About
New Humans of Australia seeks to reduce discrimination towards migrants, especially refugees, through the powerful medium of storytelling.
We believe it is becoming more and more important to tell the true stories of migrants – the difficulties they overcome and what they contribute – in order to celebrate multiculturalism, and to make new arrivals feel welcome on our shores.
Inspired by the iconic Humans of New York, New Humans of Australia was started by Nicola Gray, a writer, who wanted to share the many fascinating stories she heard while working with refugees and migrants. Read their stories on this site, or check out the stories with comments on social media!
Nicola Gray
Founder
Nicola Gray holds a BA Communications and MA Writing, and has worked in international education as a teacher, manager and workshop facilitator for many years. In 2015, she worked for some time in the government funded Adult Migrant English Program, where she met many refugees and other migrants from around the world for the first time in her life. Nicola subsequently founded New Humans of Australia, a social media storytelling project which details the stories of refugees and migrants to Australia. Her dream is to change the way Australians see one another.
Sophie Coghill
Marketing & Content Officer
Sophie holds a BSc (Hons) in Sport & Exercise Science and moved to Australia in 2020 after her graduation. It was through her own experience of moving and living in a new city that she was inspired to seek out New Humans of Australia and become our Marketing and Content Officer. Sophie hopes to encourage a deeper, societal understanding of the migrant experience. Her dream is to further create mediums that enable true, unfiltered stories to be shared.
Anna Cristina Caputi
Communications Officer
Anna holds an MA in Art History and has worked in various organisations. She is passionate about social justice, and volunteered for some time with gypsy children in Italy and with Syrian refugees. Her long term dream is to use her love of art to implement changes in cultural perspectives.
Transcriptionists
Alex Wise
Alex has worked in communication roles across the corporate, government and university sectors, and holds a BA in Communication (Hons) and International Studies. She is currently undertaking a Doctor of Creative Arts degree, with a focus on memory, place and the concept of home.
Alison Elliot
Alison has worked in a number of administrative roles, but predominantly in forensic pathology, in various states and territories, and also holds a BA in Fine Art. She currently lives in Canberra working in both forensic pathology and endocrinology, is a mum and volunteers with a local charity organisation that assists victims of domestic violence by way of event planning and coordination to help raise awareness and funds.
Roselle Tenefrancia
Roselle Tenefrancia lives on the Gold Coast, and is an editor of a local boating magazine that she and her husband own. She moved to the Gold Coast from the Philippines in 2012 with her husband (an Aussie from Melbourne) and their then one-year-old son. Being a migrant to Australia, she has had to learn so many things. But despite the personal struggles – mostly emotional and psychological – she strongly believes that being an active community member has helped her in accepting things she cannot change, and has opened up opportunities to interact with many people of various backgrounds and to appreciate Australia for what it is.
Kate Maloney
Kate has worked in the medical field in administration and management for 13 years.
She is currently undertaking a counselling degree while working on her own business plan.
People and culture are at the heart of everything she contributes herself to.
Jason Yosar
Jason is a junior doctor working in Sydney and is currently completing a Master of Medicine in Ophthalmic Science. He was born in Sydney to Indonesian migrants of Chinese ethnicity who have instilled in him values of compassion and respect for all people of all backgrounds.
Jamie Redmond
Jamie is currently completing a Bachelor of Information Studies at Charles Sturt University. She has particular interest in community and personal histories, and the power of information access. Jamie is passionate about volunteering and enjoys balancing various projects with home educating her three children.
Kaylene Connell
Kaylene has taken full advantage of the opportunities afforded by an Australian passport. Born and raised in Australia, as an adult she’s lived in the UK, Singapore, China, Japan, Bulgaria and currently Argentina where she is Head of Mathematics in a bilingual school (despite the fact she’s not bilingual). She is keenly aware of the opportunities she is afforded simply by having had the good fortune to have been born in Australia. As she has spent most of her adult life having other people welcome her into their countries and cultures she hopes Australians are as welcoming of those who move to make Australia home. Sharing stories is a great first step.
Monica P
Monica works in IT but holds a degree in Bsc in Environmental Biology. She was born in Australia to Chinese parents who were refugees of the Vietnam war. Due to her family history and her own experiences as a minority growing up in Australia she is passionate about helping other immigrants share their stories.
