Hi, my name is Julian Orbach. Welcome to Hat Line Photography.

I am a photographer who specialises in performers and their performances.

I’ve been taking photos of performers, on stage and off, for three decades, including circus, cabaret, variety, comedy and burlesque – any sort of production in a theatre, in a tent, on the street, or in a field… or in a nice, warm studio.

I am available for your photographic needs, whether they are live productions, dress rehearsals, behind-the-scenes, workshops, headshots, posters and other promo material, festivals and conventions… or maybe you have something a little out-of-the-ordinary to try?

Have a look around at my portfolio, and when you are ready, contact me to discuss what I can do for you.

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Portfolio

Here is a selection of photos and videos to give an idea of what we can do together.

Promo Video: Hats

Promo Video: Clowns and Jokers

Stand-Up Comedians

Static, Swinging and Flying Trapeze

Services

We can chat about exactly what you need, but here are some of the typical photography services on offer.

Show Time

For all types of performances

Need photos of your production to help get bums on seats?

I can come along and sit with the audience, or roam the aisles to get a broader mix of shots.

Dress Rehearsal

For stage productions

I love doing this – I will come to the tech run at your venue, and shoot while you rehearse. That way, I can stand wherever I want. We can pretend it was the final show.

(Don’t forget your costume and makeup!)

Behind The Scenes

For all sorts of projects

Let people see how the magic is made. I will hang around while you work, capturing candid photos to give your customers a peak behind the curtain. Perfect for giving your social media followers a sense of community.

Elegant Basic Portraits

For performers and non-performers alike

I have a home studio in the Inner West of Sydney, suitable for headshots and medium shots. If we just need the basics, we can get it done quickly for a good price.

Full Studio Portraits

For people who deserve promotion

Wanna get fun and creative? I have access to full-sized studios, where we have the room for wider shots and more specialised lighting – plenty of room to include your circus apparatus or other props. We can also organise a hair and makeup artist, and anything else you need to get the shot just right.

Festivals & Conventions

For events

Panels, lectures, town halls, presentations, booths, stalls… let me capture the atmosphere, the facilities and the fun at your big event.

FAQ

What does Hat Line mean?

Buskers (street performers) can’t sell tickets before the show. They have to rely on patter and rapid-fire jokes near the end of their act to persuade the audience to drop money into their hat. Performers often hone these speeches, known as “hat lines“, for years to better suit their character and appeal to the local crowds.

Where are you based?

I live in the Inner West of Sydney… but we can work around that if it is a problem.

Get in Touch

I would love to discuss how I can capture the essence of your performance and personality. Contact me through any of the channels below:

News

Find the latest news on Instagram.

@hatlinephotography

Julian Orbach, Hat Line Photography

Stage, portraits, events, etc. 🎪📸🇦🇺

#ThrowbackThursday
@broadway.sue adds a little milk to her tea, 2013 Tasmanian Circus Festival
@sb55522 #teapot #clown #balance #tassiecircusfestival
[A photo from the archives: Taken as an amateur on prosumer equipment.]

Iulia on the pole at the @bubbleshowforadultsonly at the 2025 Sydney Fringe. #poledancing #pole #silverboots #bubbles #bubblemaking #cabaret #burlesque #bubblesforadults #SydneyFringe #foolsparadise #HatLinePhotography

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 @𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗽𝗶𝘅𝗶𝗲𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵. 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 @𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁.𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝘆; 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁. #𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁 #𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