Acknowledgement of Country – Running a Small Business in Kingston City Council, Melbourne 🌿
At Laura May Photography, I would like to respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which I live and work – the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation – and pay my respects to Elders past and present. 🖤💛❤️
Photography is my language 📷, but finding the right words to express my gratitude for the land we share is something I’ve been reflecting on deeply. After travelling across many lands around the world 🌏, both for pleasure and for work, I’ve realised that my connection to the lands here in Australia runs profoundly deep. This place is home in every sense – and with that comes responsibility.
Why This Matters to My Work ✨
It felt like the right time to ensure my business messaging reflects my values.
When I photograph families, couples, and individuals, I’m not just capturing people – I’m capturing them in connection with the land. The landscapes become part of their story, woven into the images they’ll treasure for years to come.
I acknowledge that the stories I tell through my photography are very different from those told for tens of thousands of years by local Traditional Owners. Their connection is far deeper, richer, and more enduring than I can ever fully comprehend – and I hold that truth with humility and respect.
A Promise to Tread Lightly 🍃
In my work across Melbourne’s parks, beaches, and bush-lands, I promise to tread lightly.
I encourage my fellow photographers and my clients to do the same – to respect the beauty of the places we are lucky enough to enjoy. This means leaving no trace, being mindful of sensitive areas, and appreciating that we are guests in these spaces.
Learning, Listening, and Respecting 📖
I plan to continue learning about sites of cultural significance within the Kingston City Council area and beyond. Understanding the cultural history of the locations where I work allows me to approach each session with deeper respect and sensitivity.
Photography is about storytelling, but it’s also about listening. For me, this is an ongoing journey of education and reflection.
Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land. 🖤💛❤️
Further Reading
If you’d like to learn more about the cultural heritage of the Kingston City area and the Bunurong people, I encourage you to explore local council and First Nations resources. Every step in understanding helps us all create with greater respect. 🌿
LAURA MAY PHOTOGRAPHY | MELBOURNE AND MORNINGTON PENINSULA | FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY | NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY | MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY | FAMILY PORTRAITS | BRANDING PHOTOGRAPHY | OPEN, INCLUSIVE. NON-JUDGEMENTAL FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY
