• © Michele Aboud. Cate Blanchett, an interpretation created for the production of Jean Genet’s play ‘The Maids’, Sydney Theatre Company.
    © Michele Aboud. Cate Blanchett, an interpretation created for the production of Jean Genet’s play ‘The Maids’, Sydney Theatre Company.
  • © Lisa Maree Williams. Grace Tame, activist and advocate for survivors of child sexual assault and 2021 Australian of the Year sits for a portrait in Sydney, 2021. This image was created during a session for TIME Magazine’s - Next Generation Leaders edition.
    © Lisa Maree Williams. Grace Tame, activist and advocate for survivors of child sexual assault and 2021 Australian of the Year sits for a portrait in Sydney, 2021. This image was created during a session for TIME Magazine’s - Next Generation Leaders edition.
  • © Jessica Hromas. This image of Mark and Saskia was created during Sydney’s pandemic lockdown period in 2021. This was a joyous moment in what had been a very bleak time and created when restrictions forbidding people to swim or surf at Bondi Beach were relaxed. Created for the Sydney Morning Herald it was included in the Living Memory:National Photographic Portrait Prize 2021 and was recognised with a Distinction award.
    © Jessica Hromas. This image of Mark and Saskia was created during Sydney’s pandemic lockdown period in 2021. This was a joyous moment in what had been a very bleak time and created when restrictions forbidding people to swim or surf at Bondi Beach were relaxed. Created for the Sydney Morning Herald it was included in the Living Memory:National Photographic Portrait Prize 2021 and was recognised with a Distinction award.
  • © Grace Costa. Jesse & Frankie is part of Grace Costa’s 'Urban Horse' series, exploring a horse's place within our 21st-century lifestyle.
    © Grace Costa. Jesse & Frankie is part of Grace Costa’s 'Urban Horse' series, exploring a horse's place within our 21st-century lifestyle.
  • © Shelley Reis. Under Smoky Skies – “For NSW, the Summer of 2020 was like no other. Day in, day out, smoke collected on the horizon creating an eery, orange glow. Over time we grew accustomed to life under smokey skies and our children adapted to the ‘new normal’. This image was shot on the south coast as my daughter, Lola, played on the tyre swing and the ominous glow from with the Currowan fire illuminated the background.”
    © Shelley Reis. Under Smoky Skies – “For NSW, the Summer of 2020 was like no other. Day in, day out, smoke collected on the horizon creating an eery, orange glow. Over time we grew accustomed to life under smokey skies and our children adapted to the ‘new normal’. This image was shot on the south coast as my daughter, Lola, played on the tyre swing and the ominous glow from with the Currowan fire illuminated the background.”
  • © Kelly Defina. Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in the afternoon light, at Rod Laver Arena during the Australian Open 2019.
    © Kelly Defina. Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in the afternoon light, at Rod Laver Arena during the Australian Open 2019.
  • © “My underwater journey began at Shelly Beach in, Guringai, Sydney, Australia. During one of my swims, I remember seeing a group of women swim by and playfully dive under the sea, encouraging each other as they explored and pushed their own boundaries. I feel like this gentle encouragement and playfulness is a beautiful part of womanhood and it’s something I continue to explore in my personal work.” (Photograph: Michaela Skovranova)
    © “My underwater journey began at Shelly Beach in, Guringai, Sydney, Australia. During one of my swims, I remember seeing a group of women swim by and playfully dive under the sea, encouraging each other as they explored and pushed their own boundaries. I feel like this gentle encouragement and playfulness is a beautiful part of womanhood and it’s something I continue to explore in my personal work.” (Photograph: Michaela Skovranova)
  • © Stef king. ‘Determination’ - a raw portrait of Daisy, Vivien’s Models.
    © Stef king. ‘Determination’ - a raw portrait of Daisy, Vivien’s Models.
  • © Helen Whittle. ‘The cold never bothered me anyway.”
    © Helen Whittle. ‘The cold never bothered me anyway.”
  • © Lisa Hogben. Actor and activist Simone Davison, a Ngarigo woman from the first people of the Snowy Mountains region (Kunama Namadgi) is pictured high in the alps east of Thredbo.
    © Lisa Hogben. Actor and activist Simone Davison, a Ngarigo woman from the first people of the Snowy Mountains region (Kunama Namadgi) is pictured high in the alps east of Thredbo.
  • © Lisa Maree Williams. Young women from the village of Waisisi cool off in the Pacific Ocean on the island of Tanna, Vanuatu. Scientists have forecast that the strength of South Pacific cyclones will increase due to global warming and satellite data shows sea level has risen at a rate nearly twice the global average. Vanuatu’s government is considering options to sue the world’s major pollution emitters in a radical effort to confront global warming challenges and curb global emissions.
    © Lisa Maree Williams. Young women from the village of Waisisi cool off in the Pacific Ocean on the island of Tanna, Vanuatu. Scientists have forecast that the strength of South Pacific cyclones will increase due to global warming and satellite data shows sea level has risen at a rate nearly twice the global average. Vanuatu’s government is considering options to sue the world’s major pollution emitters in a radical effort to confront global warming challenges and curb global emissions.
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Australian Women in Photography Directory launched on International Women's Day

8 March 2022

To coincide with International Women’s Day on 8 March, renowned portrait and documentary photographer, Lisa Maree Williams, and senior director for editorial content at Getty Images, Cassie Trotter Spencer, have launched the Australian Women in Photography Directory (AUSWIP Directory) . The resource is a comprehensive database of professional Australia-based female and non-binary photographers which allows for people to find, commission, and connect directly with some of Australia’s leading creatives.