Shani Wende
Shani arrived in Australia as a baby and always felt like a citizen of the world.
Her main passions are education and community building.
After graduating university with a Bachelor of Sociology, Shani spent 12 years on Reunion Island, as co-founder of a permaculture farm and training centre. She also taught English as a Second Language for over a decade.
She is currently Education Coordinator at a not-for-profit, and is completing a Master of Educational Neuroscience.
She believes storytelling and other forms of education are key to creating a more harmonious world that sees multiculturalism as a gift.
Her main passions are education and community building.
After graduating university with a Bachelor of Sociology, Shani spent 12 years on Reunion Island, as co-founder of a permaculture farm and training centre. She also taught English as a Second Language for over a decade.
She is currently Education Coordinator at a not-for-profit, and is completing a Master of Educational Neuroscience.
She believes storytelling and other forms of education are key to creating a more harmonious world that sees multiculturalism as a gift.
Photographers
Sebastian Kappen
Darwin
I’m born in Germany and live already for 14 years in Darwin (not so new Human of Australia any more) Photography is my passion, I’m specialised in photographing young to old Humans. Kids’ birthdays, weddings, portraits and not to forget the award winning Malak Marketplace. I love the diversity here in Darwin, where are many people from all over the world come to work and live together.
Anne Casey
Sydney
I live in and love the inner west of Sydney and I also love photography, something that I have taken up later in life. Working with New Humans of Australia has given me to the opportunity to meet some incredible people so thank you Nicola!
Ryan Ammon
Perth
Ryan Ammon is an experienced, award winning Perth-based photographer with international qualifications and training. After completing a bachelor degree with honours at Edith Cowan University, Ryan has built a professional career in photography, specialising in wedding, portrait and fashion. He passes on his passion through educational programs and workshops, teaching through Edith Cowan University, World Press Photo Perth, YMCA and Shoot Photography Workshops. Ryan has also spent time photographing and teaching photo-journalism abroad; most recently in China, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. His portfolio is extensive, with work published both locally and internationally.
David Brewster
Melbourne
David Brewster is a Melbourne-based writer and photographer. He has been taking pictures for most of his life, since his father gave him a Kodak Instamatic 126 format camera at an early age. David’s photographic interests are broad though centre on urban and travel photography. In all his work, whether portraits or headshots, events, performance or art work, David is intensely interested in showing the authentic human element.
Alex Winner
Newcastle
Alex Winner is an Australian photographer specialising in Wedding Photography, Videography, Portraits and Films. Professionally operating for 4 years, he has grown a vast portfolio through his skills, networking and passionate love for the printed and digital image. Alex started his love for photography in 2007 and was trained by Newcastle Practitioners, through hands on experience in conjunction with other professional photographers. Since creating his business, Alex has gone on to showcase his talents through film and video, founding the Newcastle based production company 7 Heads Productions in 2014. Producing short films and media for various networks, Alex is working his way into the film industry with the ambition of Cinematography in mind.
Simone Cheung
Sydney
I was born in Hong Kong and moved to Australia when I was six years old. I came from a lower socioeconomic background, and witnessed a lot of physical violence between my parents. My life experiences drove me to my passion and desire to dedicate my life to the community and especially to people from disadvantaged backgrounds. A largely self-taught photographer, I have had an interest in photography since I got my hands on my parents’ film camera when I was about 10 years old. My photography is all about capturing those simple, ordinary moments in an extraordinary way. I want to show that every single person regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion or social status has that magical moment just waiting to be captured.
Travis Kittel
Adelaide
As a heavy diesel mechanic I wanted to have a hobby I could do in my free time, so I started my photography journey back in 2009 when I moved to Canada and was travelling a lot, focusing primarily on landscapes and Astro photography, I have slowly branched into portraiture. Having moved back home to Australia I am now taking photos whenever I get time available and am not working. It’s my true passion.
Pia Jessen
Brisbane
Pia Jessen is passionate about photography and adventure travel. She loves to photograph people of the world and learn about their everyday lives, their cultures and traditions. She has held roles with the Australian Photographic Society and has been involved with her local camera club organising the event program, special events and presentations. She has won many international awards for her photography and has judged numerous National and International Photography Salons.
