SOULS OF AUSTRALIA
Discover Australia through more than 100 encounters: open conversations, diverse cultures and a “no worries” spirit that turned strangers into friends.
DEEP CONNECTIONS
Khalia
Sydney, Australia
“My Dream is to be happy with my family”
I met Khalia in Chinatown, Sydney, with my camera in hand and no idea that a simple conversation would become such an unforgettable moment.
Originally from Wallis and Futuna and now a tennis coach in Sydney, she had a quiet presence, a natural beauty and a softness that could never be staged. She was shy at first, but her kindness and carefree energy came through immediately.
Her honesty touched people far beyond the street where we met. The video travelled around the world and reached millions, but behind it was simply Khalia: gentle, humble and completely herself.
We met again a few weeks later to play tennis. This time, I got to see Khalia in her own environment, doing something she has loved since she was five years old.
Tennis is a big part of her life. She comes from a family that is passionate about the sport, and she is now a tennis coach in Sydney. On the court, she was much less shy than when we first met in Chinatown. She was focused, confident and clearly in her element.
She beat me very easily, of course. But it was a great moment. It was nice to spend time together again, outside of the street interview, and to see another side of her.
Rosie
Brisbane, Australia
That moment reached millions of people, but for me, it will always be more than a video. It was one of the strongest and most moving encounters of my life.
“Australia is my country. I am Australian.”
I met Rosie in Brisbane. She is from Thursday Island in the Torres Strait Islands and is deeply proud of her Melanesian heritage and her place in Australia.
At first, Rosie did not want to be photographed. We started talking instead. Little by little, the conversation became honest, emotional and unforgettable. After a while, she felt comfortable enough to let me take her portrait.
She spoke about Australia with love and pride, and about the importance of caring for every person who calls the country home. When she mentioned the violence at Bondi Beach, she became emotional and began to cry. I had chills listening to her. Her words came from a place of pain, but also from a deep belief in unity.
“We love all the people. But some naughty ones come and kill people.”
In just a few minutes, we went through so many emotions together: hesitation, trust, sadness, pride, hope and finally, a hug.
Before we said goodbye, Rosie spoke about my project. She told me I would go far, and that I would become better and better because I was curious and brave enough to approach people and listen to them.
Her words came at a time when I had been doubting myself and even thinking about giving up. That moment gave me a real boost. It reminded me why I started this project in the first place, and gave me the strength to come back even stronger.
Thank you, Rosie, for the encouragement, the love and the courage you gave me that day. You reminded me to keep going, to trust the journey and never give up.
You feel the Energy ?
Every portrait began with one of my presets:
Firefighters
Brisbane, Australia
“Being a Firefighter is scary, but it is the best job in the world”
I met the firefighters in Brisbane through a simple conversation, but they welcomed me straight away with open arms.
They showed me around the station, told me about their work and let me see the people behind the uniform. Their job requires courage, discipline and trust, but what stayed with me most was how approachable and generous they were with their time.
For a moment, I was not just passing by with a camera. I was invited into their world.
Firefighters
Sydney, Australia
“You will always be welcome among us”
I met the firefighters in Sydney through a simple conversation, but from the moment I arrived, they made me feel part of the station.
They welcomed me with warmth, humour and an openness I did not expect. We laughed, joked around and talked about everything from their daily routine to relationships and ordinary life. It showed me a different side of firefighting: behind the uniforms, the emergency calls and the responsibility, there are people with friendships, humour and stories of their own.
They showed me around the station, answered my questions and let me spend time in their environment. I was not there only to take photographs. For a few hours, I was invited into their world.
Before I left, one of them told me: “You will always be welcome among us.”
That sentence stayed with me. It was a reminder that the strongest encounters often begin with curiosity, a simple conversation and people generous enough to let you see beyond the uniform.
After the first visit, we spent more time together in a much more relaxed way. The conversation moved away from the trucks, equipment and emergency calls, and became more personal.
Some of the firefighters were single, and we spoke openly about relationships, dating and trying to build a life around a job with unpredictable hours. Night shifts, long days and being unable to check your phone or reply to messages can make it difficult to be fully available for someone.
It was funny, honest and very human. We laughed a lot, but it also showed me something important: firefighters carry a huge responsibility at work, then go home and deal with the same questions, doubts and relationships as everyone else.
That conversation gave me another side of their world. Not only the uniform, the courage and the job, but the people behind it.
Before I left, they let me wear their gear
I felt the weight of the uniform and the responsibility that comes with it. It was a small moment, but it gave me even more respect for the people behind it.
I came to take portraits. I left feeling welcomed, inspired and grateful to have seen another side of their world.
Salina
Sydney, Australia
“My dream is to become an Australian citizen.”
I met Salina while she was working as a street cleaner in Sydney. Originally from Bangladesh, she came to Australia with a clear dream: to become an Australian citizen.
When she told me this, there was so much calm, pride and hope in the way she said it. Since then, she has achieved that dream.
Salina has one of those smiles that stays with you. It is bright, but there is also a lot of wisdom and tenderness behind it. Her story reminded me that a dream does not always need to be big or complicated. Sometimes, it is simply about building a life somewhere you can finally call home.
“I will always be here for you if you need.”
After we met, Salina invited me to have dinner with her family in western Sydney. From the moment I arrived, they welcomed me like I was part of the family.
I ate incredible Bangladeshi food, learned a few words from their language, and spent the evening talking, laughing and sharing stories around the table. It was simple, but it meant a lot to me.
I was more than 12,000 kilometres away from my mum, who I love deeply. I did not realise how much I needed that kind of motherly comfort until that moment.
Salina’s invitation was not just dinner. It was warmth, generosity and a reminder that family can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places.
GALLERY
