The British Journal of Photography

20/12/2024

Working with her hands, Hilal finds the tactile, physical process to be a necessary vehicle of connection to themes, ideas and subjects of exploration. “For me, there is something so intimate about using my hands to shape, manipulate, and transform raw materials,” she explains. “It’s in this hands-on approach, as it allows me to be fully immersed in the process, to feel the texture, weight, and rhythm of the work.”

The Lebanese artist, born and raised in Beirut, blends image-making into her experimental, multidisciplinary approach to achieve stylised 3D collages exploring memory and womanhood. There’s something about the fragility of memory that draws Hilal in, and she reflects this sense of impermanence in her work.

Despite “witnessing my country in turmoil”, she tells BJP, “she finds solace in daily visits to her studio: “Creating has become my way of holding onto a sense of normalcy – it’s not just work, but a form of therapy that helps me process and persevere.” Her latest show with female-led SWANA collective Hayaty Diaries marks her third collaboration with them, and she’s currently working on her debut show in 2025.

Find out more about Hilal’s work at the link below:

The Lebanese artist blends image-making into her multidisciplinary approach to achieve stylised 3D collages exploring memory and womanhood

19/12/2024

This powerful portrait, taken by Christian Sinibaldi, highlights the stories of those who have shaped the NHS since its inception in 1948. Over the decades, people from across the globe have come to Britain to work in healthcare, with one in six NHS workers today being of international origin, and countless others being the descendants of migrant healthcare professionals.

Their contributions have been essential in making the NHS what it is today, yet their sacrifices and challenges often remain overlooked.

The personal account shared here comes from Allyson, a nurse who arrived in London from Trinidad in 1969. It speaks to the resilience and determination of migrant healthcare workers in the face of discrimination and hardship, as well as the camaraderie and joy they found in building lives and communities in a new country.

This image is one of the 200 shortlisted images of this year’s Portrait of Britain photography award and is now featured in Portrait of Britain Vol. 7, published by Bluecoat Press and sponsored by JCDecaux UK.

Get your copy: https://1854.photo/4iAdYVX

Special offer: Purchase Vol. 7 and receive Portrait of Britain Vol. 6 or Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6 for half-price.

📸: Christian Sinibaldi

18/12/2024

AAs the first and only international art fair dedicated to contemporary African art, the 1-54 Fair has become a vital platform for artists like Moroccan photographer Sara Benabdallah, whose work such as the Dry Land series was on display and explores the complicated nature of womanhood in her homeland.

Born and raised in Marrakesh, Benabdallah studied in the US, and returned to Morocco to reconnect with her roots and engage with the women of her family, many of whom take the stage as the subjects of her work.

At the heart of the series is the labsa lakbira, a traditional bridal gown tied to memories of brides fainting under its weight. Passed down through generations in her family, the gown is both beautiful and heavy – physically weighing over 20 kilograms. For Benabdallah, the garment is a powerful symbol of the weight of societal expectations placed on women.

Benabdallah tells BJP about her recent showcase at 1-54 in London this October, where her series Al-Astrulabiya was also on show, which explores themes of astrology in Islam and the role of women in the faith; the series takes its name from a female Syrian astrologer of the Islamic Golden Age.

Read the full interview at the link below:

The photographer reflects on her recent participation in the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair with Rand Al-Hadethi

16/12/2024

“What a lot of people don't realise is that back then in the eighties, the idea of the black male nude was controversial – taboo even,” Dennis Carney tells BJP, a friend and model of Rotimi Fani-Kayode, who first met the artist at a Black gay club in Soho called Stallions in 1985 or 86.

The Studio — Staging Desire at Autograph Gallery explores the late Nigerian photographer Fani-Kayode’s practice centred around queer expression. Curated by Mark Sealy, the show explores Fani-Kayode’s work set against a backdrop of the queer scene of ‘80s London, right-wing politics, and riots.

His work has had a wide-reaching impact on artists globally today, influencing the work of Zanele Muhuli, Eric Gyamfi, and Ajamu. “I would argue that without Fani-Kayode, this sense of lineage of work in the field of queer dynamics isn't possible,” Sealy tells BJP.

