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.