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Amanda Jane Summons

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The Ladies: Lauren

May 29, 2020

Black and white portrait of a woman, lauren, looking directly into the camera. It is a close-up photo of her face. You can see her earrings and floral pattern top.

The Ladies collection is driven by the desire to give each of my ladies a chance to empower herself by stepping in front of my lens and by recording her written thoughts in the interviews about kindness, confidence and giant hamsters. The Ladies series can never truly be complete for there will be always be an endless list of ladies that I’d be honoured to capture in a frame. Want to take part or know more?
I’ll be posting my ladies’ interviews in whole (rather than the shortened versions in the books), featuring my personalised quotes and original introductions from the books. Enjoy!

To have a good friend is one of the highest delights in life; to be a good friend is one of the noblest and most difficult undertakings.
—Anonymous

This is a woman to whom I feel bonded at my very core. While our friendship has only really blossomed in the last few months, I feel a deep kinship with Lauren. She is the kind of friend that when I was struggling to finish the project rallied as many as she could and in fact, Lauren is the main reason why I surpassed 116. I owe the portraits of Dani (her sister), Cailyn, Joanna and the second Emily directly to her. I am also grateful to her for encouraging Lillian and the first Bec to be a part of the awesomeness. I’ve never met anyone quite like Lauren. Her zest for bringing out the best in others is unquenchable and nothing is too much for her. I just hope she knows how much her tribe adores her. Thank you for always asking me the hard questions, thank you for making me realize the things I need to work on and thank you for always making sure I am being my best self. You do you!

To you, what is the best part about being a woman?
One of the greatest things about being a woman (as well as sometimes one of the worst) is that I can express my emotions. I can laugh, I can cry, I can be silly and still be considered a woman. 

What are three words that you’d like to define yourself with?
I want to be defined as intelligent, kind and brave.

What would you tell 13-year-old you?
Honey this won’t be forever. You’re going through a lot of downs right now but I’ve been in that hole before and I know you can get back up. Have courage and remember that although others will be cruel to you, it’s always better to turn the other cheek and not hold grudges.

What are your three most overused phrases?
You do you, YOLO and don’t tell me what to do.

How do you define success?
I always see success differently each time I achieve it. Sometimes it is not breaking down when times get hard, sometimes it has been being the smart person in the room, sometimes it’s been me getting acknowledgement from someone I work for and admire. Mostly, I see success as being able to continually improve upon the last time I did something.

What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
There is never any excuse for bad behaviour, which comes to my most important lesson that I do not deserve to be treated badly because someone else is suffering.

What is the first concert you attended?
I think it was Black Eyed Peas Monkey Business Tour when I was 14!

What, to you, is the most pressing issue women face?
I am super blessed to live in a first world country so my answer reflects my privilege. I think the most pressing issue women face is the toxic gender roles, especially toxic masculinity. Men who are taught it is bad to be like women mean that women and men are forced into rigid and antiquated roles. Men don’t cry. Women can’t do maths. Women are hyper-sexualised. Boys will be boys.

What are your favourite quotes?
Be the change you want to see in the world.

What are your guilty pleasures that you shouldn’t feel guilty about?
I am trying to learn that my guilt pleasure of terrible movies and TV is a good thing. Bad Movie Club has really helped me enjoy it more thoroughly and publicly.

What have the men in your life taught you about being a woman?
I have learnt how it is okay be strong just as much as it okay to be weak. The men in my life have struggled to express their emotions, like when they are sad. I have learnt that being sad isn’t being weak, and in fact my dad cries a lot more now and I love him all the more for it. I love that it took him some time but his emotional growth has turned it into something I am incredibly proud of for he is stronger for it.

Who inspires you?
Strong, powerful, un-compromising women. Women who are smart and kind and don’t apologise for who they are. 

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The Ladies: Berlin

May 23, 2020

The Ladies collection is driven by the desire to give each of my ladies a chance to empower herself by stepping in front of my lens and by recording her written thoughts in the interviews about kindness, confidence and giant hamsters. The Ladies series can never truly be complete for there will be always be an endless list of ladies that I’d be honoured to capture in a frame. Want to take part or know more?
I’ll be posting my ladies’ interviews in whole (rather than the shortened versions in the books), featuring my personalised quotes and original introductions from the books. Enjoy!

