Laura Page Photography

05/06/2024

We had a brilliant time on our Capture Sheffield Photography Course this weekend. ✨

Next photography weekend 27th and 28th July. ♥️📸💪🌞⭐ Book on soon to secure your place. https://fb.me/e/3Ajq3EHlI All welcome.

Here are some of the great pictures taken by the group

And some lovely feedback:

"Laid back, yet focussed, lovely vibe and people, great locations, I had an ace time!"

"I loved everything about this course. I would love to do more!"

"Great company and teacher. Loved it, very inspirational"

"Very engaging host. Learnt many useful tips I'll use in the future. Will definitely recommend to others".

Next photography weekend 27th and 28th July. . ♥️📸💪🌞⭐

14/01/2024

Finally started me little foray into and think I'm boss now. Well it's going to be a long journey and I'm excited about that. It's not that easy and so addictive. Was so lucky to have my first introduction from actual in Mexico city. Really interesting tour followed by some painting. Try it if you're there.

Then a brilliant workshop with - totally recommend and defo going back.

06/11/2023

THE MORNING AFTER THE DAY OF THE DEAD

So I was actually sober when I rejoined the celebrations 13 hours after they'd started. I may have missed some of my meetings with community leaders but those few hours dancing under the boiling sun taught me enough about joy, tenacity, acceptance, transcendentalism and death. Pure magic. With Robin Page

06/11/2023

THE NIGHT OF THE DAY OF THE DEAD

I was pretty ill for in so me and Dad Robin Page were in bed by midnight almost before the party started. We dressed up and saw some insane commitment to costume making and wearing first though.

04/11/2023

THE MOURNING OF THE DAY BEFORE

Before the Day of the Dead has officially even started and I'm already immersed in a newly imagined world built from memories never forgotten, playing out in old abandoned buildings and shared spaces. This is a transformation that brings people together.

gave a stupefying performance from .morelos in . What a woman.

11/10/2023

just sent me a lovely picture of two of the people I photographed for my project - her husband and who they bumped into in Bath.

Two beautiful faces and inspirational people.

Reminded me to post a few pictures of when Klaus and Jane gave a surprise appearance at my recently.

11/09/2023

Been putting up my today. Thanks to all the brilliant team there.
⛪
The exhibition seeks to challenge by sharing the fascinating stories of 31 ordinary but extraordinary inspirational older people living in the UK. 📷

All welcome to come to the private viewing / celebration event on Friday 15th September, 7-9pm. Link in bio. Other than that it's open 9am-6pm until 22nd September. Thanks! 😘Mwah mwah

13/08/2023

My photography exhibition will be held at Chester Cathedral from 11th - 21st September 2023. There will be a celebration event with some talks and drinks on Friday 15th September 7-9pm. All very welcome but please book on using the link. Hope to see some of you there.

Thank you Rebecca Vassie Trust and Metro Imaging for everything...support, encouragements, beautiful prints, knowledge and more.

Laura Page presents a series of more than 30 photographic portraits and stories of people from across the UK, reimagining ageing and defying stereotypes of what it is to be older. The project has won a Vassie Award and was covered by the BBC, and is now being exhibited across the UK.

All are welcome to this private viewing and celebration event of the Hidden Depths photography exhibition held at Chester Cathedral this September.…

03/08/2023

If you're in I recommend a little look in . I was in the city recently in a desperate scramble to get a passport for my son in time to go on holiday 🤦 and it made me feel a lot better about the unexpected trip. It's got a really good book shop too. And Glasgow is boss.

Anyway, this month I have a couple of images showing there as part of their so that's nice.

12/07/2023

I have a coming up in September

Hidden Depths
11th - 21st September 2023, 9.30am - 6pm
Chester Cathedral

Laura Page presents a series of photographic portraits and stories of people from across the UK, reimagining ageing and defying stereotypes of what it is to be older. The project has won a Vassie Award and was covered by the BBC, and is now being exhibited at Chester Cathedral following its first sorting Works.

More than 30 photographic portraits and stories will be shared in the gallery. A celebration event with a short talk from the artist will take place on Friday 15th September, 7pm - 9pm - all are very welcome to attend.

More details to come soon.

07/06/2023

A few weeks full of workshops working with young people at Becton for making beautiful ☀️sunprints and with people Darnall Wellbeing making mandalas, sun catchers and a tree 🌲 of life as part of and project exploring life and death and all that lies within it. There will be an exhibition of the Circle of Life work and free art workshops from tomorrow.

28/05/2023

18/05/2023

Day in Birmingham working on new project, Thread, with and ....thanks for having us and showing us the bingybleep machines.

04/05/2023

Got my in aged 46 and a half with ❤️ Onwards and upwards. 😆💪🙏

15/04/2023

31/03/2023

Stoked I've got a new studio with at I'm going to start working on some large scale pieces, projection mapping and different printing techniques with downstairs. It seems I'm also going to eat a lot of Pot Noodles. Thanks a million and Robin Page for all your help transforming it x

21/02/2023

Ready to say a tearful goodbye to with a full heart.

