[Joy Kachina]

If you believe a photo holds meaning for you even if no one else sees it, you’re entering a genuine creative space. Over the past five years, I faced the challenge of sharing the story of the endangered Cider Gums in a region filled with beautiful documentary-style images. I realised simply documenting the trees wasn’t enough; The trees were dying, and I understood the need to capture these trees, where life still thrived.

Wandering through these native Tasmanian forests, I came to understand that young saplings rely on the nurturing understory to survive. I started to pay attention and really listen, sitting quietly beneath one of my favourite living Cider Gums. My intuitive approach gradually revealed the forest’s own story. The trees wanted the entire ecosystem represented in the frame. Inspired, I focused on central subjects, often deceased trees, and wove in the subalpine plant communities using multiple exposures in-camera. This technique highlighted the vital role of the understory.

My artistic interpretation seeks to inspire conversations about our vital native forests. A few weeks ago, I exhibited the images I created with the Cider Gums, and the response was overwhelming. I am incredibly grateful that I trusted the insights I received from the trees themselves, and I enjoyed sharing the connection that all plant communities have with one another. Kindest Joy Kachina

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[Sarina Jackson]

Joy, I often find that the photos that mean the most to me and I resonate with the most are the ones that don’t for other people. I think this is part of the creative process and journey, as it what we look for, that affinity with where we are and what we are shooting rather than the shot.

[Mieke Boynton]

Thanks for sharing this, Joy! I always feel reluctant (and a bit embarrassed to be honest) to acknowledge that I “listen” to Nature, touch trees that inspire me, and often say “thank you” out loud when I’ve experience a special moment in Nature. I even have a song that I learned from Aboriginal people that is like an acknowledgement of the Spirit of the Land. Unfortunately, I think that talking about it always comes across to a lot of people as a bit kooky and weird and “touchy-feely”… but the truth is, I think we really under-estimate how connected we are to Nature. And I think lots of people do feel that special energy that Nature has… it’s just that it’s quite a personal and private thing, so I don’t necessarily think it’s easy to talk about. Having spent so long in the Kimberley and listening to Aboriginal people talk about their connection to Country, I know that there are cultures that foster this connection in a way that our Westernised culture doesn’t. But whenever I spend time in the bush, I always get filled-up with energy and peace. I don’t get the same feeling from anything else. I think we’re very lucky if we can feel and acknowledge that connection!! And I admire you for wanting to take it one step further and bring this connection to your photographic vision 🙂

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