[There’s] nothing like a conversation with a woman that understands you. I grow so much from those conversations.
–Beyoncé

Thank you for making so many ordinary moments, extraordinary. We are the #timeturnertwins, queens of going on adventures and growing together. This lady has taught me so much about following my dreams and never taking no for an answer. I credit Berls with the inspiration for having an adventure every month – whether that is a weekend trip or day trip – for these little escapes really make a dynamic life. We met working on an independent student-run amazing magazine called in Brief. It was a chance before the ‘real’ world that allowed us to let our creative juices run wild.
We even met before Berlin had Instagram! So often my mantra is ‘What would Berlin do?’ I love that for this project, I had the choice of a photo taken of you while we were in Wellington, New Zealand, together or one from when you visited me in Canberra. I chose the one of you inside my favourite sculpture, James Turrell’s Within without, at the National Gallery of Australia. Thank you for always making time for me. Here’s to more adventures. 

Top three life highlights?

  1. Climbed Malaysia/Borneo’s tallest mountain, Mount Kinabalu. I spontaneously signed myself up for the hike without having done any exercise for a year. I couldn’t walk for a week after the climb but it was worth it.
  2. Studied abroad in London and managed to get kicked out of the UK halfway through the year because there was an issue with my student visa. Everything was resolved in the end so yay! Happy days, but the whole experience was rather comical – of all people it had to happen to me!
  3. Lived in Copenhagen for a summer and worked as part of a film crew for a Danish short film. I lived with a film producer; she asked if I’d like to try my hand in set design and I couldn’t say no!

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Fish tacos or stir fried Chinese broccoli with garlic and onion. I’d be happy with either.

What is your favourite thing to do in your hometown?
I grew up in Malaysia and every time I go back to visit friends and family, I have to spend my first morning back at a local hawker hall for breakfast. It’s my favourite routine. Even if I land at 6am, I’ll head straight out to a hawker hall and order a hearty breakfast (often 2-3 plates of food because I’m ridden with gluttony and I can’t stop myself). Sometimes it’s noodles and chicken rice, other times it’s roti and nasi lemak (our national dish).

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
On 9 May 2018, Malaysia had their 14th General Election and we saw the opposition party win for the first time since we gained independence from Britain in 1957. It was really monumental because up until this day, we held the record for having the longest running government in history – and it was a terribly corrupted one. One that suppressed freedom of speech, ‘silenced’ people for asking probing questions and stole $1.2 billion of public funds. I currently live in Melbourne but I would’ve loved to have been home in Malaysia when the results were announced – celebrating change amongst a hopeful, ecstatic society.

Who did you want to be when you were growing up?
I read a lot of Sherlock Holmes when I was a kid, so for the longest time I had my heart set on being a detective. I bought myself a magnifying glass and rallied up my friends to help me ‘solve cases’ at school. I was really into it. 

If your house was burning down, what is the one non-living thing you would save?
I have a box where I keep treasured momentos: postcards, photographs, letters, boarding passes and concert tickets. I’d save that.

What are three words that you’d like to define yourself with?
Coffee, cute and cubes (I really like packing cubes).

What is on your bucket list?
Live and work overseas. Ride a hot air balloon. Master Spanish, Danish and Auslan. Change careers and work in user experience. Fly business class on Emirates. Run a marathon. Visit Jordan, Morocco, Turkey and Mexico.

What brings you happiness?
A bear hug after a long day. Solving problems. Heated floors in winter. Boarding a flight. Seeing my family and friends; all of whom live overseas. A soy flat white in the morning. Pay day. Cat videos. The latest season of Queer Eye.

To you, what is kindness?
Not being (super) harsh on yourself and putting yourself in the shoes of someone else for they are fighting their own battle (one you may not
be aware of).

What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
Don’t get trapped in a cycle of comparing yourself to other people. Social media has intensified this, giving us the ability to (constantly) see how well others are doing, but we can’t let it get to us. There will always be someone out there who is prettier than you, more successful than you, travelling more than you, achieving more than you…But there’ll never be another you. Time is better spent investing more in yourself and your happiness, as opposed to living in envy of someone else’s life.