My last week has been spent in Cali filming, learning about grassroots community action and running photo workshops with Asociación Mejorando Vidas - Asomevid Leivis Alises Preciado Rengifo❤️which does so much to improve the lives of those in and Carlos Tobar and students from . Javeriana Cali

I’ve been fed to within an inch of my life,🤩 danced salsa and more salsa,❤️ learned a lot of Spanish and seen again how people living in difficult and dangerous conditions seem to have the most kind and generous souls.

and others have worked to reduce violence in the neighbourhood investing social capital by, amongst other things, turning dangerous areas into gardens, running workshops for young people, painting peace slogans, recycling, growing food and protecting their eco system. Violence fluctuates but with recent programmes murders have dropped by as much as 47 per cent in two years.

They’re currently working on transforming the lagoon adjacent to the barrio. It’s full of an amazing variety of birds, toads, marsupials, insects and life. It’s surrounded by beautiful plants. So peaceful. Despite the outrageously loud birdsong. But also full of rubbish and contaminated water. It’s a really complicated process to stop this as much of it comes from outside the barrio. People with nothing burn whatever they can find, releasing toxic smoke, so that they can sell on the remaining metal.

But the community have grown something solid. They’ve built bug hotels and a composting area, process the plants to make paper, put up information signs and are raising awareness. They photographed a lot of this during our workshops and there will be of their work showing soon.

Thank you so much for Colombia for all you have taught and given to me these last three weeks. I will never forget and am so very grateful. Despite hardship, you have so much and are so willing to share it.

Thank you also to The Churchill Fellowship for all the support for this to happen.

19/02/2023

Until recently was considered one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in Medellin which itself was known as the murder capital of the world. As tired as locals must be of being associated with this violent aspect of its complex personality, the trauma left in its wake is real. The inhabitants of Comuna 13 have experienced wave after wave of assaults involving paramilitaries, guerrilla groups, cartels, governments and more. But this community is changing its narrative. Through arts and other initiatives the area has begun to transform. Walls have been painted, beautiful tiled stairways have been built. Young people are channelling their words into hop hop and dancing in the streets. Tourists, no doubt with an air of voyeurism, come to see the colourful streets and learn something about the history.

Govt. initiatives have supported the community’s transformation by installing a cable car linking the barrio to the city centre cutting commute times by up to an hour. Outdoor escalators have added to the interest and access for this community which clings to a steep hillside.

is at a slightly different stage in its transformation - another community with a strong identity and deep roots. Many of its original inhabitants arrived as refugees. It was decided that area was to become a city rubbish dump but as the waste arrived “the resistance” stayed rooted where they were. They lived there amongst the rubbish eating some of the food waste and selling much of it for recycling. Years later it was deemed too unhealthy to live there and this time the remaining inhabitants were offered somewhere else to go. But somewhere far away. Many stayed and transformed much of the area turning it into a beautiful park, growing plants together, inviting outsiders and building their community. Recently new housing has popped up almost overnight overtaking the park. Official lines seem to be that the land was needed to house people or that it has been taken by refugees. Locals tell me this is not true, there are no foreign accents and the people moving in are not quite that poor. They say gangs have taken the land and built on the park garden they built over many years.

Thank you so much The Churchill Fellowship for all your support in doing this.

13/02/2023

In the Centro Historico pays homage to the conquistadores and their descendants with many a classic white statue. You know, the ones with no arms and nice hats and all that.

The street art of neighbouring reflects the people who live there now and their rich mixed heritage, music and culture. You officially need to apply for, and pay for, a permit to paint here, so it’s not a complete free for all. But it is art which can be done by people who live there and art which can be taken in by all who pass by.

The murals tell different stories of Getsemani and beyond. But the latest story there is one of .

Before it was dangerous and no one came. They painted the walls and people visited. Now it’s safe and expensive and everyone wants a piece. Many who used to live there can no longer afford to do so. If the people who are its fabric are all forced out what will it be?

There’s a difficult balance to strike when a place becomes popular.

Medellin’s Comuna 13 has tried to do this by improving life for the poor rather than shifting them out to replace them with the rich. Tomorrow I go to learn about that.

Thanks so much to Luis and Cristian for being interviewed and teaching me about the city and to .ve for the interview and showing me some of his amazing large scale murals across the city.

Thanks also to for funding me to do this research.

10/02/2023

Walls Watching Wheels

07/02/2023

Tired and extremely grateful after a full week.

Started with the launch of our SCRAPHEAP project with an exhibition of my photos at Sheffield Workstation. Thanks to everyone who made it happen. Met loads of inspirational power women there.

Next day said goodbye to my boys and left for Bogota where I was so warmly welcomed by the artists and community workers and

They showed me around, looked after me, forgave my not-so-good-yet Spanish and even cooked me lunch.

