then, I’ve learned a tonne from the incredible astro-community, and now I’m paying it forward, helping others chase their cosmic dreams and supporting fellow women in astronomy.

Sky-Watcher Wave 100i Mount

The Sky-Watcher Wave 100i has been a total game-changer for me. No more lugging around my bulky EQ mount! This lightweight beauty is so portable I can carry it in one hand with my telescope already attached. Its strain wave design means I get incredibly precise tracking with zero fuss. This mount is an absolute dream to use!

ASI224MC Planetary Camera

For planetary imaging, I use the ZWO ASI224MC camera, a compact powerhouse that delivers sharp, high-frame-rate captures. Its sensitive sensor makes it perfect for capturing the finer details of planets, the Moon, and even fast-moving objects like asteroids. Paired with my Celestron C8, this little camera lets me zoom in on planetary features with stunning clarity and detail!

ASI533 Pro Series Astronomy Cameras

For capturing deep space with incredible detail, I rely on the ZWO ASI533MC Pro (colour) and the ZWO ASI533MM Pro (mono) cameras. The 533MC Pro is my go-to for stunning, wide-field colour shots, offering a perfect balance of sensitivity and resolution. When I'm after even more precision, I switch to the 533MM Pro, paired with Antlia 3nm narrowband filters. This combo lets me capture nebulae and galaxies with incredible detail, bringing out faint structures and vibrant colours that would otherwise be lost. Whether it’s a full-colour capture or narrowband imaging, these cameras give me the flexibility to shoot the cosmos in all its glory.

62ED EVOLUX Refractor OTA

For portability, I added the Sky-Watcher EvoLux 62ED, a compact yet powerful refractor perfect for wide-field deep-sky imaging. With its 372mm focal length and premium ED optics, it delivers crisp, high-contrast views of nebulae, star clusters, and even comets. Lightweight and easy to set up, it’s my grab-and-go scope for nights when I want stunning results without the bulk. Whether mounted on my main rig for dual imaging or used solo, the EvoLux 62ED is a small scope that punches well above its weight!

Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain OTA

Adding more reach to my collection, I introduced the Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain—a powerhouse for planetary and deep-space imaging. With its 2032mm focal length and crisp optics, it’s my go-to for capturing fine details on the Moon, planets, and smaller deep-sky objects. Paired with a 0.63x focal reducer, it becomes even more versatile, offering a wider field of view for galaxies and nebulae. This scope has opened up a whole new level of astrophotography for me!

150 Black Diamond Reflector OTA

My first astrophotography rig—the Sky-Watcher Black Diamond 150/750 F5 Newtonian—was where it all began. This trusty six-inch reflector taught me the ropes of deep-space imaging, capturing my earliest nebulae and galaxies. It was a fantastic all-rounder, but as my skills (and gear wishlist) grew, I eventually retired it in favour of faster optics. Still, it holds a special place in my astro-journey—because every photon counts, especially the first ones!

Quattro 150P Astrophotography Reflector

My main rig—and absolute workhorse—is the Sky-Watcher Quattro 150P 150/600 F4 Newtonian. This fast, wide-field scope is a dream for deep-space astrophotography, pulling in loads of light while keeping exposure times manageable. Paired with my Sky-Watcher Wave 100i and ZWO ASI533MM Pro camera, it delivers razor-sharp images of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Lightweight yet powerful, it’s my go-to setup for capturing the cosmos!

My Astronomy Gear

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Let's Connect

I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out if you have a question or feedback or want to chat. Fill out the contact form below, and I’ll get back to you soon. Your inquiries are important to me!

For collaboration, partnerships, or any business-related inquiries, email astrogirl.au@mail.com or use the contact form. I'm always open to new opportunities and look forward to connecting with you.