As a photographer on the rise from Meanjin (Brisbane), Lewis James is waving the flag for his Torres Strait Islander people. With a career that has traversed multiple disciplines including corporate, wedding and music photography, this Meriam/Yidiniji man continues to hone his craft and refine his voice. While he further negotiates his position on how to accurately capture Indigenous identity in 2023 Australia, Lewis’ passion for culture photography has taken root and is heading towards full bloom. His equally stunning and confronting photo of Butchulla/Woppaburra/Gunditjmara Man, Jesse Green, won the Sun Soaked category at Nikon’s My Great Australian Light competition. Armed with a Nikon Z6 II and a Nikon Z fc, Lewis is set to celebrate 10 years in the industry in 2023. See his award-winning image here, and his Instagram here.

This year’s NAIDOC week theme — For our elders — holds great significance for me. It serves as a powerful reminder to prioritise the importance of our elders in our lives and in our communities. To me, it means recognising the wisdom, experiences and contributions of our elders and actively seeking opportunities to connect with them, learn from them, express gratitude for the guidance, celebrate their achievements and acknowledge their resilience.

Over the past ten years I’ve used my Nikon gear to express my creativity through photography. It has allowed me to capture celebrations, indigenous arts, social justice, politics, and precious moments with my family. Photography has been a source of inspiration and connection, giving me a platform to share stories and advocate for important issues. I’m grateful for the opportunities it has brought and look forward to continuing this creative journey.

As an indigenous creator, I have been fortunate to participate in various initiatives within my community that have helped me amplify my voice. Collaborating with indigenous organisations, participating in cultural festivals and events, and attending social justice rallies – have all provided opportunities to express myself. I have also shared these experiences with a wider audience through my online platforms.

For any creators out there who want to support the indigenous community. My advice would be firstly, to start with the basics. Make an effort to learn about your local people, languages, and the land that you’re living on. Secondly, get in touch with or follow and support indigenous creatives online. And lastly, spread positivity and love.

NAIDOC Week runs from 2-9 of July, with events taking place all across the nation. For a full guide, resources and tickets, visit the official website.