Discover more images and read the full conversation with Mark Sealy and Fani-Kayode’s contemporaries at the link below.

The Studio — Staging Desire at Autograph Gallery explores the late Nigerian photographer’s practice centred around queer expression

14/12/2024

“Women used to compete in bronc riding,” explains Jennifer McCord, “and then in the 1920s a woman died and everyone claimed that women can't do this anymore.” You might know the work of British photographer Jennifer McCord’s by her portraits of Cate Blanchett, Carey Mulligan, Suki Waterhouse, or The 1975.

But privately she has been nurturing a passion project over the past year documenting the world of women bronc riders in the United States. Bronc Girls explores the unexpected way women are reclaiming bodily autonomy in the US: “They are serious athletes, and they are tough, but they’re also girls who enjoy getting dressed up and having fun and being ‘girly’. I love that they can hold both of these things at the same time,” McCord tells BJP.

As women’s bodily autonomy is being debated in all forums, from podcasts right up to the highest courts in America, that these women are putting their bodies at risk, and particularly in the context of the conservative, male-doiminated arena of bronc riding, feels radical, writer Laura Havlin finds.

Discover the series at the link below.

Bronc Girls explores the unexpected way women are reclaiming bodily autonomy in the US

13/12/2024

American artist Ron Norsworthy’s latest exhibition, I, Narcissus, asks “Why is it bad to fall in love with yourself? Why is it bad to find beauty within yourself?” At Edwynn Houk Gallery in New York, the show features his collaged relief work, created by collecting photographic fragments and re-photographing existing media (freeze-framing a film; scanning photos from an album).

Norsworthy re-contextualises these components into a digital collage, placing each upon wooden substrates so the work becomes dimensional. Given his background as a production designer, “there’s very much a mise-en-scène feeling, or the idea that you’re looking at a set,” Norsworthy tells BJP.

As a “little Black, gay kid”, Norsworthy would take inspiration growing up from shows such as Dynasty and Soul Train growing up, leaning on pop culture to colour his world which he believed was boring in comparison to the glamorous worlds on-screen.

I, Narcissus is at Houk Gallery until 21 December. Read Norsworthy’s conversation with BJP at the link below.

The American artist tells Sarah Moroz about his latest show I, Narcissus, an exploration of self-love, at Houk Gallery

12/12/2024

📚Portrait of Britain Vol. 7 📚

This latest collection offers an intimate glimpse into Britain’s heritage and modern identity. Through this year’s 200 shortlisted portraits, Portrait of Britain Vol. 7, captures the essence of a country shaped by its past and defined by its present. From the enduring legacy of industries like fishing and mining to movements for LGBTQIA+ and racial justice, these images document the resilience and diversity of British communities.

Published by Bluecoat Press and sponsored by JCDecaux UK, this volume reflects the pressing social issues of our time – healthcare, economic challenges, and the ongoing fight for equality.

Special offer: Purchase Vol. 7 and receive Portrait of Britain Vol. 6 or Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6 for half-price.

Order your copy now: https://1854.photo/4faEdPH

11/12/2024

In her series, A pigeon sang backwards, and it smelled like home, London and Cairo-based photographer Mariam El Gendy delves into the heart of Hagaiza, Egypt. Through her lens, she traces a deeply personal narrative of family, memory, and belonging – capturing the quiet rhythms of a village that holds her ancestral roots.

Once an abstract place for El Gendy, Hagaiza came alive for the young photographer as she walked its streets, uncovering stories embedded in its textures: the bend of a road, the scent of jasmine, the warmth of a neighbour’s gaze. Anchored by her father’s stories and presence, her work reflects the strength of those who nurture and preserve a sense of home across generations.

Presented at ’s NYC store, the series is a celebration of lineage, resilience, and the imperfect beauty of family. Now, El Gendy looks ahead, crafting a photobook that extends this narrative, blending images with immersive storytelling.

Hear more from El Gendy at the link below.

