Q&A with Hilary Walker

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Hilary Walker, a Melbourne-based photographer whose work is quietly powerful – grounded in empathy, subtlety, and a deep appreciation for the everyday. From intimate portraits and interiors to candid moments of birth and family life, her images carry a natural cohesion, shaped by instinct, light, and a love of honest expression.

In this Q&A, Hilary shares her evolving approach to authenticity, the beauty she finds in imperfection, and how travel, collaboration, and community continue to shape her creative journey.

Q. Your photography is known for its natural, intimate feel. How do you approach capturing authenticity in your subjects? 

HW At first, and for a long time photographing people made me uncomfortable. I felt like my skills were being judged as a photographer. Now that I have more confidence and experience my energy goes into helping the subject to feel more comfortable rather than focussing on myself. I think I’ve become good at this just simply through practice and having increasing empathy for people generally. 

Q. Your work spans interiors, portraiture, fashion, and documentary-style photography. How do you maintain a cohesive artistic vision across these different genres?

HW I’m drawn to scenes and expressions that aren’t perfect, a little bit of oddity. I also tend not to shoot things unless the light is really grabbing me / otherwise I light it so that it does. Composition also plays a part in how I take or edit images, and I think the treatment I add also gives cohesion to my work. 

 

Q. Your images capture personal milestones like pregnancy and birth. What draws you to these moments? 

HW In terms of pregnancy, it’s about capturing this very special and beautiful time for people. I have loved my 2 pregnancies, and the second one, particularly was very well documented by myself and 3 (!!) different photographers. I really went overboard. You can be really creative with pregnant bodies - I find it really enjoyable. Birth is a little different. I find it stunning and such a privilege to witness and document these epic days with people. Birth shoots are not creative like the other work I do - it’s more about documenting in the best way possible and being as subtle as possible. I get a huge adrenaline rush when the baby finally comes out - a healthy high!  I feel so lucky to be there (and without any medical responsibility!) I love debriefing with families afterwards. 

Q. You’ve worked with an impressive list of clients, from Uniqlo to the Australian Conservation Foundation. How do you adapt your vision to fit each project while aligning with clients’ needs? 

HW Honestly, lots of my work has a look and feel that I love, but lots of it doesn’t! I only put what I feel suits my style online so that I can attract like-minded clients. On the whole, though, people usually come to me because they want something like what they have seen of mine, so it’s not usually tricky to fit in with client's needs. 

 

Q. Your two-week family holiday to Japan resulted in a stunning collection of images from Tokyo and Kyoto. What moments or locations in these cities stood out most to you?

HW Thank you! I just really loved wandering around the streets with my camera; it was the best. I loved the architecture, whether that be a tiny shop front or a huge block of apartments. The attention to everyday objects really stood out to me - a row of neatly hung plastic umbrellas,  piles of rubbish bags looking sculptural and tidy, plastic crates piled high. The colours, signage, light and all the pot plants also really grabbed me. I have explored similar themes in my neighbourhood in Reservoir. I love observing and documenting the effort and care people take with their humble belongings - heartwarming. 

 

Q. With such a diverse body of work, how do you stay inspired and continue to evolve as a photographer, particularly balancing personally creative projects with structured work?

HW I am very much inspired by new locations such as Japan, and I’m much more motivated to photograph my family on holiday too. So I shoot personal work very much in fits and starts. Having a family means I have focused more on paying clients. Also, my habit of waking in the morning and scribbling down ideas for shoots is long gone - perhaps once I have teenagers, I will get back to that. I keep motivated by finding creative joy in my paid work though very much so. Interiors with portraiture, product shoots and family photography all really float my boat.

Q. With so many notable projects under your belt, what upcoming themes or collaborations are you most excited to explore in your photography?

HW I’m keen to work with more stylists. I shoot a lot of work solo, and I’m a sociable person - I’d like to do more collaborations and get more creative work coming through. I’d also like to travel more and just see what I find. Shooting for prints then selling them is a real work highlight for me - it really puts a spring in my step imagining my work on someone’s wall.

 

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Learn more about Hilary Walker, and explore her photography, here: https://www.hilarywalker.com.au/