Identity: Exploring Who We Are Through Photography & Community

Who are we, what makes us who we are, and how do the communities we belong to shape our identities?

Join photographer Estelle Cadwallader for an engaging and collaborative photography workshop exploring identity, self-expression and the relationships between who we are and the communities that influence us.

Part of Estelle's Pockets of Community MA research project, this workshop invites participants to reflect on their personal experiences, interests, relationships and values, and explore how these can be communicated through photography.

Through creative activities, group discussion and collaborative portraiture, we'll consider how photography can tell stories about identity that go beyond physical appearance.

From the places we've lived and the people who have influenced us to the communities we belong to and the things we believe in, our identities are shaped by countless experiences and connections.

This workshop is an opportunity to explore those influences and discover new ways of representing ourselves and one another.

We'll begin with a creative activity called This Is Me / This Is Us, inviting you to explore the different elements that make up your identity.

Using a personal mind map, you'll be encouraged to think about your interests, values, relationships, memories, culture, meaningful places and the experiences that have shaped who you are.

We'll then explore how our identities are influenced by the people and communities around us.

Together, we'll consider questions such as:

• What communities have influenced who you are?
• What have you learned about yourself through belonging to a community?
• What do you contribute to the communities you're part of?
• Are there parts of your identity that you express more freely in certain spaces?
• How has your identity changed over time?

These reflections will provide inspiration for the photographic activity later in the workshop.

We'll look at the work of photographers and artists who have explored identity, representation and self-expression through their creative practice.

From Arnold Newman's environmental portraits, which use surroundings and objects to communicate something about a person's character, to Zanele Muholi's powerful exploration of identity and representation through self-portraiture, we'll discover how photographs can reveal different aspects of who we are.

We'll also explore the work of Mahtab Hussain, whose portraits examine culture, masculinity and belonging, and Rene Matić, whose multidisciplinary practice explores identity, family, class and community.

Together, these examples will encourage us to think about how clothing, objects, locations, gestures, expressions and personal choices can communicate identity through photography.

The main activity is called Show Me Who You Are, a collaborative portraiture exercise that encourages participants to work together to create photographs reflecting their identities.

Working in pairs, you'll have the opportunity to learn about one another through conversation and the personal mind maps created earlier in the session.

Rather than simply photographing someone as they appear, you'll explore how they would like to be represented.

Together, you can make creative decisions about:

• Location: Is there a particular setting or background that represents who you are?
• Clothing and objects: Could something meaningful help communicate your interests, experiences or personality?
• Pose and expression: How would you like to present yourself?
• Lighting and composition: How might different photographic choices influence the way your identity is communicated?
• Visibility: Would you prefer your face to appear, or could your identity be represented through objects, shadows, hands or other details?

You may create a single photograph or a series of images exploring different aspects of someone's identity.

You could also explore how a particular community has influenced them, using photographs to communicate the relationship between personal identity and collective belonging.

Importantly, you remain in control of how you are represented.

If you would prefer not to be photographed, you can participate as the photographer instead. The emphasis is on choice, collaboration and respectful creative expression.

After the photography activity, we'll come together to review and discuss the images created during the session.

Working collaboratively, you'll have the opportunity to choose which photographs best represent your identity and consider whether to accompany them with words, titles or personal reflections.

We'll explore one central question:

Which photograph feels most like you, and why?

This process encourages participants to think about how photographs communicate identity and the importance of allowing people to influence how their own stories are told.

There will also be an opportunity to reflect on the creative process, share experiences and learn from the different perspectives within the group.

During this workshop, there will be an opportunity to take portraits. If you would like to be photographed, you might want to think about how you would like to be represented and whether there is anything you would like to bring with you.

You do not have to be photographed if you feel uncomfortable in front of the camera. We can explore your identity in other ways, using objects, places, hands, shadows or other things that represent who you are. The choice is entirely yours.

This workshop is open to anyone interested in photography, creativity, identity, community or visual storytelling.

You don't need any previous photography experience or specialist knowledge. The emphasis is on creative exploration, collaboration and personal expression rather than technical ability.

Whether you're an experienced photographer, enjoy taking photographs on your phone or simply want to explore something new, you're welcome to participate.

The workshop is designed to be a respectful and supportive environment where everyone can contribute at their own pace.

This workshop forms part of Pockets of Community, a non-profit MA research project exploring community, belonging, connection and identity through photography.

Ethical photography and respectful representation are central to the session.

Participants will be encouraged to make decisions about how they are photographed, which images they wish to share and how they would like to be represented.

Photographs will only be shared beyond the workshop with appropriate consent from those photographed.

Estelle Cadwallader is a photographer undertaking an MA research project titled Pockets of Community, exploring how photography can help us understand and represent communities.

Her approach places emphasis on collaboration, ethical photographic practice and giving individuals a voice in how their identities and experiences are represented.

Through this series of workshops, Estelle aims to encourage creative participation, bring people together and explore how photography can communicate the relationships between identity, community and belonging.

Join us to explore what makes you who you are, connect with others and discover how photography can tell the stories of our identities.