Noosa Photography Co ~ First Nations Storytelling Photography
First Nations storytelling photography in Far North Queensland sits at the intersection of culture, country and creative vision. This series sits squarely in that space.
VOICE. TREATY. TRUTH is a portrait series created in Far North Queensland by Noosa Photography Co and Samantha Martin, widely known as the Bush Tukka Woman. A Jaru woman born in the East Kimberley and raised on Country, Samantha is an internationally recognised cultural leader, filmmaker, author and educator. Her work has reached communities locally, nationally and globally. The Bush Tukka Guide series, her television work on SBS and NITV and her ongoing educational programs have made her one of Australia’s most significant voices in the preservation and sharing of First Nations knowledge.
This was an artistic partnership in the fullest sense. The locations in Far North Queensland were chosen by Noosa Photography Co for their natural power and beauty. While this is not Samantha’s home Country, the landscape spoke to the spirit of the work and was approached with the same respect and reverence that underpins everything in this series. Samantha brought her culture, her stories and her vision. The lens, the light and the technical craft came from this side. What resulted belongs equally to both of us. Her story. Her words. This vision. These photographs.
The series was created to align with the 2019 NAIDOC Week theme of Voice. Treaty. Truth, drawn from the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages. The timing was intentional. The work was purposeful.
The Series
Shot in the ancient rainforests, billabongs and rock country of Far North Queensland, each image in the VOICE. TREATY. TRUTH series is paired with words written by Samantha herself. The photographs gave the words a place to live. The words gave the photographs their soul.
The series moves through twelve chapters. Each one a distinct world. Each one connected.
Womb Dreaming speaks of being cradled in the warmth of Mother Earth’s womb, of syncing heartbeats, of standing tall and firm like the tree that gives comfort and strength, of raising the vibration of a coming Treaty.
Ochre Dreaming speaks of the dust that is from the very veins of Mother Earth, used in ceremony to paint bodies and represent tribes, totems, language and art. Thrown to the wind it symbolises letting go, giving dreams and aspirations to the ancestors to carry away.
Shadow speaks of a woman whose darkness brings light and whose light brings shadow. Who shines even through the dark. Who sees her ancestors dancing in the firelight, warming her soul and making her whole.
Billabong speaks of water spirit surrounding her, connecting with her soul and swallowing her whole. Water that is fluent, free and gentle but can rage and tear apart. Water dreaming that if respected will spare your life.
Country speaks of spirit connecting back over 65,000 years. Of standing free like your invisible, like a floating spirit. Of boulders as protectors and guardians. Of being connected through every drop, every grain of sand, every root.
Songlines speaks of the Songlines revealed in the water, the water spirits showing the way, gifting life and freedom. Of ancestors singing the songs of their Songlines straight into her heart to walk their walk and talk their talk.
Her Story. Her Voice.
This is what First Nations storytelling photography looks like when it is done with genuine respect and equal creative investment. Not a photographer imposing a vision onto a subject. Two artists making something neither could have made alone.
If you are an artist, a cultural organisation, a publisher or anyone with a project that requires photography of this depth and intentionality, get in touch.
If you would like to see more of the work or find out about packages, visit Noosa Photography Co. You can also read what clients say on our testimonials page or on Google. And if you are looking for a gift for someone planning a special creative project, a photography gift voucher is one of the most thoughtful things you can give.
First Nations Storytelling Photography Far North Queensland ~ Frequently Asked Questions
What is First Nations storytelling photography? First Nations storytelling photography is the practice of creating images that carry and honour Indigenous cultural narratives, knowledge and identity. At its best it is a partnership between the photographer and the subject where both bring equal creative investment and the resulting work belongs to both.
How was the VOICE. TREATY. TRUTH series created? The series was a genuine artistic partnership between Noosa Photography Co and Samantha Martin, the Bush Tukka Woman. The locations in Far North Queensland were chosen by Noosa Photography Co for their natural power and beauty. While this is not Samantha’s home Country, the landscape spoke to the spirit of the work and was approached with respect and reverence throughout. Samantha brought her cultural knowledge, her stories and her vision, and wrote the words that accompany each image. Noosa Photography Co brought the technical craft, the lens and the light. The images and the words were created simultaneously as a unified body of work.
Why was the series created in 2019? The series was created to align with the 2019 NAIDOC Week theme of Voice. Treaty. Truth, drawn from the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages. The timing was a deliberate creative and cultural choice.
Can Noosa Photography Co take on similar cultural or artistic projects? Yes. Projects of cultural significance, artistic depth and genuine creative partnership are exactly the kind of work that matters most. Get in touch via the enquiry page to discuss your project and what a partnership might look like.
