Portraiture has always intrigued me.
A good portrait goes beyond the surface—it captures a connection, a truth, a glimpse of the subject’s essence. That’s what I sought to achieve with this series.
It began in Cortona, Tuscany, where photographers, editors, and writers from Australia, Italy, the U.S., Spain, England, Russia, and beyond stepped from behind the lens to become subjects. Despite their different backgrounds, they shared a moment of stillness, engaging in an unspoken dialogue with the camera.
Now, in Australia, I continue this exploration—an ongoing study of portraiture in which identity is shaped by presence, not nationality. These images reflect a rare gathering of individuals from across cultures who chose to be seen, a reminder of what unites rather than divides.
This portrait collection emerged during the World Press Exhibition in Cortona, where remarkable figures from photography and publishing often gathered. Tasked with capturing their images, I found that, despite their expertise, standing before the lens transforms everyone into a subject—revealing emotions, insecurities, or confidence that are hard to mask. As someone who has also posed before the camera, I know its vulnerability. The dialogue and shared experience during those moments made this project both meaningful and rewarding.