The London and Cairo-based photographer tells BJP about the complexities and joys of reconnecting with her paternal hometown

10/12/2024

In the Lagos of the 1970s, a city on the cusp of transformation, the portrait studio was a space for expression, identity, and aspiration. The Spirit of Lagos, now on view at Autograph Gallery, celebrates the extraordinary archive of Abi Morocco Photos, the studio where John and Funmilayo Abe chronicled a generation’s dreams.

Through meticulously staged portraits framed by patterned curtains and checkered floors, Abi Morocco’s images reflect the optimism of a post-independence Nigeria flourishing in its oil boom era. Young Lagosians posed proudly with newly acquired scooters, radios, and sunglasses, their vibrant self-presentation a testament to the city’s burgeoning cosmopolitanism.

Funmilayo Abe, one of the rare female photographers of the time, ran the studio with determination while John captured the rituals of life – weddings, naming ceremonies, and freedom parties. Their portraits convey an intimate warmth, a shared humanity that transcends time and place.

Find out more about the exhibition and the story of Abi Morocco at the link below.

The Spirit of Lagos showcases the vibrant portraits captured by Abi Morocco Photos, highlighting a cultural transformation during Nigeria’s post-oil boom era, Emma Russell finds

10/12/2024

LAST CHANCE!

Female in Focus x Nikon closes today.

The judging panel will select 20 winning single images and two series to be showcased in a group exhibition at 10.14 Gallery in London and Glasgow’s Gallery of Photography, plus the two series winners will also receive a Z Series mirrorless camera and two NIKKOR Z lenses, designed for Nikon's Z Series, providing exceptional optical performance and versatility, making them ideal for both photography and videography.

You can submit one image for free, courtesy of Nikon. If you wish to enter additional works, consider becoming a Digital or Full Access Member, allowing you to submit up to 10 single images or one series.

Enter now: https://1854.photo/49nBqkO

Deadline: 10 December 2024, 23:59 UK time.

© P. Wamaitha Ng'ang'a, Female in Focus 2021 single image winner

09/12/2024

Pictures for Purpose was founded by creative consultant and curator Isabella van Marle alongside creative director Kunna Haan, digital marketer Tijn Benedek and graphic designer Raisa Kingma. Van Marle curates “a variety of photographs that cross different aesthetics and themes” intended to speak to photography aficionados and amateurs alike; “I believe it's important to feature both established artists and emerging talent,” she emphasises.

The charitable print sale’s co-founder, Isabella van Marle, reveals to Sarah Moroz the stories behind some of the images featured this year. For example, a handful of artists featured have deep ties to the region, including American-born Palestinian photographer Dean Majd, Lebanese photographer Mohamad Abdouni, and Lebanese photographer Nader Bahsoun, with his project Southern Birds.

For its fifth edition, the money raised will be donated to two charities: Taawon's Noor, which provides support for children orphaned in Gaza, and Beit el Baraka, which ensures students’ access to education in Lebanon throughout this turbulent period. Proceeds from the print sale will be divided between both organisations.

The sale ends tomorrow, 10 December. Find out more about the participating photographers at the link below.

The charitable print sale’s co-founder, Isabella van Merle, reveals to Sarah Moroz the stories behind some of the images featured this year

09/12/2024

CLOSING TOMORROW! ⁠
⁠
This is your last day to enter Female in Focus x Nikon. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your work and gain recognition. You can submit one image for free, courtesy of and if you'd like to enter more, become a Digital or Full Access Member, which allows you to submit up to 10 single images or one series. ⁠
⁠
Enter now: https://1854.photo/3BgKF9W
⁠
Deadline: 10 December 2024, 23:59 UK time.⁠
⁠
📷️: Lebo Thoka, Female in Focus 2021 single image winner.

05/12/2024

When Marrim Akashi Sani started capturing life in her hometown of West Warren, Michigan, she was creating a time capsule. Raised in an Iraqi-American community, she now documents the rich textures of a place caught between tradition and transformation.

