Capturing the passion, closure, and creativity of football
Storyteller: Patrick McFadden, Australia
For Australian photographer Patrick McFadden, football has always been more than just a game—it’s been a canvas for storytelling the highs and lows of the people involved in the world of Australian football. After four years working with the Western Sydney Wanderers, Patrick decided to bring his journey to life in a format that would treasure both his craft and the sport he loves. His MILK Magazine became more than a collection of images; it became a way of closing one chapter while celebrating the countless moments that defined it.
What format did you choose to create your keepsake and why?
Magazine - I had just closed a 4-year chapter working as a photographer in football, and wanted something to remember the time, but also to display my work in a professional manner. Taking inspiration from sports bible and other soccer magazines from back in the day, I opted for a MILK Magazine to make the photos feel professional, yet still in the genre of which I was shooting.
Why did you create your keepsake?
My time working for this football club (Western Sydney Wanderers), re-ignited my passion in my craft, and carried with it a lot of memories and experiences over 4 years. When I decided to end my time there, this was my way of both appreciating the time I had there but also remembering and documenting my feelings about that time, giving me a sense of closure, and allowing for me to move on. It felt important to take everything I had experienced—the long nights, the excitement of match days, the quiet training sessions, the celebrations and heartbreaks, and bring it all together in one place. Putting it together gave me space to reflect on how much I had grown, both personally and professionally, and provided a marker of time that I can always look back on.
What image do you love most from your keepsake?
My favourite image is the black and white image of Miloš Ninković sitting on a chair after losing a semi-final - both the composition and story behind the image has a special place in my heart. As shown, it wasn’t about the glory or the goals, but about the quiet moment after the noise had died down, where you could see everything written on his face. For me, that photo represents the honesty of sport: it can be both beautiful and brutal at the same time. It’s the kind of image that stays with you, because it tells a story without needing words.
Do you have an interesting story behind a single shot in the book?
I think my favourite story is one of my friend Geoff Abraham's sitting on a ball during training. It's not a particularly great shot, and I took it on a whim, but unbeknownst to either of us, it would be the last day before he was told he was becoming the head coach of the Women's A-League team, something he had been working towards as long as I had known him. I was, and still am, very proud of him, and really like that photo because of that.
What does your keepsake mean to you and your family?
It helped me move on and helps me appreciate what started my passion in this field. It also gives me something tangible to hold onto when I reflect on those years, rather than just relying on fading memories or scattered files on a hard drive. My family enjoy flicking through it as well, as it gives them a window into the work I poured so much energy into during that time.
What inspires you to take photos in general?
I want to capture small moments in time that may otherwise go unnoticed. There’s something rewarding about finding beauty or meaning in the quiet details of football that most people wouldn’t think of. For me, it’s about preserving the raw emotion and atmosphere so that, years later, I can look at a photo and still feel part of the moment I captured it.
What inspires you creatively?
Shooting on 35mm film. There’s a discipline to film that forces you to slow down, think carefully, and truly observe your surroundings before pressing the shutter. The imperfections, grain, and unpredictability of film often lead to results that feel more authentic and alive, which keeps me excited about the craft.
What bit of advice would you offer to someone creating their own MILK memento?
If it means something to you, it's worth creating. Don’t overthink it or wait until you feel like everything is “perfect” - just start pulling your images and words together. The process itself can be just as rewarding as the finished project, and you’ll be glad you made the effort to preserve those memories in a meaningful way.
Patrick’s magazine is more than a professional portfolio—it’s a love letter to football, the friendships and lifelong connections he made, and the art of sports photography. By preserving his memories in print, he created something tangible to hold onto, a memento that appreciates the journey while inspiring his future work. For Patrick, the art of the game lives on in every page of his MILK Magazine. Compare our range and start creating the perfect keepsake now.
