The Iris Photoscapes story
Four pairs of eyes. One shared vision.
A family story shaped by migration, Australia’s vast landscapes, and a camera passed from one generation to the next.
A new home
Fleeing to safety in an old fishing boat
During the northern summer of 1981 a little group of refugees made the perilous voyage from Vietnam to the Malaysian coast. Among those swiftly sheltered in Australian homes was Dr. Tam Doan, his wife Thanh-Tam Pham and their 10 month old son Hieu. Southern Australian temperatures were below average that June but warm smiles need no translation, this was to be their new home.
A family behind the camera
The interest returns
Tam and Thanh-Tam had enjoyed photography in Vietnam, but the demands of resettlement placed it to one side. Nearly fifteen years later, Hieu’s growing interest in photography at high school rekindled their enthusiasm.
Linh soon revealed her own eye for colour and composition. What began as a returning interest became a family pursuit, taking them on long photographic expeditions across Australia.
Each family member sees a place differently. Those distinct viewpoints—and the conversation between them—remain central to Iris Photoscapes.
The idea behind the name
“What the eye’s iris sees, the camera’s iris records.”
The family values photographs that feel true to the moment: natural light, careful composition and the patience to be present when the landscape reveals itself.
The original process
Large-format landscapes
Much of the early Iris Photoscapes collection was created on medium- and large-format film, including a 6×17 panoramic camera. The family chose these formats for their detail, tonal range and ability to produce expansive prints. Their transparencies were traditionally reproduced as richly coloured Cibachrome prints.
Meet the family
Four photographers
Dr Tam Doan
Dr Tam Doan is a fulltime general practitioner practicing in South Australia. He has a passion for the beauty of the Australia landscape and wilderness. His passion for landscape photography has taken him to many parts of Australia.
View photographs →
Thanh-Tam Pham
View photographs →
Hieu Doan
View photographs →
Linh Doan
View photographs →
Explore the work