The More You Know is a collaborative effort of Illawarra photographer Sarah Pulling (under the name of Bear Hunt Photography) and SCARF (Strategic Community Assistance to Refugee Families).  

It is a series of photographic essays featuring individuals from refugee backgrounds from within the SCARF community.

Ms Pulling said the aim was to share stories of individuals from refugee backgrounds that represent them as “diverse and multi-dimensional people with lives and identities outside of their refugee experience”. 

“Accompanying these photographs are stories told by these people – about their own lives, experiences, the world and everything in between,” she said. 

The first installment of the series was published online earlier this year. 

The fifth installment of the series has now been released. 

“It is from a conversation with some youth living in the Illawarra but originally from the Congo, Iran and far western NSW,” Ms Pulling said.

“Featured in the latest photo essay is Elie, Des, Celeste and Zein Ab* in conversation with me.”

The quartet came together through participation in the ‘Let's Lead’ program.

This program is aimed at individuals from a range of backgrounds and experiences, including former refugees.

“They talk about leadership, overcoming challenges and give advice based on their own personal experiences,” Ms Pulling told the Mercury.  

“While we recognise that it’s impossible to capture the depth and complexity of a person in their totality, we’re hoping to share stories that edge a little closer toward this, and a little further away from narratives that are singular and reductive.”

You can view the latest essay at the www.bearhuntphotography.com/themoreyouknow/themoreyouknow-5 website. 

*Surnames withheld by request