Every now and then a project comes along that takes you back to why you picked up a camera in the first place. Outreach at 50 did exactly that for me.
Imperial College London have been running their outreach programme for half a century (which makes me feel both young and old at the same time…), and to mark the anniversary I was asked to create a series of environmental portraits of the people who make it all happen. Over the course of a year, I photographed fifty subjects — staff, students, alumni, and teachers — each one with their own story, their own space, and their own spark.
This is my favourite type of photography. No pyrotechnics, no elaborate set builds — just me, a subject, a bit of space, and that brilliant, unpredictable dance between photographer and sitter. That’s always been the joy of portraiture for me: working a person out, nudging them this way and that, and slowly finding the version of them that feels honest. Sometimes it’s in the laugh you weren’t expecting, sometimes in the moment they relax and forget the camera is even there.
It reminded me how much fun it is to play that game — all my time at The Independent on Sunday was full of these portraits, looking for ways to shape an image that feels like the subject. There’s something really satisfying about the challenge: can I, in a single frame, say something real about who this person is.
The portraits were eventually brought together in an exhibition at Imperial College on Exhibition Road. Walking into the space and seeing the images lining the walls was a proud moment — not just for me, but for everyone whose stories and faces filled the room.
A huge thank you to the team at Imperial who made this project such a joy to be part of. In particular, Ellie Cawthera, whose vision and energy pulled it all together so brilliantly, and also Melanie Bottrill and Corrine Hanlon for their support every step of the way. It really was a team effort — and I’m very proud to have played my part.
Leave a Reply