PHOTOGRAPHY FOUNDATION AWARDS 2024

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve been selected as one of the judges for this year’s Photography Foundation Awards 2024, proudly sponsored by Leica. It’s an absolute honour to be part of this prestigious panel, and I’m looking forward to seeing all the incredible submissions from photographers around the world.

The Photography Foundation Awards celebrates the best in contemporary photography, providing a platform for both emerging and established talent. As a judge, I’m excited to dive into the diverse range of work submitted and witness the creativity, technical skill, and storytelling that photographers bring to their craft.

Being a part of the judging panel is an opportunity to not only discover new talent but also to reflect on the power of photography as a medium. It’s always inspiring to see how photographers use their lens to capture and communicate unique perspectives, emotions, and stories.

If you’re a photographer, I encourage you to check out the awards and consider submitting your work. The competition is always amazing, and the recognition from such a renowned foundation can open doors to new opportunities. You can learn more about the awards and view the list of judges here: Photography Foundation Awards Judges


COMMISSIONED: TV Series / Pulling Threads

Last week, I had the opportunity to work on a reality TV show for the NFTS (National Film and Television School) titled Pulling Threads— a queer dating craft show. The show was filmed over three days in Buckinghamshire, and it was a completely new experience for me as it was my first time working on a reality TV production.

Working on a reality show was very different from my usual work on scripted TV. The pace, energy, and unpredictability of reality TV meant I had to be quick on my feet and ready to capture authentic moments as they unfolded. There’s no script or planned shots—everything happens in real-time, and as a photographer, my job was to remain observant and flexible, ensuring I could capture the essence of the show while still delivering engaging and high-quality images for promotional marketing.

The unique format of Pulling Threads offered a fresh perspective, and the combination of creative craft and queer dating made for some visually dynamic moments. The colourful set, the vibrant personalities of the contestants, and the fun, hands-on nature of the show all came together to create some engaging behind-the-scenes shots and stills. I’m really happy with how the images turned out—they capture the fun, the warmth, and the creativity of the show in a way that I think will resonate with its audience.

Check out some of my favourite shots from the week below. 


COMMISSIONED: Kozy Home Styling

Last month, I teamed up with Kozy Home Styling once again for a photoshoot aimed at creating promotional images for their website and social media channels. This marked the second time I’ve worked with this wonderful brand, and by now, we’ve built a great working relationship. Having already collaborated before, we were able to move seamlessly through the shoot, and I think that’s something that shines through in the final photos.

The owners of Kozy Home Styling are such a joy to work with—they always bring a relaxed, easygoing vibe to the set, and you can really see that in the images. They looked completely at home, both literally and figuratively, styled beautifully against the stunning backdrop of a house we shot in Highgate. The combination of their effortless charm and the elegant interiors of the home created a perfect atmosphere for the shoot.

The house itself was absolutely gorgeous, offering a perfect canvas for the kind of cozy, natural aesthetic that Kozy Home Styling is known for. It was a real treat to be able to make use of the home’s beautiful features—its light-filled rooms, warm tones, and tasteful design elements. This allowed us to craft an interesting, story-driven narrative for the viewer, evoking a sense of comfort and relaxed elegance that perfectly aligns with what Kozy Home Styling aspires to in their marketing.


COMMISSIONED: NOMI Candles

Last month, I had the pleasure of working with the exciting new homeware brand Nomi on a product photography project for their e-commerce website. Nomi, known for its beautifully crafted candles, approached me to help bring their products to life online, ensuring that their website showcases their elegant pieces in the best light possible.

For this shoot, we focused on simplicity and sophistication. To highlight the clean, minimalist design of the candles, I opted for a neutral grey background. This allowed the candles to stand out without distraction, making them the focal point of each shot. The simplicity of the backdrop provided a perfect canvas to show off the subtle details and textures of each candle, which I believe are key to Nomi’s brand identity.

In addition to the standard product shots, I wanted to create a little more visual interest and context. I gathered a selection of complementary items that relate to the candles—such as foilage, matches, and other homeware accents—which allowed me to create some more stylised shots. These images evoke a lifestyle vibe that aligns with the calm, cosy atmosphere that candles often inspire. It was a great way to tell a story and invite customers to envision the candles as part of their home decor.

I’m thrilled with how the photos turned out, and I’m excited to see how they’ll help Nomi grow their online presence. Product photography plays a huge role in e-commerce, and it’s always a rewarding experience to collaborate with brands like Nomi to bring their vision to life.


COMMISSIONED: Jazz Musician, Olly Muxworthy. Jul 2024.

Last week, I had the pleasure of welcoming jazz musician Olly Muxworthy into my studio for a headshot session. As an artist who brings a lot of energy and character to his music, Olly wanted his photos to reflect that vibrant and upbeat side of his personality. We set out to create images that captured both his passion for jazz and his fun-loving spirit.

The session was filled with laughter, creativity, and a lot of experimenting with different poses and lighting setups. The goal was to showcase not just his appearance but the essence of who he is as a musician. We played around with bold, dynamic lighting to create dramatic contrasts, while Olly moved through various poses that matched his lively and charismatic personality. Below, I’m excited to share a few of my favourite shots from the session. Each one offers a different glimpse into Olly’s character, capturing both his professionalism and his playful side.


PHOTO SERIES: Marrakesh, Morocco

A few months ago, I visited Marrakesh with a group of friends for a short trip, we stayed mostly 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, however,  I accidentally packed my 85mm lens instead. Initially, I was concerned about this oversight but I managed to capture the city in a different light. 



Photo Series: “We Move” - Evonnee

“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. 

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.


ELECTION DAY: 4th Jul 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.

Here are some shots I took on the day:

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

These photos showcase the essence of election day in our community, a testament to civic duty and the collective power of our voices.

Check out more photos from the series HERE. - 4th Jul 2024


KEY ART RELEASED: “TORN” A Period Drama Based on Queen Elizabeth I

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:


COMMISSIONED: Faber - Summer Party 2024 - Event

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. 

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

© Hayley Benoit 2024.

Using Format