Portraits to support a time of transition.
I’m a firm believer in the tangible nature of photography and in the idea that the majority of photographers want their images to be printed or displayed for people to see, whether that’s in a magazine, on a poster, or in a gallery.
The need and desire for online and social-media gratification, coupled with the rise of AI, puts us in an uncertain time. What will happen to the ‘hard copy’? In the future, what physical records will people have of the past?
The last time I had the opportunity to show my work in this way was over ten years ago. My portrait exhibition, Home From Home, was a personal and collaborative project celebrating the cultural diversity of London — something I believe we all need to embrace, particularly in today’s climate.
Shot entirely on analogue 35mm film, it was a curated series of portraits of people born in different countries, photographed at locations across London that most reminded them of home. Seeing the capital through the eyes and experiences of others gave me a fresh perspective on what I still believe is the best city in the world.
Being a photographer is one thing; having your work physically displayed for others to experience is something else entirely. There is no better feeling than watching friends, family and complete strangers engage, interact and respond to your artwork.
So, being given the opportunity to support North London Hospice through photography during their relocation immediately filled me with a sense of excitement. I was given a clear brief: the subjects needed to convey happiness and a positive demeanour, and I had a very tight two-hour window in which to photograph more than 20 staff and volunteers. The images were to be displayed in North London Hospice’s temporary home.
Working with people who aren’t used to having their photograph taken can be a challenge at times. I’ve said in the past that it takes a delicate touch to put patients and staff at ease when they may not be feeling themselves, or may simply be reluctant to be photographed.
I know which side of the camera I prefer to be on, so I can fully appreciate the apprehension that comes with being asked to pose, smile, lift your chin, turn slightly to the side… I think you get the idea.
The project for North London Hospice comes at a significant time of transition. Its In-Patient Unit (IPU) in Whetstone has been temporarily relocated to Jade Ward at Edgware Hospital while refurbishment work takes place.
Against this backdrop of change the photographs are intended to bring some familiarity and positivity to the hospice’s temporary surroundings — putting the people at the heart of the organisation front and centre. These photographs are being used to bring warmth, familiarity, and a sense of community to the temporary space, helping to create a welcoming environment for patients, visitors, staff, and volunteers alike.
Portraits that support a time of transition is a title that evolved the more I wrote this blog post. Initially, it was simply a reference to the North London Hospice project and the relocation of its In-Patient Unit. But as I reflected on the photographs, and particularly on their use as printed images within the hospice’s temporary space, it brought back many fond memories of my own exhibition, Home from Home.
The connection felt too significant to overlook, and I found myself compelled to revisit my personal project — not only because of the shared importance of printed photography, but because both projects, in very different ways, are about people, place and a sense of belonging during times of change.
