Marley Morgan grew up in Lightning Ridge, a remote town on the New South Wales and Queensland border known as Wallangulla and famed for its opals. So she's intimately aware of the limited opportunities available to those who desire a career in the arts if they live outside a major city. Through her new project Shutter Sistas, the Wiradjuri and Gamilaraay photographer has ambitions to change this.

In 2024, Morgan will launch a series of photography workshops specifically designed for Indigenous women in remote communities across the country. With nearly a decade of photography experience under her belt, Morgan will mentor and nurture the creative ambitions of aspiring photographers in areas that are historically underserved.

To do so, Morgan is raising funds to cover the cost of her travel expenses as she facilitates the Shutter Sistas workshops. With a target goal of $20,000, the artist is calling for donations which will enable her to "create a platform that encourages other Indigenous women to explore and excel in photography and visual arts".

For Morgan, art and advocacy are inextricably linked. Her creative career began around eight years ago when the photographer was signed as a model. The experience opened her eyes to the shortage of opportunities for First Nations people in the fashion industry, motivating her to switch from modelling to photography, through which medium she has the power to create imagery that speaks to her worldview and welcomes other voices and faces that would otherwise remain unseen.

Through Shutter Sistas, Morgan continues this advocacy. Not only is it an important step toward equal opportunity, but in ensuring that representation can continue behind the scenes as well as in front of the lens.

Looking to contribute to Marley Morgan's Shutter Sistas fund? Donate generously here. Alternatively, vote for Marley Morgan to be awarded Shea Moisture's Shea Changemaker of the year, where the winner will win a $10,000 grant.

Image: @marleymorganphotography