When COVID-19 first reached Europe and the lockdown began to tighten in the UK, I was shocked to see scenes of empty supermarket shelves and people panic buying. I heard that food banks – which are already strapped for vital supplies – were really struggling and I wanted to do something to help. So a group of friends and I started a print sale, with support from whynow, to bring the photo community together and support a good cause.
After putting out an open call with the theme of ‘Hope’, we received over 100 submissions from around the world. Here, we’ll be showcasing a selection of photographers who took part in the initiative, and sharing their personal reasons for hope.
Greg C. Holland
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your work and previous projects?
I currently live and work in London, having spent the last 5 years living between Myanmar, Australia and Mexico working for newspapers and NGOs in Asia, fashion studios and farms in Australia and always shooting documentary and portrait work. I assist a lot of editorial photographers and do lighting on sets. Currently, I’m laying out a book and preparing prints from a body of work I shot while living in Mexico.
Why does your photo represent hope?
In 2012 when Myanmar opened up to the world, there was a great deal of hope from within the nation, hope that they’d be able to rejoin the global community and put their years of isolation under a military dictatorship behind them. When I lived there in 2013-2014, hope was the overarching theme to every interaction. I took this photo during the first week I was there. There was no security or health and safety at the domestic airports and I could walk freely onto the runway with my camera, as I waited for my flight. While exploring, I found this Purple Warrior bursting out of the drainpipe, out of the sewers and into the daylight.
When I lived in Myanmar in 2013-2014, hope was the overarching theme to every interaction – I took this photo during the first week I was there
How are you staying positive during lockdown?
During the lockdown, I’ve been digging through my 5 years-worth of archives and started to rescan all my old negatives, looking at images with a new perspective. It’s been interesting to relive all these old trips and I’ve made a few journals from motorbike trips in Vietnam with maps and tickets glued in.
I struggle with ADHD, so being in the house for so long can spin me out. Mountain biking and long walks with a podcast can really alleviate the stresses of isolating with a hyperactive mind. Isolation is tough on us all; we’re now being forced to really take stock of what we need to be healthy and balanced and I’m sure we’re all getting to know ourselves a little better.
Claire Arnold
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your work and previous projects?
I am a Creative Director and filmmaker. I was formerly the associate commercial creative director at i-D magazine and now work on all manner of creative endeavours across fashion, entertainment, beauty, art and culture with artists, brands and organisations. I love to take pictures alongside my projects; it’s kind of a journaling process for me and something that I really enjoy. We took a lot of pictures in my family growing up, it was just a reflex we have always had and it’s something I continue to do (much to the annoyance of some of my oldest friends!)
Why does your photo represent hope?
This photo was captured on one of my favourite nights out in a city I would like to think of as a second home to me. It was at ‘A Club Called Rhonda’ in Silverlake, Los Angeles. It captures the fun of nightlife, and the part that I really struggled with when lockdown was announced. I realised how much going to clubs and throwing parties with friends was such an intrinsic part of my self-expression.
That gives me hope – that we still need each other as human beings and that coming together for real is one of the best things about feeling alive
Everyone is trying to replicate that feeling with apps, but I think most people would agree the atmosphere of a party cannot really translate the same way on a screen. Some things are just better in real life and that gives me hope for what the future holds, that we still need each other as human beings and that coming together for real, is one of the best things about feeling alive.
How are you staying positive during lockdown?
I have really appreciated this moment to pause, reflect and play again. Our society – and particularly the creative industry – really suffers from moving so quickly all the time. It’s one of the best and worst things about it, so to have a minute to breathe has felt like a really rare opportunity to actually sit with yourself, your thoughts and ideas.
With nearly all obligations removed, it really encourages you to think about what you want and what makes you happy and gives way to your natural instincts and the simple things that excite you. Music has been a big sidekick to me during this lockdown: making the time for DJing and just experimenting in various programmes, things I don’t always have the luxury to do. Reading, listening and learning without being rushed. Also getting the time to chat with old friends and family more. I’ve really appreciated this.
Gemma Taylor
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your work and previous projects?
I’m a photographer and writer based in the North West, UK. I focus on long-term documentary work, with an environmental, human rights or other social issue angle, and produce stories for charities.
One of my projects involving single-parents – ‘Putting Food on the Table’ – is becoming more important with the effects of the pandemic, exacerbating what it means to live in poverty. I know that when you’re struggling financially, putting food on the table can be equal part love, equal part stress. This project will restart later this year, and any single-parents across the UK that want to take part and have a beautiful family portrait taken, please get in touch.
Why does your photo represent hope?
This image was taken in Croatia last year. Under that tempting-looking water, there were swarms of comb jellyfish. They’re harmless to humans, but there were hundreds at a time. The jellies aren’t native and have no natural predators, so they’re growing exponentially in number and competing with fish for the same food.
I hope that we all get the opportunity to travel again soon and make new memories, and that when we do, we’ll do so with more appreciation
The theory is, the jellies were picked up in the ballast water of an oil tank in one place and dropped off in another. I hope that we all get the opportunity to travel again soon and make new memories, and that when we do, we’ll do so with more appreciation. I also hope that next time, I’ll be brave enough to swim with the jellies for more than 30 seconds!
How are you staying positive during lockdown?
I think like most people, this is easier or harder depending on the particular day. I try to do things that are good for the mind and body in bite size pieces, otherwise I too easily convince myself that I don’t have time.
I have an exercise app where you pick sessions starting from just 5 minutes and up, and I commit to doing at least one creative thing every day, or something self-indulgent.
Writing for charities keeps me busy, but when I’ve finished, I love IGTV for catching up on creative chats, re-leafing through favourite photo books (Teju Cole, Blind Spot, Rinko Kawauchi, Illuminance), and watching Real Housewives of Cheshire, which I enjoy even more now I’m based in the same county!
Ivan Tomasevic
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your work and previous projects?
I am a photographer from Croatia living in Berlin. My work and projects revolve mainly around contemporary and intimate documentary photography.
Even if we feel a bit lonely and lost at the moment, it’s important to know that this too shall pass. Keep your chin up and shine on
Why does your photo represent hope?
Even if we feel a bit lonely and lost at the moment, it’s important to know that this too shall pass. Keep your chin up and shine on.
How are you staying positive during lockdown?
Trying to take the best out of the situation; looking on the bright side of things; documenting and observing the current state of my environment and banalities that are slowly becoming a new reality; curiosity about what is coming next; introspecting and staying in touch with myself and my feelings, and staying productive and focused on where I want to go next.
All prints available to buy now from printsforfood.com until 31st May, with all profits going directly to The Trussell Trust, a charity with a nationwide network of more than 1,200 food banks.
