Beyond Being

Beyond Being is a project inspired by Samsara, the concept known as the “circle of life,” holding profound significance in Indian philosophy and spirituality. It encapsulates the notion of cyclical existence, where our life, death, and rebirth interconnect in an endlessly repeating pattern.
The project drew inspiration from Nina’s visit to Varanasi, renowned for its sacred tradition of cremating bodies along the banks of the Ganges River, serving as a tangible embodiment of Samsara. Cremation symbolises the transition from one life to the next, illustrating the eternal dance of existence, where life’s beginning, end, and rebirth form an inseparable continuum.
Beyond Being offers a perspective on the human condition. By studying ordinary life events full of joy, pain, and spirituality, it acknowledges the inevitability of change.
Nina is a Sydney-based photographer from Slovakia with a portfolio that ranges from fashion to photojournalism. Her exploration of life’s nuances encourages finding oddities within the everyday. Choosing human interactions as her main point of interest, Nina contemplates life’s existential themes, prompting viewers to pause and rediscover beauty and sentiment in fleeting moments.
With an $80,000 prize pool, it represents a global selection of the best work from emerging and established photographers.
The Head On Photo Festival 2025 is back this November, transforming Sydney into a photography haven with major exhibitions