Love and Companionship
This portrait series explores the evolving nature of human relationships, challenging traditional ideas of love and companionship. It reflects diverse experiences of companionship, intimacy, and support—whether through romance, friendship, or community. The work invites viewers to consider the many ways we find connection, love, and belonging in our lives.
When I grew up 50+ years ago romantic relationships consisted of a man and a woman, or so I believed. I had many relationships in my younger adult life, most of them unsuccessful. For the last 18 years after my divorce I have been single, bringing up a child and now he has moved out, it’s just me. My ideal romantic relationship would be someone who does not necessarily live with me, but thinks of me as a loving companion to do things, someone to think about and who thinks about me, someone to love and be loved but not necessarily be ‘in love’. I have wonderful friends with the many women in my life who lend a shoulder when I am down and laugh with me in times of sadness, silliness and joy. But wait, this is not about me!
And it’s not all about romantic love.
I am looking for relationships to be a part of this project. Couples and/or friends who would like to express their love and/or companionship in a portrait and as part of an exhibition to be shown in 2026. The fee is $250* and I come to your home (or somewhere that is important to you) to do the photography. I create a set of images from which we choose one or two images to be a part of the exhibition. The rest you get to keep as A4 printable files. I would love you both to write a paragraph or two about your love and companionship to be a part of the exhibition, too. The exhibition print will be for sale, but there is no obligation to purchase.
So, if you are new in a relationship or had 60 years of friendship, love or companionship/deep friendship, I would love to hear from you.
Please email me hilary@hwp.com.au
*this fee is necessary to help fund the out-goings of the photography and the administrative time, post production and the cost of holding an exhibition. If you’d like to participate but would find $250 difficult, please let me know.
“A companionship is a close, supportive relationship between two (or more) people. This can be a platonic friendship, a romantic relationship, or a professional relationship. The key element of a companionship is that both parties find value in the relationship and feel supported by the other person.”
as for the definition of love…. I leave that up to you…
Zev and Nick
Zev and Nick met 15 years ago and together for 8 years. Their relationship developed over time and they now share a home and often a bed. They have plans for the future. Zev is queer and 7 months into their relationship began medically transitioning. Nick also has a girlfriend and they have been going out for three years. Zev is not in an any other relationship at present. Zev and Nick’s relationship is non-monogamous and they love each other.
Fiona and Megan
When you connect with someone and then find there are so many other things you also love. It's not just about having things in common; it's about making things together, and the way you both see the world through the same creative lens, while having so much fun together. Here's how we see each other.
Adventurous
Bossy
Creative
Dynamic
Eclectic
Feisty
Gregarious
Happy
Influential
Joyful
Kinetic
Loving
Magnanimous
Notable
Open-hearted
Practical
Quizzical
Reliable
Supportive
Tenacious
Unpretentious
Veracious
Wonderful
Xyloid
Yakety
Zealous
Adventurous
Bossy
Creative
Dress up
Eccentric
Fireking
Genuine
Honest
Inspiring
Joyful
Kindred
Loving
Messy
No-nonsense
Opinionated
Party lover
Queenie
Rabbit hole
Social conscious
Together
Upcycler
Vanlyfe
Wonderful
Xenophile
Young at heart
Zany
Tom and Margaret
Story to come
Peter and Barbara
Barbara and I have been in and out of each other’s lives for over 40 years.
Sometimes together, sometimes apart, we’ve ended up as friends. We’ve shared many things; we’ve travelled together a little, we’ve enjoyed listening to jazz, we’ve browsed antique markets. Most of all we’ve shared a love of theatre, particularly musical theatre, and both of us have performed on-stage and been involved in many areas off-stage.
Barbara has always been a people-person, and Alzheimer’s can very easily be isolating, so once she no longer had her driver’s licence and I had become her chauffeur, I arranged for us to do volunteer work together at Meals on Wheels, and to sing together with Alchemy Chorus (the Canberra dementia choir).