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The Ladies: Barbara

January 2, 2020

The Ladies collection is driven by the desire to give each of my ladies a chance to empower herself by stepping in front of my lens and by recording her written thoughts in the interviews about kindness, confidence and giant hamsters. The Ladies series can never truly be complete for there will be always be an endless list of ladies that I’d be honoured to capture in a frame. Want to take part or know more?
I’ll be posting my ladies’ interviews in whole (rather than the shortened versions in the books), featuring my personalised quotes and introductions. Enjoy!

As I learned from growing up, you don’t mess with your grandmother.
–Prince William

My Barbar. I was the first grandkid and she didn’t want to go by grandma so Barbar got her own special name, just for her. I’ve always loved that my grandparents had their own nicknames, for my grandfather is Grandmax. Barbar is my mum’s mum, or rather Felicity’s mum. Barbar may not have been the image of your traditional grandma who you’d visit for cookies after school but she was never short on advice. Upon my breakup a few years ago, she uttered the now famous line of ‘either he’ll come good or men are like taxis. There’s always another one on the way.’ Thank you Barbar for showing me how to still love life deep into your 80’s – with swimming everyday and attending university courses to keep your body and mind active! You have always done what you want and that is incredibly admirable. I’m lucky to be your granddaughter. You set off a chain reaction of three generations of travellers!

What would you tell 13-year-old you?
Hang in and it will all work out.

What food could you eat all day long?
Pavlova with cream.

What was the first concert you went to?
We didn’t really have concerts back then but I remember going to the Perth Royal Show with my sister, Norma, who is 10 years older than me.

What are your favourite travel memories?
I hitchhiked to Spain in my youth. When I was 21, a friend of mine and I, we hitchhiked through France. We bought a ticket all around Spain, jumping on and off the train. We would get off the train and meet someone at the station who take you home for bed and breakfast and then off you went again! One Sunday when we got to a station, we went to catch the train but of course because it was a Sunday and we hadn’t looked at the right timetable! Didn’t matter – we stayed another night. 

One year with the kids, we had Christmas in England, which was fun. We were living in this gorgeous flat in Queensway. We cooked a turkey and bought all the beautiful stuff in Harrods. We cooked Christmas dinner and for some reason, we had eaten it and everything early so we jumped in the car. We drove all around London and no body was there! Not a car in sight! Everyone was inside having their Christmas dinner so that was quite funny to drive around the quiet streets of London.

On the same trip, we went skiing in Westendorf, Austria and I had great fun helping out with kindergarten ski school by pulling the kids through snow arches!

When are you the happiest?
When I go to swimming at water aerobics to see all my friends.

What’s one travel destination would you go back to?
The Amalfi Coast.

What have been the highlights of your life so far?
Getting engaged and married but probably my 21st birthday trip to South Africa travelling around all on my own.

What do you love most about Perth?
River and the sea being so close.

What piece of advice would you give me?
Don’t ever run after a man or a taxi – there’s always another one coming along. 

Would you rather be a tiny elephant or a giant hamster?
A tiny elephant – I suppose that’s what I am! 

What, to you, is the most pressing issue women face?
This female and male business is silly really. It’s like a war going on or something. 

What is the one thing you cannot resist?
Pot of tea – with an extra pot of hot water. So I can get four cups of tea in one go!

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The Ladies: Aubrey

October 30, 2019

The Ladies collection is driven by the desire to give each of my ladies a chance to empower herself by stepping in front of my lens and by recording her written thoughts in the interviews about kindness, confidence and giant hamsters. The Ladies series can never truly be complete for there will be always be an endless list of ladies that I’d be honoured to capture in a frame. Want to take part or know more?
I’ll be posting my ladies’ interviews in whole (rather than the shortened versions in the books), featuring my personalised quotes and introductions. Enjoy!

When you photograph people in color you photograph their clothes. When you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their soul!
–Ted Grant

Aubrey was the very last portrait taken for 123 ladies edition of the collection and what a joy she was to work with. She made me giggle so much in our early morning catch-up before work. She has a keen eye for fashion and I battled with the choice of whether to include more of her outfit in the photograph but as the quote says above, in black and white, what is captured is the essence of a person. And once I saw those eyes, I didn’t want anything to distract from their magnetic quality. Aubrey is a lady I met through Tegan who even mentions Aubrey in her answers. I love the call outs to women across the project!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Everything in your life is the way it is because you let it be. Plan a little, then jump and build your wings on the way down.

