"Imperfection is Perfection: The Story Behind My Fellowship Panel"

September 24th, 2025

My Fellowship Panel with the SWPP

Gaining a Fellowship with the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (SWPP) is one of the highest achievements in photography. Unlike a competition or a single winning image, a fellowship is awarded through a panel, a carefully curated collection of images that together tell a story and demonstrate mastery.

A successful panel must show more than just technical skill. It needs to carry a clear vision, purpose, and emotional weight. The judges are looking for work that not only demonstrates control of light, composition, and presentation, but also reflects the photographer’s unique voice and intent. In short, it has to mean something.

For my panel, I aimed to create work that would resonate beyond the photography community. Something that would challenge me artistically, inspire me personally, and celebrate the lives of others. That purpose revealed itself at Avelon Road Centre in Rainham, Essex, an adult day centre for individuals with additional needs.

Thank You to Avelon Road Centre

This panel would not exist without the warmth, support, and generosity of the Avelon Road Centre in Rainham, Essex. From the very beginning, the staff welcomed me wholeheartedly, opening their doors and creating a space where I could immerse myself in the daily life of the centre.

I had the privilege of spending a full week at Avelon Road, not just as a photographer but as a guest. That time was invaluable. It allowed me to slow down, to listen, and to truly get to know the incredible individuals who attend the centre. I shared in conversations, laughter, and activities, and in doing so, I was able to build the trust and connections that shaped every photograph.

The clients were the heart of this journey. Each person gave me their openness and trust. Some were shy at first, others playful and full of energy, but each encounter revealed something unique and beautiful. Watching their confidence grow as the sessions unfolded was one of the most rewarding parts of this project. What began as a photography assignment quickly became a celebration of personalities, stories, and friendships.

The staff at the centre deserve special recognition. Their encouragement and constant support made me feel part of their community, and it was clear to me how deeply they care for those they work with every day. Their dedication created the foundation that allowed this project to flourish.

Together, we created something that goes far beyond a fellowship panel. These photographs are not just images; they are a lasting record of identity, dignity, and joy. They celebrate people as they are, in their most authentic selves.

I am profoundly grateful to the centre, its devoted team, and every client who stood in front of my camera. To me, this fellowship is not only a personal achievement, it is a shared one. In every sense, it belongs as much to Avelon Road as it does to me.

Statement of Intent

"At the heart of this panel , I wanted to create something meaningful, something that would both challenge & inspire me and celebrate the people I worked with. I found that purpose at Avelon Road Centre, an adult day centre for extraordinary individuals with additional needs.

The panel before you is the result of time spent with the clients of the centre, each of whom welcomed me into their world. Together, we built something that I believe represents far more than photography, it represents identity, joy, and the truth that imperfection is perfection.

I made a conscious choice to avoid heavy post-production. Retouching skin, clothing, or other so-called “flaws” would only strip away the honesty and authenticity of these portraits. Instead, I wanted each image to reflect the vibrancy and character of the people themselves, individuals who live full, loving, and joyful lives, even in a society that too often labels them as “different.”

What makes me proud of this panel is not only the images themselves but the relationships behind them. Spending time with each person allowed me to see their personality shine through, and in some cases, their disabilities almost disappear in the frame.

Every photograph carries a story, and I look forward to sharing some of what I learned about each individual during this journey.

Perhaps most striking is the fact that some of the people you see here, living with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and others had reached their 50s without ever having had a professional photoshoot. To be able to provide them with this experience, and to preserve their presence in a way that honours who they truly are, has been a privilege.

I’ve had a number of parents who have reached out with thanks, as these are the first ever professional photos they have ever had, because they felt they wouldn’t be able to.

This panel is more than an artistic project it is a celebration of humanity, authenticity, and the extraordinary beauty of people who deserve to be seen, honoured, and remembered."