Department of Social Services
Disability Photography Library
The Challenge.
The Australian Government’s Department of Social Services (DSS) needed to develop a suite of communication products supporting Disability Reforms. This required a photographic library showcasing people with disabilities actively participating in society. The project demanded photographing at least 20 individuals with a range of disabilities across diverse cultural backgrounds, ages, and locations, including their families, carers, and assistance animals. Locations were to span metropolitan, regional, and rural Australia, with images required for use in a variety of communication products. The photos needed to capture different areas of life for people with disabilities, from employment to leisure, and include consultations and support services. The task involved managing multiple rounds of feedback and delivering over 250 images to DSS specifications, with comprehensive metadata.
Our Approach.
After being awarded the contract, we designed a production plan based on a detailed shooting matrix to cover all key ‘areas of life’ outlined in the brief, while representing a diverse range of talent, disabilities, and settings. Our eight-day shoot spanned New South Wales and Victoria, featuring over 100 talent across 25 locations. We sourced talent through a combination of social media, street casting, and direct outreach to disability organisations, supplemented by a specialised disability talent agency. Our creative approach aimed for authenticity, capturing each scene documentary-style photography rather than posed shots. This allowed us to create natural, respectful images that reflected the real lives of the participants.
The Result.
We delivered a comprehensive library of 400 unique images, exceeding DSS’s expectations and the original brief. The photographs portrayed the talent in a positive, authentic light, elevating the quality of DSS’s communication products. In addition to the images, we provided detailed metadata sheets for each photograph, ensuring easy integration into DSS’s resources. The feedback from across the department highlighted the success and impact of the project.
- Client:
- Category:
- Photography
- Outputs:
- 425 Edited Images, Comprehensive Metadata Sheets
- Services:
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Digital
Print
Production
Production Management
Social Content
