About Me.

As author or facilitator of photographic projects it is my responsibility to meet the ethical requirements laid out in my statement. It is also my responsibility to ensure the safety, agency and equity of participants wherever possible.

Accountability means not only planning for potential risks to these responsibilities but also following up on future outcomes resulting from the making and publication of work.

Recognising and acknowledging my part in mistakes and negative outcomes with the aim to improve my practice going forward.

As a socially engaged photographer my practice revolves around engaging individuals and groups in photographic projects.

A process which is dependent on the involvement of others.

My aim is to recognise the contributions of participants and involve them in each step of the creative process, from conceptualisation to production and publication.

This also means recognising and facilitating contributions is part of redressing the power dynamics between artist and subject, challenging the concept of the ‘auteur’ photographer

As photographic mediums proliferate quickly and easily through a myriad of channels, it is my responsibility that participants and collaborators are well informed on the potential use of project work.

It is only through being well informed that they can consent to inclusion in a project and its future publication.

This ongoing consent will be affirmed at each stage of project development and into the future, recognising how circumstances change as opportunities develop and evolve.

It is important to recognise the diversity of the ‘groups’ I work with and that individuals may identify in many ways.

My aim is to respect each participant as an individual and recognise their own uniqueness within the work.

It is also important that I work to support the platforming of voices that are often suppressed.

As an outsider to many of the cultural groups I work with it is my responsibility to educate myself on their history, context and representation.

Not only to understand their current challenges and goals but also to anticipate potential risks to my ethical guidelines and responsibilities.

It is also my responsibility to anticipate and research the individual participants and groups for potential ethical, project and participant risks.

By being informed I also prepare myself for recognising my own biases and potential for stereotypical representation.

Working with diverse cultural groups means recognising that within those groups there is still a diverse range of individual characteristics.

In order to promote equality and equity I will work to remove access challenges and restrictions and facilitate the opportunity to participate.

In support of my ethics I have and will continue to work with and for under-represented groups.

This includes:

Ensuring ongoing informed consent with current and past project participants,

Ensuring participant recognition in publications and exhibitions,

Profit sharing of published work to appropriate charitable organisations.

Discounted commercial rates for groups, CIC’s and charities,

Free mentoring and advice sessions,

Free group sessions for schools and colleges,

Sharing stories of success and highlighting potential access restrictions,

Highlighting opportunities for under-represented groups,

Sharing advice and experience of applying for, receiving and utilising funding, commissions and opportunities,

Commitment to CPD work around ethics and representation.