Barbara is now in care, and more limited in what she can do. I visit her each evening to get her ready for bed. We share strawberries, tea and coffee (with a splash of Frangelico liqueur in her coffee), and watch tv together. Doing this is a reassuring routine for Barbara. Dementia is terrible, strange, and challenging, but to be able to support her and continue a long friendship is deeply satisfying.
Pia and Claire
Finding each other slightly later in life means our decision to be together is not influenced by any outside factors. We don’t have the stresses of those just starting out. We have come to this partnership as two independent and whole individuals. And that is precisely what’s given us the greatest freedom to blend our families and create this noisy, messy, super unit. We choose to be together now and forever. That to us is the greatest love of all.
Pia and Claire
Pearl, Matt, Harry and Milo
Pearl, Matthew Curtis & Harriet Schwarzrock, Milo
26 February 2025, courtyard, Upper Queanbeyan
We live and work together, our courtyard bridges our home and our glass studio. Compromise is the craft of our relationship; interestingly it and gives us space and binds us together. Recently empty nesters we still adore hanging out and tangling up together on any couch, hounds permitting.
Matt and Harry
Liam and Jenny
mum means so much to me as she has been supporting me throughout my life. she drops and give things up to help me in my future. She also helped me for whatever I want to do and she been incredbly supportive. we get along so well as we traveled the world together, like China, New Zealand and Euproe, and she helped my start my bussness ‘Everyone Needs a Liam’. she been by my side and I couldn’t have a much better mum
Liam
Liam’s website can be seen here
Heide and Brian
Story to come…
Ginger, Rachel and Belinda
BELINDA:
Growing up, I had two brothers and no sisters. I lived in a small town and the handful of girls my age all hung out together. Then for high school, I was sent to new school for years 11 and 12. I pretty much kept to myself. I was fit and athletic arrogant/weird. Truthfully, I didn’t really have the skills to fit in. I got married young and the also went into a male-dominated career. Only about 10 years ago I met Rachel and Ginger. The female friendship they give me is so powerful, loving, trusting and strong. Their extraordinary friendship means I move through the world with strength and courage, because I have a strong base. They always have my back.
GINGER:
Rachel and Belinda are my ride or die. There’s nothing I can’t talk to them about - even if it’s really dark or taboo. When there’s a crisis, I know with my whole heart that both of them will be there in a second. It’s not luck - we put a lot of love and time into our friendship, and the openness makes our bond stronger. It’s not all roses; they will also hold me to account. We live and a society that prioritises heterosexual love, but for me this kind of love is equally or even more important. It’s life sustaining. You know those dark, terrible days when you think you can’t get through? The love from these two women is what pulls me through.
RACHEL:
I’m not recruiting… an arrogant and incorrect statement!
I am 53.
I have a lot of friends, some of whom I’ve had for 35 years.
But here’s the thing: you can’t stop yourself from falling in love.
That’s what happened when I met Ginger and Belinda.
I wasn’t recruiting, it just happened.
It’s impossible to detail my emotions and feelings for these women. Some of them,
I have never felt in any other relationship.
Safe to be myself completely.
Safe to be supported.
Safe to be able to give and receive honesty.
When I was diagnosed with aggressive cancer 4 years ago, these women were there 1000%. They were my voice, my arms and legs.
They fed me, made me laugh and cry but most of all they supported me to navigate the worst, scariest moments of my life without judgement.
Other friends were the opposite.
I know they always have my back and that’s what makes my heart sing… they know I have theirs!
Helmut, Saheeda and Macy
36 Years, a Lawn, and a Lot of Love
This photo captures something simple—Helmut mowing the lawn in the background, me hugging our sweet dog Macy—but to us, it’s a small snapshot of 36 years of marriage, love, and shared life.
We didn’t come into this marriage fresh and unscathed. Both of us had been in long-term relationships that didn’t work out, and maybe that’s what made it so special when we met. It just clicked. It felt like we had known each other forever—maybe it was the joke I told him the night we met (he does love a good laugh).
