This project looks into the absentee of the child or children in the father’s lives. The dads that don’t have their children living with them but visit on a regular basis or in some cases, not so regular. Photographed in a similar way to The Simon Community using the sofa in the father’s home. A place where we all usually feel most comfortable.

When the family unit breaks down, it is more often than not that the man has to leave the home and start again. Find new dwellings and create a home for him self and a place for his children to come and stay. Each man has there own story and reason for the breakdown of the relationship and it is not always a sad story. Some are very happy with their situation and see their children as much as their mother does. Some children have grown up and decide them self’s when to visit there dads. This project looks at the dads and what possessions they have around them of their children, when the children are not there. A reminder, possession, an object or toy, or a sentimental object that triggers of some emotion or reminder of their children just like a photograph would do. I started this project because of my own situation and frustration of my children not living with me and having to see them on a part tim basis.  When my children are not with me, I look around and see things of there’s that make me smile, always evoking an emotion that is always there deep down inside that only other parents could understand.

The Simon Community is my photography project looking at the homeless situation and the people who sleep on the streets of London from the prospective of the volunteers at the Simon Community. This is a series of portraits of just some of the volunteers, taken at St Josephs house. Many of whom give up their life to help and provide a much needed service to those less fortunate than themselves. Some of the people I have photographed have at some stage of their life lived on the streets and been helped by the Simon Community. But not all. The volunteers come from all walks of life but everyone is treated the same and spoke to on the same level as everyone else, same with the men and women I met sleeping rough.

Having spent some time living and working with the Simon Community, helping with the early morning tea run and the street café and being there on the day of hospitality which is when the house is open to the homeless so that they can come in and have a wash, do their washing, have something to eat and socialize with like minded people. It soon became apparent to me the hard work and determination the volunteers put into making these people that LIVE on the streets feel normal and thought of. Having grown up as a working class lad and in my teenage years became a punk rocker listening to bands such as Crass, and Conflict, I have always had an interest in political issues in this country but never seem to of had an opportunity to do anything about it apart from join a band and sing about it, but that didn’t get me anywhere, just more frustrated. Since doing a foundation degree in contemporary photography, I now find myself in a better situation to make people aware of what is happening right under our noses. Many of the people that live on our streets have ended up there through no fault of their own. Some have had “normal” lives. Good job, wife, kids, house and then just like that, gone. They have lost their job, and then their house, wife left them then they have a mental break down and can no longer cope with anything so there fore  end up on the street. Alone. That is why I have decided to photograph them in this way. At the heart of the organization in the front room with an empty space at the side of them. Many homeless people like to stay anonymous that is why I have only named them by their first name and not said who used to be homeless and who works in a bank, who is a journalist or a student.

This project won the 2009 “National Media Museum” Bursary Award

Photographed on a local housing estate these are some of the kids that are growing up or come to stay with people on the estate. Once a social stigma and a rough place to live. This is a reflection of them self’s posed in different areas of the estate. 

ith people on the estate. Once a social stigma and a rough place to live. This is a reflection of them self’s posed in different areas of the estate.
graphed on a local housing estate these are some of the kids that are growing up or come to stay with people on the estate. Once a social stigma and a rough place to live. This is a reflection of them self’s posed in different areas of the estate.

People have smoked for many years and now it is socially un acceptable. Once you could go out to the pub for a drink and sit in a purposely-built room (a tap room) and smoke. Since the smoking ban smokers are forced to stand out side on the doorstep or in smoking shelters. Instead of opening up these rooms again just for the smokers.

An English mans home is his castle.  A place where we have our own comforts. When we shut the door to the out side world we feel safe and secure, but what when a stranger knocks and we are stood on the fresh hold with the door open we are vulnerable. Photographed at the moment the door was opened in an attempt to capture that vulnerability.