Sani’s series Muharram – named after the sacred month in the Islamic calendar – honours her family and faith through intimate, flash-drenched still lifes. From a grandmother’s tear during a storytelling moment to jewellery boxes filled with handmade pieces, every detail resonates with her identity. “It’s just my daily life,” she says of her sacred yet personal series.

She shoots with urgency, knowing that even this familiar place is quickly changing. On display at the V&A as part of the Jameel Prize 2024 exhibition, Sani’s work captures her hometown of West Warren, Michigan, in which porches hum with hookah smoke and Arabic signs glow on the streets.

The Jameel Prize 2024 is on display until 16 March 2025. Find out more about Sani’s series at the link below.

The Iraqi-Iranian artist tells BJP about the story behind her recent project ahead of the 7th edition of the annual Jameel Prize

05/12/2024

Final week to submit your work for Female in Focus x Nikon!

“This award is more than just recognition—it’s a platform to amplify their voice and vision. It can open doors to new opportunities, foster connections with other creatives, and give emerging talent the confidence to push their boundaries,” says Marie Gomis-Trezise, Founder & Curator at Nataal, Galerie Gomis and Female in Focus x Nikon judge.

20 single images and two series will be selected as winners and featured in a group exhibition at 10.14 Gallery (London) and Glasgow’s Gallery of Photography. Thanks to Nikon, the two series winners will also receive a Z Series mirrorless camera and two NIKKOR Z lenses.

Thanks to our partnership with Nikon, photographers can enter one portrait for free. To increase your chances, become a Full Access Member and submit up to 10 single images or one series.

Enter now: https://1854.photo/4fTUidM

Deadline for entries: 10 December 2024, 23:59 UK time.

📸: Natalia Garcia, Female in Focus 2021 single image winner

03/12/2024

Back in the beautiful Grand Palais, Paris Photo 2024 felt more fun than in years, with special installations such as August Sander’s entire People of the 20th Century adding to the sense of occasion. But the fair was also a place to see emerging talent, and beyond Paris Photo, the proliferation of pop-ups lent the whole city a photo-festival vibe.

Regular photobook fairs Offprint and Polycopies and annual Left Bank festival PhotoSaintGermain were joined by a huge group show put together by 23 photography organisations in France, including Paris Photo itself. Reseau LUX #1 took place in an abandoned post office in Pigalle, whose cavernous, rough space offered a quirky riposte to Paris Photo’s sheer swag.

PhotoSaintGermain festival included No Woman’s Land, meanwhile, a collaboration between photojournalist Kiana Hayeri and researcher Melissa Cornet made over six months in Afghanistan and part of a growing documentary presence in the French capital during Paris Photo, which included the Night of Photojournalism.

Find out more about Paris Photo and beyond via the link below.

Back in the Grand Palais, Paris Photo 2024 was a spectacular return to form in and around the main fair

03/12/2024

This year’s Portrait issue is finally here! Amongst the pages, we take a look at an exhibition devoted to children’s photography at Chennai Photo Biennale; Bettina von Zwahl unpicks the archives; and we learn about a new generation of Cambodian image-makers in Photo Phnom Penh. Plus Spotlight on the Portrait(s) festival and Any Answers with Open Eye Gallery’s Max Gorbatskyi.

We join Tamara Abdul Hadi as she reshoots a project in Iraq; we repicture Colombia and the War on Drugs with Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo; and we map reality with Sofiia Vinnichenko.

And we think about portraiture with Daniel Mebarek’s Foto Gratis free studio, Amak Mahmoodian’s ongoing photographic disruptions, Jet Swan’s perfectly imperfect world, Akram Zataari’s rescue of the Studio Shehrazade, and Metro Auto Photo’s work with an eccentric archive of photobooth self-portraits. Plus so much more!

Become a Member today to secure this issue as part of your package. Use code BJP20 at checkout to redeem your 20% discount. Don’t miss out—join us today: https://1854.photo/3CV9DMy

Offer valid until 05 Dec 2024.

This issue will reach our Print Subscribers and Full Access Members soon.

© Daniel Mebarek