Adriana Watson
Sunshine Coast
I’m a wedding and portrait photographer with a love for connecting with real people. Born in Brazil, I left home to travel the world, then along the way I met the love of my life, a good Aussie Bloke. In 2010 Australia became home. I’m now a mother of two gorgeous girls and a furry four-legged daughter. I like to say that I’m in the business of documenting memories. Whether that is a wedding, life milestones, family portraits, I’m there. My style of photography is natural, relaxed yet elegant with a little fashion flare. I’m highly inspired by contemporary fashion and photojournalism. I hold a diploma in photoimaging.
Peter Damo
Blue Mountains
Peter is an Australian based photographer living in the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney. He has worked as a photographer for nearly 20 years freelancing in the areas of commercial photography, both on location and in a studio. Throughout his career his main interest has been in landscape for which he has won awards and his images used locally and overseas on book covers and events promotion. He’s currently working on a project titled ‘Elemental Fantasy’ which brings together his efforts of the past 20 years in a set of images engaging the viewer in the complexities of nature and their own life.
Davina Jogi
Bridgetown
Davina Jogi is an award-winning photojournalist from Harare, Zimbabwe who relocated to Perth in 2015 with her Australian husband, Steven Dean. Together they set up TwoDee Creative, a film and photography company based in Bridgetown, WA that provides visual storytelling for families, businesses and not-for-profits. In her personal work, Davina focuses on documenting social justice issues and has a particular interest in stories of identity and migration. Davina is also a founding and current director of the Zimbabwe Association of Female Photographers (ZAFP), which provides practical support and project-based training to women photographers. She believes that, especially in the part of the world she comes from, the role of a journalist is as a storyteller and advocate.
Gabi McDonald
Mildura
I am a professional photographer with my Bachelor of Arts Photography from RMIT University. Growing up, I always had a creative mind, immersing myself in the Arts and inquisitive play. As I’ve progressed through life this creative nature has driven me towards a career in photography. Historically, one line of my family has also followed this path. Two generations were official photographers for Sydney and ran printing businesses. They were innovators in and around Sydney up until the first world war and carried the name, Degotardi. Like them, I aim to create, capture and document. To me, producing images is about capturing the essence of a true moment- Authenticity of self, vibrancy of personality & depth of emotion. Photography gives us the opportunity to explore, be surprised, create something meaningful and to feel everyday.
Michael Glass
Brisbane
I took up photography as a way to fill the hole left by 25 years of military service, and as a way to heal from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I needed a way to view the world through a different prism; to view the world without threat. I started taking photographs of landscapes and cityscapes. I enjoyed taking time alone – but it was also a great way to hone my technical skills. As my confidence grew, so did my love of photography. I am now able to engage people in full portrait sessions, as well as put my work into exhibitions and competitions. I recently placed third in my category during this year’s Royal Brisbane Show. Other areas that I enjoy photographing include sport and toys (don’t judge me). I had the opportunity to shoot for the Brisbane Lions Football Club this year; which was a real privilege. My family has been instrumental in my recovery. Photography has allowed me to express myself.
Donna Larcom
Townsville
Born in Melbourne I studied a BA in photography at RMIT. Photographing people and places has always been a great passion, its kind of like “seeing something and being able to save it for later”. In 1996, I along with another colleague established a portrait and wedding business in Townsville, North Queensland. Having grown up here, in Australia and also having had the wonderful experience to travel a lot, I love being a part of the melting pot of cultures that Australia is. I love this diversity that is all around us. I believe that photography can also be a vehicle to assist in helping us to be more compassionate and understanding of others around us. Everyone has a story.
Hayley Kotzur
Wagga Wagga
I was born and have lived in rural Australia my whole life, now currently studying a Bachelor of photography and graphic design at Charles Sturt University. I was have been awarded the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Prize 2017, and was awarded 6th place in the Australian Photographer of the Year 2017, in the black and white category. This came from my unique eye into photographing things that many people don’t often notice. I enjoy making photographs that can tell a story relating to the emotions and the human form. I like to see the unique nature and beauty that comes out of this type of photography.
