Portrait Photography in Oral History

Oral History Victoria online training workshop.

Saturday 8 November 2025, 9.30-1pm, via Zoom

About the workshop:

This workshop is aimed at oral historians who are beginners in photography, aiming to improve their portraiture skills within the context of oral history collection. We will start with an overview of my working principles, how I manage my relationship with the subject, as well as basic technical considerations (backgrounds, lighting, composition, exposure etc). A small selection of my work will be shown as examples, and participants can also share their own photographs for discussion. Everything covered can be applied to both digital cameras and mobile phones. 

Facilitator Anna Zhu:

I’ve been a professional photographer, producer and video director since 2008, commissioned mainly by public sector and not-for-profit clients. I work across a wide variety of industries but always focused on telling stories about real people. The National Library of Australia acquired some of my photography in 2021, which also started my highly rewarding journey as an oral historian. I’ve been lucky enough to win some national and international photography awards, the most prominent prize being sent to shoot in Antarctica with National Geographic. Unfortunately, I still didn’t develop an affinity for wildlife or landscapes. www.annazhu.com

Registration details to come soon.