BTS: Portrait Pop-Up, Sydney
Photo Credit: Kieran Morrissey
Barely two months from launch, MADE IN KIN touched down on Gadigal Country, hosting our second Portrait Pop-Up in Sydney, bringing together the first wave of Sydneysiders for our Creative Directory. After our first Melbourne shoot back in January, the wait felt long. But this group didn’t waste time – they arrived ready, open and fully themselves.
I had landed back in Australia less than 48 hours earlier, fresh from five weeks in the Philippines. Still in that in-between feeling – part here, part there – but maybe that’s exactly the point. MADE IN KIN exists in that space. Between cultures, between languages, between identities that don’t need to be simplified to be understood.
Some of the creatives in the room I’d been speaking to for months. Others I met for the first time that day. All were invited with intention – across disciplines, ages and experiences. And yes, the plastic chairs made the journey too – shipped from Melbourne to Sydney, ready to hold another round of stories.
Pauline Morrissey
Writer • Founder of MADE IN KIN
Fresh from travels in the Philippines, I stepped in front of the camera again – still nervous, but proud in my Morena skin. This time, I wore the Filipiniana dress I had worn for my cousin’s wedding just weeks earlier, its formality contrasting with the plastic chair beneath me. There was less pressure this time, but more clarity. A deeper understanding of what MADE IN KIN is becoming, and what it asks of me. I’m ready for it.
Steph Jowett
Director • Writer
Soft-spoken and warm, Steph arrived with a demeanour that quickly settled a room. There’s a gentleness to her that puts others instantly at ease, offering a beautiful contrast to the boldness of her work. Once in front of the camera, everything aligned – strong, composed, completely assured. With her partner Tilly cheering her on – equal parts collaborator and steadfast supporter – Steph set a confident tone for the day.
Lauren & Kass Hernandez
Co-Founders of Crossing Threads
Even before they spoke, you could tell Lauren and Kass were sisters. They were perfectly in sync. As the duo behind Crossing Threads, their creative rhythm is instinctive – years of working side by side showing up in the way they move, think and respond to each other. In front of the camera, there was no hesitation. Just clarity, confidence and a strong sense of identity. Their back-to-back portrait on the plastic chairs was instantly iconic.
Caitlin Williams
Designer
Caitlin walked in ready – open, friendly and completely at ease in her own skin. No overthinking, just a natural presence. After her shoot, we spoke about Sydney’s creative landscape – how so much of its energy exists outside the centre, particularly in the west, where she advocates for its untapped potential. It felt like a direct reflection of MADE IN KIN’s purpose – to shift where people are looking, and who gets seen.
Dalin Alejandrino
Artist
Already a big admirer of Dalin’s work, meeting her in person only deepened that admiration. She carries the same softness as her practice – gentle, considered and quietly powerful. There’s an ease to her that draws people in, and beneath that is a story that feels expansive and layered. Armed with a jar of paintbrushes, she stepped into the frame with confidence and stayed long after her session, uplifting others and fully present in the room.
Ayeesha Ash
Writer • Actor • Producer • Podcast Host
Ayeesha arrived bright, warm, instantly shifting the energy in the room. As an actor and podcast host, she’s no stranger to the limelight, but what stood out most was everything in between. Conversations about community, care and the people around her – including her role supporting her elderly neighbour – revealed the depth behind her work. A reminder that what she creates isn’t separate from who she is, but an extension of it.
Kriti Gupta
Writer • Editor
Fresh from an LA work trip, Kriti brought a vibrant, curious energy into the room. There’s a confidence in how she moves, balanced by an openness that keeps conversations flowing. We slipped into conversation like we’d known each other for years – swapping stories, unpacking industry realities and already planning future catch-ups. By the end of it, I had asked her to write for MADE IN KIN. It felt like a natural next step.
Jade D'Amico
Photographer • Creative Director
As our photographer for the day, Jade led with a calm confidence that anchored the entire room. Shooting on film, every frame was intentional – no rushing, no unnecessary direction, just presence. They met each person exactly where they were, adjusting energy, pace and approach to suit. It’s a rare thing when someone this talented is also this warm. Everyone who stepped away from their session with Jade had nothing but praise.
Jasmine Skewes
Community Connector
Jasmine – my little sister – would never call herself a creative. But spend even five minutes with her, and it becomes clear how much she shapes the spaces she’s in. From welcoming people at the door, to checking in throughout the day and organising lunch, she carried the room in ways that often go unseen. Where I tend to thrive in smaller circles, Jasmine can uplift an entire room. That kind of warmth is priceless.
Satara Uthayakumaran
Advocate • Writer
Despite a three-hour drive from Canberra, Satara entered the room with a smile on her face. Having read her work through MADE IN KIN, I already knew the depth of her thinking – but meeting her in person revealed something more. Each time I introduced her and mentioned her role as Australia’s UN Youth Ambassador, she met it with humility. Despite everything she has achieved at such a young age, she’s so humble in how she takes up space.
Luisa Brimble
Photographer • Creative • Cook
A powerhouse in the hospo and creative scene, yet one of the most humble people in the room, Luisa came straight from work and moved gracefully into the shoot. Hair and makeup done on-site, energy fully intact. One of the few confidants I’ve been relying on during these early months of MADE IN KIN, Luisa is an “ate” to me. Watching her step in front of the camera in her red suit, I couldn’t have been prouder.
Victoria Garcia
Illustrator • Textile Designer
Closing out the day, Victoria stepped in front of the camera radiant and composed. Between shots, she spoke about her current projects – starting a full-time role with a major fashion brand and working on several mural commissions. Before leaving, she shared kind words about MADE IN KIN, noting there’s nothing quite like it in Australia. For some, that might feel like pressure. To me, it feels like confirmation we’re on the right path.
