I’m Simon…
the lead guide for The Camera Work CIC. I’ve travelled, worked and volunteered across the world over two decades, much of which documenting the social world, social injustice and representing the marginalised as a professional photographer and filmmaker. I’ve both worked with and been commissioned by INGO’s, charities, museums and non profits as well self initiating and distributing projects both in the UK and internationally.
I set up The Camera Work for two main reasons. The first is to create a space in which people can represent and express themselves and their communities, be the creators instead of the subjects and author their own stories. Too many times the real experts are snuffed out by people just like me, who can never truly understand the lives of others as they do themselves. Best intentions not withstanding.
The second is to fill a gap between straight photography courses and the world of counselling, arts based therapies and clinical practices used as interventions in the modern social world.
Through engaging with slow photography and the creative process I believe people from any demographic can discover personal responses, skills and tools to help (re)connect with the world around them, communicate their life story and express themselves.
And by connecting with our creative selves, life stories and ways of seeing anew we are lead into a process self discovery and the unleashing of inner potential. A creativity and potential we all have, but is too often drowned out through circumstance. And that’s what The Camera Work sets out to put right.
The Camera Work is both founded on my own life story and responses to the social world. It is also academically informed (BSc, First Class, Social Science, Open University - MSc, Science, Technology & International Development, University of Edinburgh - Current - PG Cert, Therapeutic Photography, Robert Gordon University) and supported through ongoing research, though very much like my documentary films and stills photography projects remains grounded in the real world and real people.
I don’t use modish terminology or attach myself to on trend issues to sell projects or win grants.
I work with analogue as i’m a human being and therefore analogue too. It’s the most direct and natural way to connect with your creative self.
It’s the same for all of us.
