Speaker Session 10:00AM
Sarah Pannell
Documentary
Discover how documentary photographer Sarah Pannell uses observation, storytelling, and human connection to create meaningful images that capture culture, place, and everyday life.
Join acclaimed photographer Sarah Pannell as she explores the power of documentary photography and its role in preserving culture, place, and everyday human experiences.
Drawing from years of work across Australia and around the world, Sarah will share her approach to observing and documenting life as it unfolds naturally. Through stories, projects, and personal experiences, she will discuss how photographers can build meaningful narratives, gain trust with their subjects, and create images that communicate a deeper understanding of people and their environments.
This session will examine the importance of curiosity, patience, and observation in documentary photography while offering insight into developing long-term projects and finding stories in the ordinary. Whether you’re interested in travel, street, editorial, or personal documentary work, this presentation will provide inspiration and practical guidance for creating photographs with purpose and impact.
Biography
Sarah Pannell is an Australian photographer, artist, and educator based in Melbourne/Naarm. Her work focuses on documenting shifting cultures, evolving spaces, and everyday life through a thoughtful and human-centred perspective.
A graduate of RMIT University with a Bachelor of Photography, Sarah has published multiple photographic works and exhibited both nationally and internationally, including at the National Gallery of Victoria. Her photography has been recognised through numerous awards and publications, with her work appearing in The New York Times, British Journal of Photography, Lonely Planet, Bloomberg, and many other leading publications.
Working across documentary, travel, editorial, and commercial photography, Sarah is known for creating imagery that explores the relationship between people, place, and culture with honesty, sensitivity, and curiosity.