“Respect for the industry”: The Ararat photographer who built a 40,000 strong community for truck lovers

In 2022, Darryl Edwards was out on a walk in Ararat when he decided to take a photo of a truck rolling past. Nearly three years later, his camera tells the stories of countless truckers passing through West Vic, creating an online community of almost 40,000.

Originally from Melbourne, Edwards worked as a live music photographer for 10 years, touring with Aussie music legends like James Reyne of Australian Crawl and Rose Tattoo. After Covid hit – and live music stopped – he moved to Ararat.

Humble beginnings

“I didn’t really pick up a camera for three years and then I went for a walk one day and took some photos of some buildings, but it wasn’t very exciting, and then a truck drove past, and I got hooked,” Edwards told the Brolga, recounting when he first realised he was onto something. 

“I just took a photo of a truck and then put it on my personal profile, and a mate of mine said I should make a page,” he explained. “So I did, and the page has just been growing from there.”

That Facebook page, Truckspotting Ararat, has become something of a local phenomenon. 

Since its launch in January 2023, the page has attracted nearly 40,000 followers and built a loyal base of truck lovers and fans from across West Vic.

“I don’t know what happened,” Edwards said. “But it just resonated with the truckies because they get to see themselves driving their trucks.”

These days, Edwards’ gear of choice is a Nikon D750 full frame camera with a 70–200 millimetre lens. 

“In terms of photography, I work with the sun—where the sun is, is where I’m going to be during the day, so I like to have the sun facing the trucks.

“I [also] love shooting in the wet weather. It just creates a whole different dynamic with the photos, with the mist and water and fog; I love the inclement weather, it’s my favourite to shoot in.”

With two and a half years’ practice under his belt, Edwards has refined his craft, learning new techniques and skills along the way.

“I'm enjoying it. That's the beauty of it, is that when you're passionate about something, you just want to learn, you want to grow.”

Special connections

Truckspotting Ararat might be filled with photos of big rigs and road trains, but Edwards’ photos are really about people, and the mateship he’s discovered through the page has surprised even him.

“I've made lifelong friends doing it, with truck drivers. It's a lonely job for them, so for them to have a friendly face in Ararat is a good thing,” he said.

Among the many connections he’s formed, one stands out in particular: Colac’s Paul and Annette Ruhl, and their son, Shane. 

Edwards’ page offers a heartfelt tribute to his mate, remembering Shane as an early supporter of his work, and one of the first to purchase a printed truck photo from him.

During one of Edwards’ days out he was able to take a photo of Shane driving through Ararat in his truck. Shane Ruhl tragically passed away last year.

With every passing truck, Edwards has learned the two most important things are to have  passion and respect for the workers behind the wheel.

“It’s respect for the industry, and respect for their jobs,” he said. “There are people out there that don’t want their photo taken, and I've learned that. These guys put up with a lot, they see a lot.”

“We've lost five people on the roads out here in the last seven months. I actually witnessed the first one in Buangor, the fatal one there, so road trauma to me has really become, unfortunately, part of my story now.”

It’s something Edwards carries with care and responsibility—and it has added even more meaning to the images he captures.

The community that’s grown around Truckspotting Ararat isn’t just made up of truckies and locals. It’s now inspiring a whole new wave of photographers.

“It’s been wholesome with the way I've been accepted,” Edwards said. “Since I've started, a lot of younger people have started to pick up a camera, from kids to adults, so I’ve been able to guide them a bit and give them advice.”

That ripple effect has turned a simple truck photo page into something that feels much more significant.

“It’s not just a page, it’s a community for me, it’s been able to bring people together.”