Soheil Ettehadolhagh arrived in 2015 from Iran after fleeing religious persecution. With the help of SydWest, Soheil has been building a new life for his family in Blacktown and continuing his work as a professional photographer.

Soheil has been working with SydWest caseworkers to build his skills, confidence and financial independence in Australia. With more than 20 years’ experience in running a photography studio, Soheil established his new business in 2015 and trades as UNIPIC Photography (drawing on the name of his former business in Iran).

In working with SydWest, Soheil was introduced to Thrive Refugee Enterprise, which offers low-interest business loans to eligible refugees. Soheil was successful in securing a loan that has allowed him to invest in new photographic equipment, aimed at further growing his new business.

Soheil has provided his services to SydWest Multicultural Services to capture the moments of the Blacktown City Celebration of Refugee Week in Mt Druitt, the AGM and some corporate staff portrait photographs. Soheil’s work was also featured in the Beyond Refuge: citizensexhibition at Casula Powerhouse, organized as part of the Arts & Refugees Forum in 2016.

Soheil is now well-settled into the local Blacktown, Western Sydney community life. His wife and children are continuing their education at university. His love of photography, first ignited when he was 10 years old and visited his uncle’s photography studio, continues to bring new opportunities for him, as he enjoys taking a wide range of photographs in the local area.

If you are seeking the services of a local, experienced photographer and want to help Soheil to establish his new business, visit http://unipic.com.au/ for further information.