Behind the Camera: Capturing the Strength of Indigenous Midwives with Tace Stevens

What initially drew you into photography? What themes or subjects do you find yourself gravitating towards in your work? 

When I was a teenager, my Mum had a camera that I used all the time. I loved to take photos of my friends at school and do little photoshoots with my siblings. That all took a backseat when I started working for a community organisation. I was 24 when I attended a photography workshop and have been going ever since. I think what drew me to this medium, was that you could use it in so many ways. To document an event, to see little details in everyday life. Photography is accessible and gives you so many options to play with. I love to use photography to help people tell their story.   

Before participating in this project, what was your understanding of midwifery, and how did you become interested in documenting the work of midwives through photography? 

Before this project, I had a limited understanding of the work that midwives do. When I was asked to come on board this project, I was excited to learn more about what they do.  

Describe the context of where the photos were taken. 

The photos were taken at Minga Gudjaga Gunyah Clinic in Nowra, which is part of the South Coast Women’s Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation. This clinic offers culturally safe, holistic care, including maternal, child, and family health services, as well as sexual and reproductive health. The clinic aims to provide evidence-based, culturally and clinically safe care, enabling women to make informed decisions about their health. It serves as a nurturing space for Aboriginal families, focusing on tailored, strength-based support and ensuring a sense of belonging. 

What inspired you the most while photographing midwives? Any anecdotes worth sharing? 

The Minga Gudjaga Gunyah Clinic is an incredible service to the Nowra community. It’s important work that impacts more than just the mother. The midwives and the wider team inspired me, because I could see that the clients weren’t just another number, but that they were genuinely loved and cared for. When mothers walked in with their babies, all the staff would welcome them with hugs and big smiles. 

What challenges did you encounter during the process of capturing these images, and how did you overcome them? 

It’s always a challenge to make people feel comfortable in front of the camera, especially when you have a short time frame, are in a small room, and personal information about the client is being shared. With each new client, explaining the project and how their photos would be used made them more relaxed. During the appointments, I worked quickly and quietly to get the coverage I needed, before thanking them and leaving.  

How do you believe your photography contributes to shaping perceptions of midwifery, and sexual and reproductive health? 

My photography shows potential clients what they could expect if they had a midwife. I believe it would help them feel more comfortable about this process, because you can see in the photos that the clients look comfortable and supported by their midwives.  

What message or emotion do you hope viewers take away from your photos of midwives? 

I hope that viewers can see the benefit of having a midwife.  

Now that you’ve completed this series, how has your perspective on midwifery evolved? 

My knowledge is still limited, but I learnt a lot. I better understand the importance of having First Nations midwifery clinics, which we need throughout Australia. The holistic care that these midwives provide to Indigenous mothers is so important. Mothers can be at risk of having a traumatic birth or having postnatal depression. It’s so important that mothers get the care they need during and after their pregnancy.