So many people warned me to be careful coming here, and of course I will be, as ever, but so far I’ve met only kindness in Colombia.
A few things I’ve been thinking about regarding grassroots community arts. Many kind of obvious but good to be reminded in a new way….

Organising and supporting each other as a family goes a long way

Food and music are some of the best ways to bring people together

Listening and adapting to the ever-changing needs and situations around us is vital

Passion and determination can carry us at least as far as money can

The more we come together and mix across ages, genders, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, THE LOT, the richer communities we have where we can all learn and support each other with our unique and different strengths

Disused or “ignored” spaces such as those in really “economically deprived” areas are prime estate for art. Especially exciting, subversive and unpretentious art that comes from the collective voice of the people and art that has social context and creates a conversation amongst a wide-range of people, not just a select few.

We need to keep mindfully fighting for PEACE.

Our public spaces are not for all. Or most???

I wondered why artists were allowed to use the city of Bogotá as its canvas. So tragic that this is what it has taken….Copied this from where you can read the full article….

Sometimes from the ashes of tragedy springs the most beautiful art, and Bogota is a shining example. In 2011, after police murdered 16 year-old Diego Felipe Becerra while he tagged his signature Felix the Cat, massive protests erupted throughout the city. This public uproar was partly responsible for the government relenting and ultimately downgrading graffiti from crime to violation to where it is now—condoned. Bogota’s graffiti is more than just beautiful—it reflects the city’s diverse yet tumultuous culture.

Next stop Cartagena....

Thank you so much The Churchill Fellowship for allowing me to learn so much here in Colombia.

27/01/2023

Spent the day setting up our depicting the experiences of of 12 women at for institute festival.

COME ALONG to the opening tomorrow, Saturday 28th Jan, 7pm-9pm. ALL WELCOME. The Workstation, Paternoster Row, Sheffield.

With Donna Mackenzie-Smyth Donna Mackenzie-Smyth and Lorna Warren and Alan Smyth and a lovely interview with the awesome Paulette Edwards We couldn't stop talking!! Thank you! ❤️

23/01/2023

And I can't not share some of these other equally good people. And there were more but Insta only let's you share a few doesn't it. So watcha gonna do🤷






Last weekend I finished a year-long project with photographing real life legends for and I'm so grateful I was given this opportunity to travel around meeting so many really sound and interesting people.

Miners-turned-skiiers, artists, bee keepers, astronomers, designers, stylists, musicians, healers, carers, adventurers, farmers, surfers, divers, sculptors etc etc ... Just people with a love of life and the bravery to go their own way.

Thanks to everyone involved. It's been brilliant and I'm kind of sad it's over. Keep on keeping on ❤️

21/01/2023

Last weekend I finished a year-long project with photographing real life legends for and I'm so grateful I was given this opportunity to travel around meeting so many really sound and interesting people.

Miners-turned-skiiers, artists, bee keepers, astronomers, designers, stylists, musicians, healers, carers, adventurers, farmers, surfers, divers, sculptors etc etc ... Just people with a love of life and the bravery to go their own way.

Thanks to everyone involved. It's been brilliant and I'm kind of sad it's over. Keep on keeping on ❤️

18/01/2023

Come to the SCRAPHEAP photography exhibition and launch....

I've been working with Donna Mackenzie-Smyth and some top women❤️ over the past few weeks to produce the first images on our series exploring people's personal thoughts and experiences of .

The images here are not the ones we've chosen to show at the exhibition. You'll have to come and see them in person! 😉

The SCRAPHEAP images will be exhibited at The Workstation, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S1 2BX as part of festival.

✌️Exhibition: 28th Jan - 4th Feb (no booking required)

🙏Launch: Sat 28th Jan, 7-9pm. Free. Book on Eventbrite.

About the exhibition

This photographic exhibition presents images of 12 women from the ongoing SCRAPHEAP project - a creative and participatory art project examining women's thoughts and feelings about their own personal menopause journeys. The images explore the taboo topic of menopause, at the same time as celebrating women’s bodies.

Part of The Art of Health Lifespans festival.

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23/11/2022

Donna Mackenzie-Smyth has been getting me involved in more of her escapades. Last time it was getting her wheelchair up into a massive tree (thanks Alex Blenk). This time it's asking the young manager in a shoe shop to let us use their leccy to inflate our "zumba ball", fighting off eager wannabe zumba-ballers, wrapping her in clingfilm and infiltrating secret groups. ❤️

Thanks for inviting me to take photographs for your project exploring some of the darker sides of . This is beginning to be talked about more now but there is still a lot to be said, heard and understood. The physical and mental toll that menopause takes on many women can have an impact on all of us as a society.

We're raising some funds for this project so if you can put in a little it would be a massive help. https://gofund.me/4d441ac7 There will be an exhibition at Event Central on Fargate early in the new year....https://gofund.me/4d441ac7

Thanks to the inspiring women who are part of the project for sharing their experiences with us and letting me photograph them. Thanks Georgina Robinson ❤️

Thanks so much for letting us borrow the bubble. They're the ones for all your parties and team building activities!!