How would you like the men in your life to empower you?
I like to be listened to, believed in, looked after and cared for in a non-condescending way, and the ability to give the same back. This goes for anyone who wants to be a main presence in my life really.

If you were stuck on an island, what three things would you bring?
A satellite phone, a solar charger and water purifier.

What are your guilty pleasures that you shouldn’t feel guilty about?
I love photographing and being photographed. I like wholesome picnics with friends or a day at the beach rather than drinking. I love cheesy romantic gestures and I plan and store ideas away whenever I get inspired. I love learning about money and investing.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
In the future, when intolerance is a thing of the past. Then I’d like to experience a day of normal everyday life, to just observe and experience how different it would be. I’m sure there are so many norms that we just accept as being the way it is today, and I’d love to experience a day in a better future – and I’m sure I’ll get to see some in my lifetime. Teleportation and telepathy would be cool too.

What, to you, is the most pressing issue women face?
Being told not to strive higher or to ask for more. This is a message that is pervasive and silent, often at a cultural and societal level. It’s ingrained in little actions or an off putting turn-of-phrase, it’s disarmingly casual, it’s slight, and it’s perpetuated by everyone, often including people who care for us, whether they mean to or not.

What did you want to be when growing up?
I wanted to be good, beautiful and charismatic when I grew up. I also wanted to be smooth with words. I also wanted to have time to learn all the languages in the world and read all the books in the world. For occupations, it changed all the time, but the reoccurring ones were: secret agent, princess, judge, writer, an actress, a singer, mermaid, and fashion designer.

What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
Just go do it, then tell people about it afterwards, rather than saying it beforehand. Make decisions out of love, not fear. Give yourself time to rest and try again when something unexpected happens. Be honest at all times. People don’t really care what you do (in the best possible way). Tell someone you like them when you like them, you’ll either have a lover or you’ll give someone a special memory.

To you, what is kindness?
Kindness is understanding. Kindness is just letting someone know you get them, and that you understand them. Kindness is spending time with someone, and understanding their thoughts, actions and intentions, understanding who they are, what they want, that you know what’s in their heart of hearts without judgement and just accept them. 

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Myself. I say one line in a Korean TV show so… I’m clearly qualified!

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The Ladies: Asha

October 29, 2019

The Ladies collection is driven by the desire to give each of my ladies a chance to empower herself by stepping in front of my lens and by recording her written thoughts in the interviews about kindness, confidence and giant hamsters. The Ladies series can never truly be complete for there will be always be an endless list of ladies that I’d be honoured to capture in a frame. Want to take part or know more?
I’ll be posting my ladies’ interviews in whole (rather than the shortened versions in the books), featuring my personalised quotes and introductions. Enjoy!

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.
—Maya Angelou

Asha is from one of the three mother-daughter combinations featured in the project for she and her mum Ritu found the project by chance through Facebook posts. This is how they officially became my first two unconnected ladies! Make sure you read her mum’s answers after Asha’s because there is some lovely synergy between the two strong women. Thank you for being brave enough to turn up to my call out for participants and it is an honour to have met you. Keep kicking ass!

To you, what is confidence?
I think confidence, to me at least, is being able to be comfortable with myself. It’s knowing that I am rocking an outfit or being brave enough to go after opportunities I really want. On a good day, being confident to me means feeling absolutely kickass and not hesitating when it comes to speaking my mind.

What is on your bucket list?
My bucket list is a mix of places I want to travel to and adventurous things I want to do. I have a whole list of countries and places I would love to go to Carnival in Brazil and visit Antarctica. In terms of adventurous things, skydiving has been on my list for forever but I’d also love to walk El Camino across the north of Spain.

What, to you, is the most pressing issue women face?
I think one of the most pressing issues that women face is imposter syndrome. The feeling that even if we are fully qualified you are not meant to be there and someone is going to expose you as an imposter. It can be such a big barrier to putting yourself out there and I know I’ve felt it and I know so many women around me have too. 

What book did you read last? And what books are on your to-read list?
I last read Annabel Crabb’s The Wife Drought and her witty writing style was fantastic. There are so many books on my to-read list – Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Any Ordinary Day, Crazy Rich Asians, and so many more.

