Melbourne Portrait, Music, Editorial and Wedding Photographer | Lucy Spartalis

I photographed lovely author Marita Davies for Issue #67 of Frankie Magazine.

Her children’s book Teaote & The Wall tells the story of a Kiribati Islands woman, determined to build a strong wall – tall enough to keep out the gigantic waves that threaten her island home. Using this simple tale, Davies helps children to understand the climate change issues that surround her home country – a country so small that few of us have heard of it.

“Teaote and the Wall is a book for little people. It is a visually stimulating children’s book that is set in the tiny Pacific Island country of Kiribati. But, it’s more than a book.  It’s a movement. And this movement needs you.

 The tiny Pacific nation of Kiribati is currently facing an environmental crisis. Sitting just 3 meters above sea level, the rapidly rising seawaters are threatening the lands and culture of Kiribati. Home to over 100,000 people, the islands of Kiribati are predicted to besubmerged under water within 50 years.

 Kiribati sits at the halfway point between Australia and Hawaii and is one of the smallest nations in the world. And its voice on a global scale is tiny.

 Teaote and the Wall is part of a project to not only raise the awareness of Kiribati’s situation but to also keep the stories of the people alive. We believe that power is education and in order to change the world, we start with the little people we love.

 Let’s talk about a country that so many people don’t even know exist. Let’s leave phrases like ‘climate change’ and ‘environmental awareness’ to the side for now. Let’s talk hot, hot suns and tremendous waves.

 Buy a copy of Teaote and the Wall and you are directly strengthening the awareness and voice for Kiribati.” – Marita Davies

♦ Grab the latest issue of Frankie for more on this talented woman and her work.

The above image is still one of my all time favourites of my own work – actor, elder, musician and national treasure, Jack Charles.
It was captured in 2010 (before this blog existed) whilst Charles was on a break from rehearsals for the hit theatre production ‘Jack Charles vs The Crown‘. We only had a few short moments to get the shot, but that was all that was needed.
His hands were white with clay – much of his time on stage he spent behind his pottery wheel; a reference to the strength that his love of the craft brought him throughout his time in jail.
My dear friend Shelley Blake wrote the accompanying piece, featured in Broadsheet.

Being a photographer allows me to help tell people’s fascinating stories. It’s an incredible honour, and continues to blow me away with each new opportunity.

Dumbo Feather is a magazine like no other. Free from ‘What’s Hot’ lists, pointless celebrity gossip and high fashion advertising, this is a magazine you hold on to for life. Each issue profiles a handful of inspiring people; from all walks of life, all ages, all nationalities. The main connection is their drive to make things better… for their family, their community, their country or the world. Each subject has a fascinating story to tell, and each story fills the reader with inspiration and warmth.

Recently I was asked to visit Eva Slonim – an 82 year old holocaust survivor and long-time educator within Australian Jewish communities – to capture some portraits around her home. The photographs were to accompany a brilliant profile piece by writer Oscar Schwartz.

The article and portraits can be seen in Issue 38 of Dumbo Feather, on shelves in good retailers this week. You can also subscribe online here. You won’t regret it.