© Lisa Maree Williams. Grace Tame, activist and advocate for survivors of child sexual assault and 2021 Australian of the Year sits for a portrait in Sydney, 2021. This image was created during a session for TIME Magazine’s - Next Generation Leaders edition.
© Lisa Maree Williams. Grace Tame, activist and advocate for survivors of child sexual assault and 2021 Australian of the Year sits for a portrait in Sydney, 2021. This image was created during a session for TIME Magazine’s - Next Generation Leaders edition.

The directory will feature established female and non-binary photographers with at least five years’ experience in their chosen field, and cover photojournalism, commercial, fashion, portraiture, wedding, family, and sport, amongst other genres.  The directory currently has 70 photographer profiles featured, and counting.

Acting as a conduit, the directory listings feature a gallery and biography as well as links to the photographer’s website and social media channels, and those listed can be found via a name, location, or speciality search. Photographers listed are not required to pay a fee.

© Michele Aboud. Cate Blanchett, an interpretation created for the production of Jean Genet’s play ‘The Maids’, Sydney Theatre Company.
© Michele Aboud. Cate Blanchett, an interpretation created for the production of Jean Genet’s play ‘The Maids’, Sydney Theatre Company.

“Our mission is to develop, promote, and support female and non-binary photographers and creating and maintaining this public directory is pivotal to achieving our aims,” said Cassie Trotter Spencer, co-founder of Australian Women in Photography. “We no longer wish to hear the words ‘I couldn’t find a woman’ when opportunities arise in our industry, and we hope the directory will make it simpler to find experienced and diverse photographers for work, collaboration, and connection.”

Lisa Maree Williams, co-founder of Australian Women in Photography said that as a result of fielding requests for female photographers in Australia, creating an easy-to-use directory seemed like a logical next step.  “Our industry is changing, some traditional organisations have slipped away, and it quickly became apparent when we started the social networks that there was a lot of interest – and so much talent in Australia – both emerging and established. Photography is often a solo pursuit, I think this is another way to bring creators together, be inspired and invite opportunities for those featured. Like Cassie, I think it’s important that we see the world from a variety of viewpoints, not only through different genders, but also diverse ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. It’s tough to be considered for opportunities if people can’t find you.”

© Shelley Reis. Under Smoky Skies – “For NSW, the Summer of 2020 was like no other. Day in, day out, smoke collected on the horizon creating an eery, orange glow. Over time we grew accustomed to life under smokey skies and our children adapted to the ‘new normal’. This image was shot on the south coast as my daughter, Lola, played on the tyre swing and the ominous glow from with the Currowan fire illuminated the background.”
© Shelley Reis. Under Smoky Skies – “For NSW, the Summer of 2020 was like no other. Day in, day out, smoke collected on the horizon creating an eery, orange glow. Over time we grew accustomed to life under smokey skies and our children adapted to the ‘new normal’. This image was shot on the south coast as my daughter, Lola, played on the tyre swing and the ominous glow from with the Currowan fire illuminated the background.”

Lisa Hogben, a female-identifying photojournalist, stated: "Cassie and Lisa have worked tirelessly over a number of years to build a platform for women photographers in AUSWIP, which is inclusive and diverse and is a step in the right direction towards addressing issues related to gender equity in the industry”.

Australia-based female and non-binary photographers who meet the criteria are invited to apply to be listed in the directory. Submissions are open until 31 March, 2022. Going forward, new applications will be accepted twice a year.  and will be open for new applications twice a year.

© Stef king. ‘Determination’ - a raw portrait of Daisy, Vivien’s Models.
© Stef king. ‘Determination’ - a raw portrait of Daisy, Vivien’s Models.

About Australian Women in Photography

Australian Women in Photography (AUSWIP) has a mission to develop, promote, and support female and non-binary creatives in the photographic industry. Inspired by the #metoo movement and noticing a gap in the Australian market for a female-focused photographic organisation, AUSWIP immediately began connecting Australian creators and sharing work via social media. AUSWIP maintains a directory of Australia’s top professional female and female-identifying photographers, hosts social events, photographic talks, and maintains a community via social media. At the end of each year, AUSWIP produces a highlight of Australian female work, ‘AUSWIP Time Capsule’.

 

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