What would you choose as your Little Miss character to describe your personality?
I think I relate to Little Miss Busy the most but if I could create one for myself it would definitely be Little Miss Sarcastic. 

To you, what is kindness?
To me, kindness is being selfless and noticing the needs of others around you. It’s about putting others before yourself and even going out of your way to help people. That being said, you don’t always need to go out of your way to be kind and sometimes small things you do that you barely even notice can have the biggest impact on someone else. 

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
I would love to go back in time and watch the moon landing. It’s just such an iconic and important event and one that we haven’t had the chance to see again. If we aren’t putting any limits on this, it would be really cool to watch it from the NASA’s mission control room. 

What is your signature dish?
I really love baking and have started experimenting with cookies. My favourite so far have been brown butter chocolate chip cookies. 

You’re happiest when?
I’m happiest when I’m travelling to, and exploring, new places.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I say sorry all the time and a friend once told me ‘If you think you’re going to do something again, don’t say sorry, say thank you instead’. This definitely made me stop and think about how much I say sorry and how saying ‘thank you’ instead can be a more positive comment. Her comment really helped make me more aware about thinking of gratitude towards others rather than regret of your own actions.

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The Ladies: Ash

October 29, 2019

The Ladies collection is driven by the desire to give each of my ladies a chance to empower herself by stepping in front of my lens and by recording her written thoughts in the interviews about kindness, confidence and giant hamsters. The Ladies series can never truly be complete for there will be always be an endless list of ladies that I’d be honoured to capture in a frame. Want to take part or know more?
I’ll be posting my ladies’ interviews in whole (rather than the shortened versions in the books), featuring my personalised quotes and introductions. Enjoy!

I have made a lot of mistakes falling in love, and regretted most of them, but never the potatoes that went with them.
—Nora Ephron

Ash is another of Sarah’s friends and my god, I loved her laugh! To help loosen up for the photo, I had Sarah stand behind me to be funny and we created magic together of a genuine laughing portrait. To me, you can capture happiness on film and capturing that joy, to me, says so much about the human experience. We use laughter in all different situations: when something is funny; to fill an awkward silence; when something isn’t funny but you need to fake laugh; and through tears. What all of these have in common is that, positive or negative, it comes from a bonding experience because in most situations a laughter arises between at least two people as a collective response to the situation. I’m honoured Ash enjoyed the photo so much through the laughter and that I was able to capture that. Finally, given Ash’s love of potatoes, I couldn’t resist the quote above!

What would you tell 13-year-old you?
You aren’t someone who will tick boxes for normal life achievements like buying a house, getting married or having kids. So, stop trying to please everyone, do what makes you happy and find your own personal success.

If you were an animal, what would you be?
A snow leopard.

What are your three most overused words/phrases?
Keen, no worries and yay.

What is your signature dish?
Chicken and leek with polenta. This bore out of the combination of hunger and using what was in the fridge on a public holiday, this dish has now become a staple on my winter meal rotation. This dish is best served with a glass of red wine whilst sitting in front of a fire.

Top three life highlights?

  • Dogsledding in Mongolia with my sister.
  • Drinking Korean wine in Seoul at a local food stall. I was with my best friend and 2 random Koreans who were telling us about their adventure to the Sydney Olympics.
  • Watching the sunset over Hampi, whilst sitting on a giant orange boulder at Matanga Hills.

What is the first concert you attended?
Big Day Out on the Gold Coast.

Where have you lived in? Any standout homes and why?
I have lived in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and now Canberra.
My standout home was a warehouse in Collingwood that was large enough to ride a bicycle inside. The most amazing part of the place will always be the people, housemates and visitors alike. The house had an open-door policy and there was a never-ending array of amazing people staying with us. I learnt so much about myself, others and the world that it will always be a time in my life that I will treasure.

What book did you read last? And what books are on your to-read list?
The last book I read was Nudge. It covers behavioural economics and explores the intended and unintended impacts that policies can have on human behaviour. On my to-read list is The Body Keeps the Score, a book that examines how the body stores the effects of traumatic events and how treating the body and mind can help overcome PTSD.

Would you rather be a tiny elephant or a giant hamster?
Tiny elephant.

What is the one thing you cannot resist?
Potato, in any and all forms. If it’s in a meal description on a menu, I know what I’ll be ordering.