Our courtship was short but sweet. We met in March, were engaged by November, and married the following May. We were eager to start our lives together, and looking back, it was one of the best decisions we ever made.
Over the years, we’ve built a life anchored by shared values, close family, and an incredible group of friends. It hasn’t always been easy—there’s been illness, loss, anxiety, and money struggles. There were times when walking away might have seemed easier. But the truth is, I couldn’t imagine life without him.
Helmut’s sense of humour, his unwavering love for our family, and yes, his obsession with basketball and sport, have kept us grounded. Together we raised two beautiful daughters who are now happily married themselves. Helmut set the bar high—just ask our sons-in-law!
We’ve built a home—not just a house, but a space where people feel welcome, a place filled with warmth, laughter, and love. Helmut takes great pride in the lawn (as you can see!), while I cherish our animals—Macy and Sandy—like children.
Our marriage isn’t perfect, but what matters most is that we love each other deeply, accept one another for who we truly are, and respect each other’s needs and dreams. That, and a good laugh now and then, is what keeps us going.
So here we are—36 years in and still holding on tight. Just like Macy in my arms, and Helmut behind me, mowing with love.
Jewell and Bruce
Bruce and Jewell first crossed paths as children in the early 1950s at local dances held at the Gundaroo Hall. Bruce’s mother Enid was renowned across the district as a piano accompanist and many nights were enjoyed by locals at regular dances.
Meeting again as teenagers at local youth club dances, Bruce captured Jewell’s attention with his series of fancy cars. A courtship began, followed by marriage at St Patrick’s Braddon in 1965 and three wonderful children. The couple recently celebrated their 60th anniversary with their family, including eight grandchildren.
Over time, the cars may have changed, but their love of the Gundaroo district, where it all began, remains a constant part of their daily lives.
Written by Melinda.
Kath and Sue
'Oh Kurrajong
It won’t be long before we three’ ll be gone
And you’ll carry on plugged into
Ngunnawal country beside Ngambri too ,
with your tap root
In deep between tuff boulders
You are
A secret survivor of colonial sheep chewing and gnawing away at your little seed filled boats.
We are carried away, shaded and drunk for you in admiration
Brachychiton
Right on !'
George John, Ronaldo, Greg, Arthur and Pat
Greg:
Joining the Pine Nuts, becoming a band member and singer with so many friends was joy and I look forward to Friday afternoons. My daughter gave me bongos for my 90th birthday in 2023. I had never played drums before, nor had I sung since the end of World War 2 (1945).I forget that I had Alzheimer’s when I started making lovely music with my mates.
Pat:
The Pinenuts companionship, fun, conversation, with music "on the side".
I enjoy Friday afternoons.
John:
I enjoy the company and chatter of my friends it keeps us up to date with so many things. I enjoy singing getting together every Friday give me the opportunity to sing and listen to my friends singing.
Ronaldo:
Being a Pine Nut gives me a feeling of ‘belonging’ and ‘giving’ of myself, a sense of contributing and the opportunity to share with others a mutual interest, that we can all relate to, bring pleasure and personal satisfaction, but most importantly the companionship and support that we share…and need. Barbra Streisand sang….”people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world”. I am one of those people.
Arthur:
From guitar lessons between two to a cast of six for an afternoon of fun and companionship.
George:
For me, the most rewarding experience is the camaraderie among guitarists and singers as they work up a new song, culminating in the gratifying ability to play it flawlessly in a short time.
Note from me: My short time with these gentlemen was filled with joy and I was so happy when I left after photographing them. Thank-you to Pat who sang one of his own compositions from his school days about his hometown in Canada for me, I was so touched.. Thanks to George for organising the men. Thanks to Ronaldo for his lovely gift of his poems. Thanks to Arthur and John for your lovely welcoming musical presence. Thanks to Mary Ann for showing me Ronaldo’s exquisite artworks… AMAZING! Thanks to all of your beautiful words (above) and what it means to have each other in your lives. Greg, you made me cry!
Left to Right: George, John, Ronaldo, Greg, Arthur and Pat