The Human Side of Healthcare

"We need these photos to show what inclusion really looks like," the Disability Liaison Officer told me, "not just what people think it looks like."

That conversation fundamentally changed my approach to healthcare photography. Working on Alfred Health's Access and Inclusion Plan taught me that authentic representation requires more than just technical skill – it demands deep listening and adaptability.

Breaking Down Barriers

Gone were the staged handshakes and forced smiles. Instead, I witnessed and captured real moments of connection:

• A physiotherapist and patient sharing genuine laughter as they used VR technology for rehabilitation

• Staff skillfully using visual communication cards with non-verbal patients, showing the quiet power of adaptive communication

• The dignity of independent access, as patients used new purpose-built facilities

Learning Through Listening

While photographing Sam, a consumer consultant with autism, I learned that small adjustments make profound differences. When she mentioned how overhead lights affected her, we adapted – no flash photography, repositioning to use natural light. This experience taught me to always ask about comfort preferences before starting a shoot.

These insights now inform every healthcare project I undertake. Understanding the subtle ways that environment impacts people helps me create more authentic, comfortable photo sessions for everyone involved.

Creating Lasting Change

These photographs now serve as powerful tools for:

• Training healthcare staff in practical inclusive care

• Helping hospital leaders identify accessibility improvements

• Inspiring other healthcare providers to reimagine inclusion

But perhaps most importantly, they show that true inclusion isn't just about physical access – it's about creating spaces where everyone feels genuinely seen and valued.

"A great photograph doesn't just show what something looks like – it shows what it feels like." Looking at these images now, I believe we captured not just the appearance of inclusive healthcare, but its profound human impact.

Project completed for Alfred Health's Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2023-26