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The Ladies: Arianne

October 29, 2019

The Ladies collection is driven by the desire to give each of my ladies a chance to empower herself by stepping in front of my lens and by recording her written thoughts in the interviews about kindness, confidence and giant hamsters. The Ladies series can never truly be complete for there will be always be an endless list of ladies that I’d be honoured to capture in a frame. Want to take part or know more?
I’ll be posting my ladies’ interviews in whole (rather than the shortened versions in the books), featuring my personalised quotes and introductions. Enjoy!

A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.
— Edward Steichen

We met just for this photo but what caught my attention most about Arianne was her story that as the daughter of a photographer, she had become shy in front of the camera and would actively shun photographs. But she was attracted to this project for the chance to find her way back to being comfortable in front of the lens. I hope I have helped her embrace the power of being photographed.

What have all the females in your life taught you about being a woman?
That to be strong and resilient is to trust myself and my instincts and to be confident in who and what I am. The women in my life are strong and confident and have faced their own battles and found it within themselves to grow as women through this and I have learnt from them. They have taught me that I am unique and that there are only the barriers in life we set for ourselves. And that if I want to strive for certain goals and to do what I love, to have faith in myself that I have the strength to do this. They have also taught me deep respect for all humans, and most importantly the passion to care for and nourish all the woman around me. This means reaching out and being there for others. They also taught me that knowledge can be taught, but wisdom comes through experience. And lots of different and diverse experiences at that!

What would you choose as your Little Miss character to describe your personality and why?
Little Miss Whoops or Little Miss Trouble. I have always been an accident prone person, and as a fiercely stubborn and feisty teenager I found myself in a few accidents and mishaps! I am still a feisty strong woman, however I have toned down this a fair bit (now I’m just cheeky) compared to sneaking out as a teenager to go to parties at a young age 🙂

What is the one thing you cannot resist?
I cannot resist hot chips. I literally have tried places all over Canberra to see where the best hot chips are. We even have Hot Chip Friday at work so that I can eat hot chips 🙂 

To you, what is kindness?
For me kindness is rooted in empathy, compassion and acceptance. It involves being truly and completely present with someone (or yourself!) and being beside them to walk ‘with’ them not ‘for them’. It involves acknowledging that person for who and what they are and ‘opening the door for them’ and just listening and being there for them. 

In what moments are you the happiest?
I am happiest when I am somewhere outside in nature whether it is on a mountain, by the beach; hiking or sitting having a picnic by a river. Nature and all its beauty are so grounding, and I will often go somewhere outside by myself or with family and friends to rest and recharge. 

What are your favourite quotes?
‘Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.’ – Brené Brown. ‘The most gorgeous thing on a human is vulnerability.’ – Brené Brown.
‘I wish to live a life where my soul dances out of my body.’ – Dele Olanubi.
‘I wish to live a life where my soul dances out of my body.’ – Dele Olanubi.

What is your personal mantra right now?
Every year instead of a new year’s resolution I pick a word that I want as guidance throughout the year. My current mantra for the year is maitri (or metta in Buddhism) which means loving, kindness to oneself and others. It is the foundation of the four virtues: Loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.

I am using this to remind myself to be kind to myself each day as I have a tendency to be hard on myself (although doesn’t everyone!).

To you what is the most pressing issue women face?
Inequality. Women and girls continue to face unequal access and treatment in developing and developed countries. Women still face discrimination and violence in so many facets of their lives. Underpinning so many of the issues that face women (domestic violence, unequal pay, education, reproductive rights, access to health care, personal safety and harassment) is our unequal treatment. If women were treated equally just imagine how much women all over the world could shine!

What would you tell 13 year old you?
To slow down and have faith that you will learn and grow from you experiences and that being a young woman is hard, but there are so many kind people in the world who are there for you who you can turn to. I would also tell myself to slow down, you don’t need to try and experience all life has to bring in one moment, it all comes with time. Don’t grow up too quickly and play more.

What is the most important thing you have learnt in the past 5 years?
To be present every day. We spend so much of our lives waiting for the ‘big’ moments to happen we forget to enjoy and be present for each day and all the joys that this brings. It is such a simple concept but so so hard in practice.

