Episode 04 - Jake Simkin | Migrant Soul
Through the Lens: Witnessing Humanity in the World’s Darkest Places
A photojournalist’s journey through conflict, identity and the stories that never leave you
What happens when your job is to witness the world at its most confronting?
Not through headlines.
Not through a screen.
But standing inside the aftermath of conflict, disaster, and human suffering - camera in hand.
For Melbourne-based photojournalist and filmmaker Jake Simkin, this has been reality for more than two decades.
In this episode of My Migrant Soul, Jake sits down with Imran Abul Kashem to share the experiences that shaped his life, his work, and the way he understands humanity itself.
Growing up between cultures
Jake’s story begins in Malaysia, where he was born on an Australian Air Force base to a Malaysian mother and Australian father.
From the beginning, identity was never straightforward.
Raised between cultures, communities, and expectations, Jake describes growing up feeling both connected and disconnected at the same time. He speaks openly about being caught between worlds - navigating Australian culture while remaining deeply connected to his Malaysian and Muslim heritage.
That experience sparked something early:
A fascination with people, culture, and belonging.
It also planted the seeds for the work he would eventually pursue.
Discovering photography - and purpose
Photography entered Jake’s life while he was still in school.
What started as creative curiosity quickly became something much bigger.
Rather than chasing commercial work or polished imagery, Jake found himself drawn toward documenting real life - homelessness, multicultural communities, social justice projects, and the people often overlooked by society.
The camera became more than a tool.
It became a way of understanding the world.
And eventually, that curiosity led him far beyond Australia.
The moment everything changed
One of the defining turning points in Jake’s journey came after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
Arriving in the aftermath of devastation, he was confronted with mass loss on a scale he had never experienced before.
Thousands of lives gone.
Entire communities destroyed.
Families shattered overnight.
But among the destruction, Jake remembers something unexpected:
Children still playing on the beach.
Laughing.
Building sandcastles.
Finding moments of joy despite everything around them.
That contrast stayed with him.
Because while conflict and tragedy dominate headlines, Jake realised the real story is often about the people still trying to live through it.
Afghanistan, Syria, and documenting humanity
From Indonesia, Jake’s path eventually led him into some of the world’s most dangerous and emotionally complex environments.
Afghanistan.
Syria.
Pakistan.
Refugee camps.
Conflict zones.
Humanitarian crises.
But as Jake explains throughout the episode, his work was never just about war.
It was about humanity.
Behind every image was a person.
A family.
A story.
A life interrupted by circumstances most people will never fully understand.
The conversation explores what it feels like to witness suffering up close, and the emotional impact of carrying those experiences long after leaving the field.
Because some stories do not stay where they happened.
They stay with you.
The weight of “moral injury”
One of the most powerful parts of the episode centres around Jake’s experience with what he describes as “moral injury.”
Not trauma from violence itself.
But from witnessing suffering you cannot always stop.
He reflects on the people he met in Afghanistan, particularly young girls whose futures were shaped by systems and circumstances beyond their control.
Stories of lost opportunity.
Forced marriage.
Survival.
Dreams interrupted before they had the chance to grow.
For Jake, these are the memories that remain long after the photographs are taken.
Not the explosions.
Not the danger.
But the people.
A different perspective on safety and life
After years spent living inside conflict zones, Jake explains that his understanding of safety, privilege, and everyday life has fundamentally changed.
Challenges are viewed differently when you have seen what survival looks like in other parts of the world.
The episode also explores his reflections on global conflict, migration, belonging, and the emotional complexity of returning home after years spent documenting war and displacement.
It is a conversation filled with honesty, perspective, and uncomfortable truths - but also moments of humour, humanity, and hope.
Building something meaningful
Today, Jake continues working in storytelling, branding, filmmaking, and photography while also focusing on completing a deeply personal photo book documenting his experiences across the world.
Even after everything he has witnessed, his belief in storytelling remains unchanged.
Because stories create understanding.
And understanding creates connection.
It changes how you see the world
If there is one thing this episode makes clear, it is this:
When you witness humanity at its most fragile, you stop seeing people as headlines.
You start seeing them as human beings.
And once that perspective shifts, it is hard to go back.
Key takeaway
“When you see the world at its most fragile, it changes how you understand humanity.”
About the Host - Imran Abul Kashem
Imran Abul Kashem is the founder of Westend Business Hub, Westend Photography, Westend Digital, Westend Podcast, and Wyndham Entrepreneur Connect. An award-winning photographer and serial entrepreneur, Imran brings ideas to life at the intersection of creativity and business. As an author, investor, business advocate, and cultural ambassador, he is passionate about building platforms that empower communities and spark meaningful conversations.
About the Guest - Jake Simkin
Jake Simkin is a Melbourne-based photojournalist, filmmaker, and humanist whose lens captures stories that matter.
For over two decades, Jake has dedicated his craft to documenting the human condition across some of the world’s most challenging environments, from the war-torn streets of Afghanistan and Syria to humanitarian crises in Somalia and South Sudan. His work is driven by a deep commitment to truth, empathy, and the power of visual storytelling to foster understanding across cultures.
As co-founder of Development Pictures, Jake partners with NGOs, UN agencies, and ethical brands to create impactful narratives that go beyond the surface, empowering communities and amplifying voices often unheard. His images and films have been featured in exhibitions and international publications, reflecting a rare ability to find humanity and resilience even in conflict zones.
Beyond the field, Jake is an adventurer at heart, weaving his love for motorcycle travel into his storytelling, whether traversing the deserts of Australia or the mountains of Central Asia, always seeking stories that remind us of our shared humanity.
Jake’s work is a testament to the belief that powerful storytelling can drive awareness, inspire action, and connect people across borders.
Explore Jake’s work at developmentpictures.com.
If this story shifted your perspective, share it with someone else.
These are the conversations that stay with you long after they end.
Special Thanks to Our Partners
This podcast is proudly supported by our incredible partner businesses, whose ongoing support helps bring these conversations to life:
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Keywords
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If this story shifted your perspective, pass it on.
These are the stories that stay with you - and sometimes, change how you see your own.
Special Thanks to Our Partners
This podcast is proudly supported by our incredible partner businesses, whose ongoing support helps bring these conversations to life:
Westend Business Hub
Westend Digital
Westend Photography
Westend Podcast
WeConnect
#MyMigrantSoul #Episode3 #MigrantStories #RefugeeStory #Stateless #Belonging #Identity #Resilience #NewBeginnings #LifeInAustralia #AustralianStories #CommunityVoices #DiversityAndInclusion #HumanStories #MigrationJourney #FromSurvivalToSuccess #Gratitude #Perspective #StartAgain #InspiringStories #RealStories #VoicesThatMatter #CulturalInclusion #CommunityImpact #Storytelling
Keywords
migrant journey Australia, stateless refugee story, identity and belonging, refugee camp experience, migration resilience, life in Australia, cultural adaptation, community development Australia, migrant perspective, building a new life, episode 3, Jake Simkin
