From here to Africa – 2020 hEAD oN photo festival

I’m delighted to invite you to a Q & A webinar as part of the 2020 hEAD oN photo festival. I am excited to have one my collections featured at the festival and really looking forward to sharing it with you!

I was very lucky to win the Grand prize at the 2018 Sony Alpha Awards which included a trip to Tanzania. From Here to Africa is a collection of captivating portraits of the Maasai people. I found myself deeply inspired when meeting the Maasai tribe and realised the opportunity to document their unique culture, which is being eroded by Western influence and modern technology.

On a personal level, this reminds me of the true value of photography: preserving memories in order to capture special stories and pass them on to others.

The collection of these carefully composed portraits is presented in a classic, film-noir, monochrome, timeless style; lending a unifying appearance that emulates analogue techniques. I want viewers to focus on the humanity aspect of each portrait: expression, body language, shape and form. I eliminated distracting colours to ensure that you focus on the people within the photos and make emotional connections.

I aim to portray the Maasai culture in an authentic and honest way, using a clear narrative style which shows their individual personalities. My goal is to provoke your imagination regarding the traditions of the Maasai people and the stories behind their portraits. In sharing this portfolio, I encourage viewers to show tolerance: to accept all people, and to recognise the value of cultural diversity.