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The Ladies: Anna

October 25, 2019

The Ladies collection is driven by the desire to give each of my ladies a chance to empower herself by stepping in front of my lens and by recording her written thoughts in the interviews about kindness, confidence and giant hamsters. The Ladies series can never truly be complete for there will be always be an endless list of ladies that I’d be honoured to capture in a frame. Want to take part or know more?
I’ll be posting my ladies’ interviews in whole (rather than the shortened versions in the books), featuring my personalised quotes and introductions. Enjoy!

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.
–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Anna inspires me constantly. Whether it is because she knows how to make her dreams work running her co-working space or by being one of the most thoughtful people I know, she is one ace of a human. I thank my lucky stars everyday that I get to be friends with her! We technically met initially because I won a ticket to one of her papercrafting workshops. I was brand-spanking new to Canberra and recovering from a broken heart but the unicorn I made that day still hangs on my walls to remind me to be a f***ing unicorn every day! Our paths really crossed when my partner moved in with this sparkly lady and the hijinks ensued. From learning cross-country skiing to Wally walks, from sweating it out over New Years to Drag Race on the couch, I adore this one.

What are three words that you’d like to define yourself with?
Courageous, thoughtful and free.

To you, what is confidence?
Confidence is experience and preparation. It’s support from loved ones and pep talks to yourself in the mirror each morning. It’s approaching every situation with a healthy dose of optimism and not sweating the small stuff when things go pear-shaped.

What would you tell 13-year-old you?
The road less travelled is a whole lot of hard work and making it up as you go. But, the end result is so very worth it and puts you in front of a whole bunch of inspiring and incredible human beings.

What is the one thing you cannot resist?
A cheeky Goodberries run.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
‘I do believe that luck exists, but people choosing to share, support, connect, promote and raise others up is how most things are actually accomplished’ – Adam J Kurtz, ultimate Instagram life coach.

What have the men in your life taught you about being a woman?
My dad taught me to question everything, to take things apart, learn from others, think deeply and seek out advice at every turn. My brother taught me how to care for others and work hard to make a difference. My partner inspired me to connect and engage with everyone you cross paths with, to always be kind and how to make really great cider.

To you, what is it to be female?
Never giving up, and supporting and celebrating others to do the same!

If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?
I would like to swap lives with my dog – lounge around the house, roll in dirt and be showered with love and affection from everyone.

What did you want to be when growing up?
A professional unicyclist.

Who inspires you?
Anyone taking risks, making sacrifices and battling self-doubt to create, inspire change and start something new.

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The Ladies: Anna

October 24, 2019

The Ladies collection is driven by the desire to give each of my ladies a chance to empower herself by stepping in front of my lens and by recording her written thoughts in the interviews about kindness, confidence and giant hamsters. The Ladies series can never truly be complete for there will be always be an endless list of ladies that I’d be honoured to capture in a frame. Want to take part or know more?
I’ll be posting my ladies’ interviews in whole (rather than the shortened versions in the books), featuring my personalised quotes and introductions. Enjoy!

My friends are my estate.
–Emily Dickinson

If I had not ended up in Canberra, Anna and I might have just stayed friends who once worked together a few years back but she well and truly took me under her wing when I first moved there. I can never thank her enough for the support at that time. I love catching up with her because I find her perspective on life so refreshing. She asks the best questions and makes me think about things in a totally different way. She’s a keen interviewer and listener and these are incredibly admirable skills. I need to do more of this for her! As a fellow goal-orientated lady, here is her gold star for being an awesome friend and for being part of this project. 

What motivates you to get up in the mornings?
My phone alarm, habit and reminding myself that I’m usually energetic in the mornings (and evenings) but not the afternoon – if only I could have a siesta every day! I am motivated by lots of things, including learning, writing and spending time with the inspiring people around me. Plus a productive mix of envy and pride. 

What would you tell 13-year-old you?
It’s okay to step back from activities you’re not enjoying, even if they seem more prestigious. Not everyone will like you, but you’ll find plenty of people who will. Also, practise driving on the farm more! 

What is the first concert you attended?
Does the Port Fairy Folk Festival count? We ran wild as kids among the hippies.

What is on your bucket list?
Going on another long multi-day bushwalk. I enjoy exploring new cities, but I’m realising that I really prefer just walking around outside. 

