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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Samantha Harris, 2010 (printed 2026)

Hamish Ta-Mé

pigment photographic print (sheet: 86.7cm x 65cm)
Samantha Harris, 2010 (printed 2026)

‘In this series, I asked many of the fashion models I worked with to be photographed immediately on arrival at the studio before they subject themselves to hair and makeup. They still have the energy and vibrancy of the street about them, counterbalanced by the stillness that is demanded by the technique of shooting with available light with low depth of field. My intent with this series was to collaboratively create an intensity and engagement, an exchange of power and energy. Pulling up this file from my archive 16+ years later I looked into Samantha’s eyes, and myself reflected in them, and was transported to a different version of me, inhabiting a vastly changed world.’

Hamish Ta-mé lives and works on Tharawal Land in the Southern Highlands, New South Wales. Alongside his commercial practice, he creates street-style portraits that examine the tension between stillness and motion, and isolation and connection.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2011 Finalist

National Photographic Portrait Prize
(More information, View all 21 images)

Rosemary
Troye Sivan
Lyu with Orchid
The Goodall Boys

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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