Waltham Forest Council Elections 08/05/26
The polls had closed the night before, but the counting process began early the next morning. I arrived on my bike and headed into the assembly hall. In my mind, this would all be done and dusted by 1pm, and I was hopeful of making it to a photo meet review in Hackney by 4:30.
This should have been quick and easy. Labour had controlled Waltham Forest since 2014, and I had worked with many of the councillors over the years, photographing them at events and openings across the borough. They were always out canvassing and chatting with residents.
As the morning progressed and I spoke with the other local press photographers, I realised this could become a much bigger story. We were allowed cameras in the gallery, but not on the counting floor where all the real action was happening. As I wandered around the hall, I could see votes being piled into boxes for the different political parties. There were 22 wards and 60 council seats. Just by looking, I could see the Green Party boxes filling up across many of the wards.
As the candidates began arriving, I started asking if I could photograph them outside the Town Hall and record a few short video clips. As the day went on, I met the Green Party publicity representative, who helped gather groups of Green Party candidates for photographs and filming. I was filing images up to the Getty database throughout the afternoon, and by late afternoon the balance had tipped — the Green Party had won enough seats to control the council.
This image was taken just after the three candidates had won their ward.
By 7pm, the new councillors were celebrating outside the Town Hall, posing for pictures for myself and the BBC, while news came in from several other councils suggesting there had been a Green wave across London.
I filed the last group shots and slowly walked away from the Town Hall through the streets of Walthamstow, wondering how things might change — only realising the following morning that I had forgotten to pick up my bike.
Daisy Cooper in her St Albans constituency 12/03/26
Out of my studio and into a packed morning with Daisy Cooper and her team visiting a business, primary school and neighbourhood scheme. Arriving in St Albans with enough time to have a cup of tea and some porridge at the local Pret a Manger, before heading to Daisy’s office which is based on the main shopping street.
Our first visit is to a local business that sells pre loved goods, training young people up cycle the pieces and selling them in a large shop just off the main high street. Daisy is asked to do an call out video to advertise the business and the new eBay auctions of the furniture.
We then moved on to a local primary school, where a very caring head mistress showed us round some of the activities and spaces they are using to help the pupils cope with anxiety and better mental health. The school had a dedicated room where pupils could go if they were feeling overwhelmed, a special outdoor building for circle time where children get to discuss problems and feelings.
For the final visit of the morning we went to a neighbourhood community scheme and met a large group of volunteers who have created a App where people can ask for help with shopping or health appointments. The volunteers pick up the requests from the App and help members of the community. The group had been nominated for the Kings award and Daisy gave a speech thanking the members for their contributions, taking time afterwards to speak with each table of volunteers.
Once we were back in the town, I left Daisy and her team prepping for an evening speech and dinner and then an evening event of Women in finance in the city of London
Sisters Seen 19/12/25
Sisters Seen is a self-initiated, collaborative portrait project created by members of AOP’s F22 group. What makes the F22 community special is its spirit of solidarity: a unique network of women photographers who choose to champion one another rather than compete. Instead of rivals, we are collaborators, supporters, and advocates for each other’s success.
The concept for the project began with the super talented portrait and documentary photographer Anne-Marie Michel. We live only a few streets apart in Walthamstow and often meet to share ideas, talk through projects, it seemed very natural for us to be the first pairing to try out the idea of being a model and a photographer
It was December freezing cold, daylight disappearing almost as soon as it arrived. We decided my studio would be our location. Anne-Marie photographed me first. She envisioned a simple, graphic backdrop and clean flash lighting. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel the usual anxiety of being in front of the camera. Instead, I found myself genuinely enjoying the experience—watching her work, noticing her process. As I relaxed, something shifted. We reached a level of understanding, collaboration, and trust that’s rare among peers.
Once she was finished we swapped roles. With LED lights set up and the last traces of daylight fading, Anne-Marie sat on an old Ikea stool, dressed in her signature black. I photographed her keeping the environment very simple.
Afterwards, we reviewed the images together—discussing, comparing, and noticing which ones resonated with both of us. It felt like a true dialogue, expressed through photographs instead of words.