What phobias do you have?
It doesn’t fit the definition of a phobia, but the idea of being trapped in water under ice scares me. Luckily, that’s not such a problem in Canberra. Also, caterpillars are creepy. 

If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be?
It would probably be more of a society-help book, because lots of challenges faced by individuals are actually caused or exacerbated by external structures (economic inequity, the patriarchy, racism…). Telling one reader at a time how to improve their self-care routines seems inefficient. 

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I’m pretty goal-oriented and I enjoy getting gold stars, so the advice ‘don’t postpone joy’ is something that really resonates with me. I’m not sure who said it first.

If your house was burning down, what is the one non-living thing you would save?
Technology means lots of precious things aren’t tangible anymore – photos, music, books, friends’ contacts and my life admin details are all online. So I suppose I’d try and save something non-fungible, like the beautiful blanket my aunt gave me for my 21st. My phone is clearly in my pocket in this scenario.

How would you like the men in your life to empower you?
I’m already very privileged, so I’d like them to focus on being allies and making this the status quo for more people.
The self-described ‘black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet’ Audre Lorde said ‘I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own’. 

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The Ladies: Amelia

October 23, 2019

The Ladies collection is driven by the desire to give each of my ladies a chance to empower herself by stepping in front of my lens and by recording her written thoughts in the interviews about kindness, confidence and giant hamsters. The Ladies series can never truly be complete for there will be always be an endless list of ladies that I’d be honoured to capture in a frame. Want to take part or know more?
I’ll be posting my ladies’ interviews in whole (rather than the shortened versions in the books), featuring my personalised quotes and introductions. Enjoy!

Some people go to priests, others to poetry. I go to my friends.
–Virginia Woolf

Amelia is part of an epic friendship with Eleanor and Rachel (in the hat), who are part of the series. To be able to capture the love that is felt between these three incredible best friends was a real honour, for after taking their photos for the series, we took best friend photos. I love how Eleanor even includes shoutouts to both ladies in her answers. Millie’s answer about the importance of ‘fierce, loyal friendships’ is something that is central to my core too. There really is nothing like the bonding experience of mutual dislike of the same people! But honestly, female friendship is incredibly important to unite women and give us room to grow. Oh and pho is definitely a favourite amongst the ladies as this isn’t the only time it’s mentioned!

To you, what is the best part about being a woman?
The best parts about being a woman, to me, are the fierce, loyal female friendships that I have been lucky enough to develop across the world. There is nothing stronger than the friendships between women who are united by taste, humour, intelligence, and a mutual dislike of the same people.

Who did you want to be when you were growing up?
When I was growing up, I wanted to be a surgeon. That lasted until my mum arranged for me to do my Year 10 work experience in a hospital, and I watched a wisdom tooth extraction. After being carried out of the theatre, I vowed to apply for an International Relations degree.

How would you like the men in your life to empower you?
I’m seeing positive movements more and more towards this in my workplace, but it would be exceptionally empowering for men to not shy away from a discussion or attending an event just because it has the words ‘women’ or ‘gender’ in the title. I’ve found this particularly prevalent in the defence and security space – event attendees are more often than not predominantly male, until the event has a gendered aspect. Then, men will only make up a small fraction of the room. Actively participating in dialogue is the first step towards recognising a problem and moving towards a solution.

What is your signature dish?
Cheats’ chicken phở – it solves everything. After something fresh and healthy? Chicken phở. Something that’s perfect in both the steamy summer months and the icy winter? Chicken phở. Takes twenty minutes to prepare? Chicken phở. Hungover? Chicken phở.

When was a moment that defined you that set you on your path to now?
Deciding to enrol in Indonesian language class at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I studied for six months on exchange in 2013, started a magnificent chain of events that led me to where I am today. Despite its location in the mid-west of the USA (and its lows of -40 Fahrenheit during the winter), UWM had a fantastic Southeast Asian languages unit, and I wanted to come away from my time abroad with a concrete, marketable skill. The rest was history.

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5 star review  Amanda recently photographed Christmas products for my website. I’m absolutely thrilled with the outcome - the photos are gorgeous, professional and creative. Amanda was so fun to work with, I can’t recommend her enough. Thankyou!

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10/15/2020

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I am a passionate photographer, a creative graphic designer and a massive fan of sharing everyone’s but especially women’s stories.

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