A young Gamilaraay girl with a fascination for cameras, Cassandra Edwards grew up knowing she wanted to make an impact in the photography space, showing young mob just where their dreams can take them.
Recently, she shot her first of four CommBank Matildas matches, as the squad took on Slovenia and Panama in Boorloo (Perth). She shares the journey that led her to that moment.
"I’m a Gamilaraay woman on my father’s side, with connections to family on Koori country stretching from Tamworth to Bourke, NSW and I’ve lived on Noongar boodjar my whole life," Cassandra said of her roots.
Coincidentally, although she was born in Fremantle, WA, she grew up in Bunbury, where she would go on to shoot one of her first Matildas' matches.
It was actually Cassandra's sister who inspired her story behind the lens.
"I have a background in film, but I’ve always been fascinated by cameras," she explained.
"When I was little, my big sister brought home a digital camera and I was obsessed. I wanted to play with it every chance I got. I used to make films with my friends and taught myself how to edit as a teen. I just loved everything about capturing moments. That curiosity never really left."
She went on to study cinematography as part of her film degree and has been working in media for over five years. About halfway through, she felt herself being drawn to photography, particularly within sport.
"I absolutely fell in love with it," she said. "For the past two years, I’ve been a full-time freelance photographer and I’ve never looked back."
Sport had always been a big part of Cassandra's life growing up, so combining two of her passions made perfect sense.
"I grew up with my mum, big sister, and two big brothers. We were a big sporting family," she said. "There was always a game of basketball, softball, netball, or footy happening somewhere.
"I’ve played sports my whole life. My mum used to spend her weekends driving me to whatever sport or hobby had me obsessed. I'm very grateful for her support in everything I wanted to do when I was younger."
Unfortunately, injury cut Cassandra's sporting aspirations short, but her involvement didn't waver.
"I’ve always loved everything about sport," she continued.
"The commitment, the team camaraderie, the way it builds confidence and community, especially for young women. So even though I can’t play at the level I once did, being able to capture those moments that meant so much to me as a player is incredibly special."
The CommBank Matildas are a team who have generated a multitude of special moments. Whether it be during the famous penalty shoot-out against France in the quarterfinal of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup or simply, the look on a young fan's face when they meet their hero and "see what they could be."
Cassandra reflected on how special it was for her to have the opportunity to capture more of these moments during the team's recent four-match friendly window.
"I’ve always been surrounded by strong women in my life and I credit them for the confidence I have now. I see so much of that strength in the Matildas and what they stand for," she said.
"They’ve done amazing things for the progression of women’s sport in Australia, so getting the opportunity to photograph them was unbelievable. I’m such a huge fan, of them as athletes and of what they represent."
NAIDOC Week 2025 also runs during this period, with its theme: "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," one that is especially meaningful to Cassandra.
"To me, this year’s theme is about making space for the next generation: lifting them up, backing them, and showing them what’s possible. I think a lot about how lucky I was to be surrounded by strong women growing up, and how that shaped me. Now I want to be that for someone else," she said.
"In my work, I try to create and capture moments that young mob can see themselves in. Whether it’s behind the camera or out on the field, I want them to know that they belong and that their stories matter. Legacy isn’t just about what you leave behind. It’s about what you build now to ensure others can continue after you.
Blaklens has been a huge catalyst for a lot of the work I’ve been doing," she continued.
"It has helped me connect with other First Nations creatives, grow my confidence, and remind me that there’s space for us in this industry. I really look up to Michael Torres and the work he does to advocate for mob and push for more representation. I’d love to do similar work, advocating for young mob, especially girls, to get into this space and feel like they can take up that room too.
"If I’d known this was a path earlier in my life, I think I would have arrived here sooner. I didn’t even know this kind of career was possible, so now I want to make sure that younger mob do.
"It’s not about being the first or the only one. It’s about opening the door wider so more of us can walk through."
Photography is generally an expensive path to follow, which Cassandra believes can be a barrier to others picking up a camera, but she's passionate about levelling the playing field.
"I’ll be the first to admit it’s an incredibly inaccessible career," she expressed.
"Camera gear is expensive, and when you’re just starting out, that’s the first big hurdle. I spent a year paying off my first camera, and that’s before you even factor in all the extra bits: lenses, cards, batteries, editing software etc.
"Even now, I’ve been lucky enough to shoot for the AFL, NRL, and Football Australia, and I still don’t have all the gear I’d need to properly shoot those events.
Long-term, I’d love to help create scholarships, funding, or gear libraries, anything that could help young mob get past that financial barrier. There is so much talent out there, and money shouldn’t be the thing that holds anyone back."
In terms of advice for girls and women wanting to break into the industry, Cassandra encourages everyone to claim their space and know they belong.
"The best advice I can give is to walk into these spaces knowing and believing that you belong here. We belong on the sidelines, behind the camera, in the media rooms, just as much as anyone else," she said.
"There have been times when I’ve been the only woman on a job, and it can feel a bit daunting. But luckily, never enough to hold me back. I love this work, and I put everything I have into it.
"Ask questions, be curious and learn how to research. Watch videos, read articles, follow photographers you admire, and find out everything you can. I don’t think a single week goes by where I’m not learning something new; a new technique, a different editing style, a different way to shoot.
There’s always more to learn, and that’s part of what makes it exciting."