Documenting Care: A Day of Disability Support Photography with Destination Accessible
I recently did a shoot with an NDIS approved company called Destination Accessible. It was a day of disability support photography that warmed me to the core.
Destination Accessible have an extensive range of short/medium term respite accommodation (STR) to suit people with disability, including private pools with pool lifts and homes with ceiling hoists.
Their experienced Geelong and Bellarine support team provide high-quality Supported Independent Living (SIL) services for people living with disability. Support can be delivered in the comfort of your own home or in one of their SIL properties, with assistance tailored to individual needs and goals.
Photographing at a location for the first time
Before the shoot, I coordinated with the COO who is also a support worker about the best way to go about the shoot and each location.
For me, each shoot is like walking into a blank slate, however I am also very aware that for the participants and staff involved it is rich in history. Then this random (me) with a camera up in their face walks in to take photos. Often people aren’t 100% sure what they are meant to do, and I find they hide or shrink into themselves.
So I have to go into that space and have mere moments to connect, understand, and work out the best way to document what I need, telling the story the best way I know how.
Being organised and communicating is absolutely key, no matter what the shoot is. I always ask permission to enter a room. This is especially important for young and vulnerable people. I want them to know I respect their place and they have the right to say no.
All of this is actually established before the shoot, too. Before any shoot, I always speak to the client to understand each location, the people, and what they need. Because capturing this kind of honesty, care and connection takes time.
The Brief
Over the day I documented four respite accommodations with their current participants. The brief was to capture the SIL and the participants doing their thing.
Their vision was perfect. To capture the story of the support the workers provide and all that means within the property, not just the property itself. Highlighting the following points:
- The quality and experience of our team
- The relationships we build with participants
- Our values, culture and person-centred approach
- Consistency, safety and meaningful support
- The lifestyle and opportunities we help participants achieve
This vision is exactly the type of work I long for. It offers the opportunity to show empathy and vulnerability in the shoot, rather than a more stock photography feel.
That said, capturing genuine, empathic, kind interactions can take time, as people get comfortable with me (a stranger) and being in front of a camera.
The Staff Took Such Care
The staff at Destination Accessible took such care, and it wasn’t just for show. You could see the connections with the participants.
Whether it was baking a cake together, talking politics, making a cuppa, or giving a participant an ear so they can feel heard, it was genuine and true.
These wonderful humans go into this work because they want to make a difference. The staff members have been hand-picked for each participant, and you can see that makes all the difference.
Such love, compassion, kindness and patience.
Run an organisation doing this kind of work?
Let’s talk about how to tell your story with the same honesty, care and connection.
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