News

Through a Renter's Lens – photo competition

08/03/2023

Over the last few months the Tenants’ Union has been delighted to host a statewide competition and exhibition of renters' photography. We were thrilled with the number and quality of entries we received on all the three themes of People, Place and Pets.

Beyond technical skill, aesthetic appeal and excellent composition, the renter photographers were able to capture the human side behind the rental crisis currently gripping NSW. Check out the top entries below – tap on each photo for caption and story.

We exhibited the top entries and awarded the winners at a special one-night exhibition at Customs House – scroll down for photos and more from the night.

Top entries

Exhibition night

The exhibition at Customs House showcased the top entries and gave renters’ a platform to share their stories directly with other members of the community, advocates, and organisations dedicated to housing justice.

Over 100 people from all over Sydney came to view and celebrate the renters’ photography. Zoe Norton Lodge brought humour and sparkle in her role as MC, and Leo Patterson Ross (Tenants’ Union CEO) thanked the photographers for sharing their experiences and allowing us to see behind the headlines of the renting crisis. The awards were presented by renter leaders:

Susan Hawkeswood (Make Renting Fair campaign leader, community housing renter and pet lover)
Karyn Brown (Neighbourhood Advisory Representative, Public Housing Action Group
Remaz Adam (Sydney Alliance leader in the Bankstown area and renter)
Amity Lynch (Make Renting Fair campaign leader, and renter for over 25 years)

We also heard impromptu speeches from winning photographers and photography subjects on the night. Photos from the night below were taken by Zebedee Parkes and Jeremy Kerbel.