In his own words, Simon Lister’s passion lies in “capturing the world’s untold stories.” Listening to him speak, you’re drawn into tales of life in unseen worlds—of children trekking through jungles, schools perched in mangroves, and classrooms in rubbish dumps. Simon’s stories are about children who are doing extraordinary things, and he is passionate to his core about bringing these narratives to light.

Championing education in a child’s life is a mission Simon (Hamilton 1981-1984) holds close to his heart. Based in Sydney, Australia, he co-founded Nylon Studios and now leads Squeak e Clean Studios, a powerhouse in creating soundtracks for advertising, documentaries, and films. Yet, despite this professional success, Simon gives time every year to ensure he captures photos and footage of resilience in some of the world’s most challenging environments. His work with UNICEF and the United Nations has amplified the voices of thousands of children, launching campaigns that show the strength of the human spirit.

Simon’s career journey began after high school when his attempts to secure a role as a cameraman led him to a job as a sound technician with Radio New Zealand, eventually guiding him toward advertising soundtracks and then into film. His father, a passionate motorcyclist, photographer, and music lover, inspired Simon’s interests. “My dad was all about motorbikes, photography, and music,” Simon reflects. “Now, that’s literally me.” About 15 years ago, just weeks after his father’s passing, Simon took a major journey to India, travelling by motorbike. “I was blown away by visiting another world that is so different,” he says. “I wanted to do this every year—so I did.”

Simon was inspired by world-famous photographer Steve McCurry, whose photographs capture conflicts and wars throughout the world. “I thought to myself, I’m going to take photos like Steve McCurry.”

His annual journeys led him deep into remote villages, where he captured portraits of children and families. During these trips, Simon’s work began as a personal project, but it soon caught the attention of UNICEF. Back in Sydney, one of Simon’s clients introduced him to the team leading UNICEF’s ‘Every Child’ campaign. “They told me, ‘We want you to be the photographer and filmmaker,’” he recalls. “That’s how it started.”

Since then, Simon has worked across Vietnam, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Lebanon, Thailand, the Sahara Desert, and more—documenting children’s lives and families in harsh environments. More than 1,000 of his photos have been used to tell these children’s stories.

UNICEF, a global agency supporting children’s rights, health, and education, provided a platform for Simon’s work to reach a worldwide audience. Each photograph adds a new layer of depth, with every image capturing a unique story. Working with a modest budget, he documented moments that have been used globally to raise awareness of issues affecting children in underserved areas.

In some of the remarkable locations Simon has visited, he has witnessed children in Kolkata attending a tiny school inside a 30x30-foot concrete room amidst a vast rubbish tip. “All the children wear uniforms, eager to learn,” Simon describes. “You start to cry because it’s beautiful.” He has also documented children wading neck-deep in water to collect plastic waste and young ‘Ocean Warriors’ cleaning their shores. “These kids arrive at school at 7 am and leave at 10 pm,” he shares. “They love it. It’s their life, their dream. In West Papua, there’s a marine school where students learn marine conservation. It gives them jobs, elevates their communities.”

Simon’s journeys require months of planning, and he relies heavily on local guides who help him reach remote areas. “I depend on my guides,” he explains. “They’re locals who know where to go and where not to go, who speak the language and can translate culture. They bring me to their hometowns, into slums or hidden monasteries.” His guide in the Himalayas not only led him to the monastery but also helped organise a charity event that raised $10,000 for school improvements. “Money like that means new buildings to learn, and that changes lives.”

Simon’s work also led to collaborations on the Tales by Light series (available on Netflix). He orchestrated a soundtrack with Australian musician Lisa Gerrard (known for her work with Hans Zimmer) and worked with celebrities such as Liam Neeson and Orlando Bloom. “We wanted every part of it to move people,” Simon says. His partnership with Bloom to highlight child labour took them to Bangladesh, where Simon witnessed firsthand the lives of children working long hours to support their families.

Simon’s next project is his own series that will showcase the incredible lengths children go to in order to learn. One segment will follow young nuns in a Himalayan monastery who study in extreme winter conditions, facing temperatures as low as -40°C. “They started their education in a cave,” Simon says, “and now they’re building schools to further their studies. It’s the most beautiful story of girl power—these young women are strengthening their minds every day.” His admiration for their resilience is clear. “They’re remote, self-sufficient, and powerful.” Simon sees this series as a way to spotlight the power of education, especially for children facing extreme adversity. “If every family in the world could watch these stories, they’d see how powerful education is,” he says.

Simon’s photographs amplify the voices of communities often unheard. His work has taken him to significant events like producing the opening film for the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.

After decades of work and travel, Simon remains profoundly moved by the stories he encounters. “I’m not a tourist,” he says. “I’m going to places others don’t. I see things that touch my heart, and I bring those stories back to the world.” His journey is one to remind the world of the importance of every child, every voice, and every untold story.

View the Tales of Light episode, ‘Children in Need’ here.
View Simon Lister photography here.