At its core, the Sisters Seen portrait project is a simple but powerful idea: women photographers photographing each other. It’s not just a series of portraits—it’s a creative exchange, a peer-to-peer reflection, and a collective act of visibility. An invitation to be seen, and to see each other, with honesty and generosity.
Lorraine Butler For the Irish Times 23/04/26
Lorraine is the CEO of CPM International, her interview with Mark Paul discussing the difference between business in England and Ireland.
My brief was to photograph Lorraine in a recognisable London setting, we chose Westminster bridge as both sides of the Thames have recognisable land marks Big Ben and the London Eye.
After googling the best spots to take a photograph and a recce, I felt ready for our 10.30am shoot. Lorraine arrived in a red pant suite, perfect to stand out amongst the crowds of tourists at the bottom of Big Ben. We made our way through to a quieter spot and began to photograph in under an hour we had covered both sides of the bridge and several other locations. Lorraine then dashed off to a company meeting in Central London and I made my way back to the studio to edit.
RPS 40% project 9/01/26
Yvette was appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on 5 September 2025. She was previously Home Secretary from July 2024 and is the first woman in British political history to have served in both roles.
Yvette served as Shadow Home Secretary from 2021 and chaired the Home Affairs Select Committee in Parliament between 2016 and 2021. She served in the last Labour Government between 1999 and 2010, including as Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Pontefract and Castleford in 1997.
As you can imagine, arranging this portrait took some time, given Yvette’s schedule. It’s mid-January, there’s snow in the forecast, and I’ve spent the past couple of days liaising with her team to discuss possible locations. I catch an early morning train to Wakefield; it’s cold but still no snow, and I get the feeling the day might fall into place.
Yvette has chosen The Tigers Rugby League Football Club as the location, a site firmly rooted in her constituency. The stadium is in the middle of a refurbishment, with new seating and facilities being installed. Even so, it has real charm—a grounded, down-to-earth character. Ali, from Yvette’s team, kindly collects me from the station and drives me to the stadium so we can take a look around before she arrives.
The sky is grey and the air sharp, but the light is even, which helps. After walking the grounds, I focus on the new seating area on the far side of the stadium. When Yvette arrives, she’s wearing a Tigers scarf with black and amber patterns. It fits perfectly with the surrounding rows of black and orange seats, the orange ones spelling out “Tigers.”
We talk about the stadium and her memories of bringing her family to matches over the past thirty years—where they preferred to sit, and how they would watch the game while keeping an eye on their young children. We spend twenty minutes or so taking the portrait and looking out over the pitch. Yvette’s enthusiasm for the club makes me think more deeply about the venue’s history and the strength of its ties to the local community.
After the session, a member of her team gives me a lift back to the old mill where the constituency office is based. It’s still a working mill, home to several other businesses. Before heading back I have lunch in the tearoom at the mill, enjoying a small glimpse into the everyday life of some of the constituents Yvette represents.
Aidan Turner for the Irish Times 07/04/26
A bit of a tricky shoot to arrange as Aidan’s schedule was full rehearsing for Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre.
With all the equipment packed in a cab, I head for Putney Bridge to a studio, thats usually used for Yoga on a Tuesday lunchtime. I have three different setups and possibly a hour of Aidan’s time depending on how long the interview took. This is the only photoshoot my mother has ever asked to come along to, it turns out she was a big fan of Poldark a previous television series Aidan had starred in. Unfortunately I had to say no.
Aidan arrived and we got through all three setups easily, before his next scheduled interview. A couple of days later with the shoot all submitted to the Irish Times, I decided to look up the play and see if there were any last minute tickets available, by chance there were and I went along to a Matinee performance on Saturday afternoon. It felt strange going to the theatre alone, but I fully recommend it and in the interval had a great chat with the people next to me who turned out to be regular theatre goers and were amazed that I had managed to get a last minute ticket.
Natalie Fleet 01/02/26
Natalie Fleet is the Labour MP for Bolsover. Since being elected in 2024 Natalie has campaigned to change the Victims and Courts bill, the changes are to restrict convicted abusers of having any parental rights. This amendment was voted through in November 2025. Natalie continues to campaign for women affected by grooming and rape. This portrait was taken in Natalie’s Westminster office.