In May 2024, I visited Marrakesh with a group of friends, eager to explore and capture the vibrant essence of the city through street photography. Marrakesh, renowned for its stunning array of colours and intricate patterns, did not disappoint.
We spend most of our time in the medina. A labyrinthine network of narrow alleyways and bustling souks, the medina is a sensory overload in the best possible way. Every corner revealed a new tableau: merchants displaying their wares, artisans crafting intricate pieces, and the daily life of the locals unfolding in a harmonious dance of tradition and modernity.
I had planned to document this trip with my trusty 50mm lens, perfect for street photography with its versatile focal length. However, in a twist of fate, I accidentally packed my 85mm lens instead. Initially, I was concerned about this oversight—85mm is typically considered a portrait lens, not ideal for the tight, bustling streets of a city but I managed to capture the city in a different light.
“We Move” - A photo series that shares stories of people’s relationship between dance and mental health. See below for stories of my latest subject, Evonnee.
“If I’m going to speak candidly: dance has both helped and hindered my mental health at times. I do believe that as healing as dance can be, both statements can be true.
Dance was a form of escapism for me when I first started and it definitely still is now. I was taken to dance classes as I was quite a shy child when outside of my home environment, so dance really helped me open up. Secondly, I love music! And dance, in its purest form, is responding to music with your body, which was and still is so freeing! Dancing has improved my mindset: it can calm me, excite me, inspire me, push me, bring me closer to my true uninhibited self, and allow me to connect to others.
I think it’s the unseen additions that attach themselves to dance that, over time, can take a toll on your mental health: aesthetics, politics, constraints, self-sabotage, expectations, and criticism from yourself as well as others. And over time, you become more aware of when these things are trying to impact you and how you can guard yourself against them. Which, ironically, is the very thing that, in part, started it: dance.
In an industry that can give you so very much, it can equally take—so you have to make sure the foundation of your mental health stays strong. I guess tapping into why and where you started is a good way to ground yourself and recharge your mental health. And just put on some music and dance with the freedom you did back when you were a kid—I think that’s the best place to start.” - Evonnee, May 2024.
There’s something quite beautiful about election day, seeing locals from all walks of life leave their homes and head to the polling station to vote. I took the opportunity to document this day and capture the community at my local polling station in Islington North. It was refreshing to see how many people were keen to have their photo taken, the feeling of popping your voting card in the box, and truly believing that you are voting to make a difference.
Last week, the key art for “Torn” was officially released by Frogspawn Films, and I am thrilled to share this update with you! The artwork, designed by George Layne, beautifully captures the essence of our short film. I’m especially excited because the artwork prominently features my stills photography from the production, which I previously shared in a post you can find here.
“Torn” is a project that I enjoyed shooting, and seeing the final key art come to life is incredibly rewarding. The film delves into themes of identity, conflict, and resilience, and George’s design perfectly encapsulates these elements.
I am eagerly anticipating the film’s screening in Battersea next month. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.
To give you a taste of what’s to come, here is a preview of the short film:
Last week I was commissioned by Faber to shoot their annual Summer Party at Montague Street Gardens. Here are some of my favourite shots from the event.
Last week, I had the honour of being invited by The Photography Foundation to facilitate a workshop for their students on the subject of “Skills for Freelance Photography.” It was an incredible experience to share my knowledge and insights with aspiring photographers. The workshop was structured to cover a broad range of essential topics that every freelance photographer needs to master. Here’s a breakdown of the key discussion points:
How to Get Started We kicked off the workshop by exploring the first steps in launching a freelance photography career, from identifying your niche to setting initial goals.
Equipment A deep dive into the must-have gear for photographers, including cameras, lenses, and accessories, as well as budget-friendly options for those just starting out.
Your Brand We discussed the importance of developing a unique personal brand that reflects your style and values, and how to communicate this effectively to clients.
Portfolio Tips on curating a compelling portfolio that showcases your best work and appeals to your target market.
Lead Generation Strategies for finding and attracting potential clients through networking, social media, and online platforms.
Pitching How to craft persuasive pitches that win clients, including writing proposals and preparing presentations.
Alternative Ways to Share Your Work Exploring non-traditional platforms and creative methods to showcase your photography.
The Importance of Personal Work The role of personal projects in developing your style, keeping your creativity alive, and attracting clients.
Advertising Jobs How to find and apply for photography jobs through various advertising channels.
Treatments Creating visual proposals that help clients envision your ideas and secure projects.
Lighting Assistants Understanding the role of lighting assistants and how they can enhance your shoots.
Invoicing and Pricing Best practices for pricing your work, creating invoices, and managing your finances as a freelancer.
Contracts Essential components of a photography contract to protect your rights and ensure clear agreements with clients.
Q&A’s An interactive session where students could ask questions and get personalised advice on their concerns and challenges.
Mini Brief We concluded with a hands-on mini-brief, allowing students to apply what they learned in a practical exercise.
This was my first time facilitating a workshop, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Sharing my skills and expertise, having worked as a photographer for over 13 years, was incredibly rewarding. The workshop was very successful, and I received positive feedback from both the students and tutors.
I’m grateful to The Photography Foundation for this opportunity and look forward to more collaborations in the future. Seeing the students’ enthusiasm and eagerness to learn was inspiring, and I’m excited to see how they will apply these skills in their own freelance photography careers.
May is mental health awareness month and the theme this year is “Movement” so it seems like perfect timing to share a preview of my latest series “We Move” which coincidently is about movement. The project shares stories of people’s relationship between dance and mental health … my first subject of the series is project collaborator and choreographer - James.
“For me personally, I’ve reflected that dance serves as my means to reconnect with my body and detach from the incessant chatter of an overactive mind, intensified by technology and constant comparisons. Through dance, I find a sanctuary where genuine expression and authenticity can be discovered and embraced. This series, to me, embodies a journey of liberation from mental health struggles, a pathway to embracing full authenticity.” - James, Mar 2024 @jamesberkery
It’s been a while since I’ve shot live music, so when Henry Taylour asked me to shoot his gig last week I was more than excited to get shooting. Here are some of my favourite shots from the gig @camdenassembly
last month I was commissioned to shoot some BTS (behind-the-scenes) and stills for a short period drama titled ‘Torn’ by Frogspawn Film Productions. The short was set amidst the beautiful Tudor grounds in Chilworth, Surrey. The story was based on Queen Elizabeth I as a child and features an impressive cast, including Murray McArthur from ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Outlander,’ and ‘Wonka,’ among other talented actors from the Performance Preparation Academy.
Last month I was commissioned by the Young Vic Theatre to photograph the rehearsal of their theatre production ‘Earthworks,’ directed by Andrea Ling, the recipient of the 2023 Genesis Future Directors Award, and written by the award-winning Tom Morton-Smith (‘My Neighbour Totoro,’ ‘Oppenheimer’ at the RSC).