Rowena Haines
Canberra
I’m a constant traveller and am most inspired by meeting new people and hearing their stories. After many years capturing my own memories whilst travelling all over the planet I was inspired to become a photographer and capture the moments others want to cherish. I love seeing a moment, a connection or a story and being able to convey that in an image. I take a journalistic approach to my photography, capturing candid images rather than directing and posing my subject.
Kate Higgins
Brisbane
I’ve always loved working in industries that allow me to be creative and photography has certainly been that and more! I have been a professional photographer working from Byron Bay to Brisbane across a variety of genres since 2010 – from newborns to weddings, branding, businesses and more! Having grown up in the rainforests of the Gold Coast Hinterland, my true love is capturing people outdoors in nature. I now spend most of my time photographing content for brands and supporting small businesses with their marketing and social media needs. I also run various photography and mental health related programs through The Yes Project – bringing together my love of photography, art and mental wellbeing.
Paul Heinrich
Adelaide
I am a photographer who loves to take people in relaxed moments in every day life. I love portraiture, nature and travel photography. My wedding and event photography is aimed capturing the informal moments that make the event special.
Gail Douglas
Wagga Wagga
Though born in Hobart, I have lived most of my life in and around the Cootamundra area.
I have always had a keen interest in photography, starting on a more professional level in 2006.
I have been involved with wedding and portrait photography, commercial photography, organising
of local camera clubs and agricultural shows photographic sections.
I have exhibited photographs and had numerous wins, (both physical and online), and have also had
photographs published in photography magazines.
Landscape and travel photography remains a passion for me also.
I have always had a keen interest in photography, starting on a more professional level in 2006.
I have been involved with wedding and portrait photography, commercial photography, organising
of local camera clubs and agricultural shows photographic sections.
I have exhibited photographs and had numerous wins, (both physical and online), and have also had
photographs published in photography magazines.
Landscape and travel photography remains a passion for me also.
Michelle Radcliffe
Melbourne
Michelle is a Melbourne based photographer who wears several hats. Having taught in schools for a decade she now focuses on her businesses – Pause The Moment (weddings, birthdays, corporate needs and family portraits) and Paws the Moment (pet photography). She is also a professional NDIS counsellor, enjoys life-coaching and still works with students of all ages through her tutoring business. Her teaching roles have often connected her to refugee and migrant families over the years. Having grown up in a close-knit family, she is very moved by the love that drives others to push through incredible challenges for those they care about. She believes photography can both preserve and build invaluable connections across time.
Eva Schroeder
Canberra
Born in Canberra, Eva spent much of her early life studying and working in education, music, design and radio. In 2014 she resumed study, graduating in 2017 with a Diploma in Photo Imaging from the Canberra Institute of Technology. Eva was a finalist in the HeadOn Portrait Prize in 2015 and won the overall CIT/UN Photographic Prize that same year, resulting in an internship with the UN Women’s Office, Fiji. As a result of the images captured during her internship, Eva was selected by the 2016 HeadOn Photographic Festival to be an Associate Exhibitor and presented her first solo photographic exhibition ‘Beneath the Bula Smile’ in both Sydney and Canberra during May and June 2016.
In October 2016, Eva became a photographer for the Canberra Weekly Magazine. This opportunity introduced Eva to her great passion – environmental and creative portraiture. After working for several years at the magazine, Eva decided to go freelance and spend time developing an artistic practice. In 2020 she set up a studio of her own, now specialising in creative collaborations, and working towards completing a photographic fine art series.
In October 2016, Eva became a photographer for the Canberra Weekly Magazine. This opportunity introduced Eva to her great passion – environmental and creative portraiture. After working for several years at the magazine, Eva decided to go freelance and spend time developing an artistic practice. In 2020 she set up a studio of her own, now specialising in creative collaborations, and working towards completing a photographic fine art series.
Sarah Tedder
Wollongong
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Sarah spent much of her life interested in stories and believing herself to be a ‘non-practicing journalist’. However, it was not until she spent an extended period living overseas, where she was unable to practice her usual profession as a lawyer, that she picked up a camera and discovered that it was, in fact, observation and the honest attempt to capture moments in time that interested her more than attempting to describe those in words. On her return to Australia she immersed herself in the journey of learning this new craft, and subsequently started her own business as a wedding, event, family, baby and birth photographer. She also dedicates part of her time to particular causes and issues that she cares about.
