'Beneath the Looking Glass' is my Final Major Project for Birmingham City University's Photography BA (Hons) course.

In November of 2023, I visited Paris Photo with BCU. Within the Grand Palais Éphémère, there was a sectioned-off and covered area in which photos of nude people were exhibited. As I was standing there, admiring the lighting and the comfort of the model, I started to overhear the crowd.

The most common thing I heard? “Absolutely disgusting.”



Followed by: “They shouldn’t allow this kind of thing”, “Seriously? There are children here”, “Awful”, and worst of all “Christ, she’s ugly”.



I was genuinely startled. These were people who assumedly loved photography so much, most of whom were not from France, that they had come to Paris Photo to be immersed in it, and their immediate response to a nude photo of an objectively beautiful woman was to be disgusted. I was startled, then confused, then sad, and then briefly amused (whist this exhibition was covered over, it’s viewing optional, there was an area a few aisles away openly displaying a Nazi and a KKK member in bondage, which I thought was hilarious).



But mostly I was sad. What lives have these people lived in which they’ve been told the human body is something to be disgusted by? Rather standard lives, actually. In my art-exhibition-related-euphoria, I had forgotten that society has set a physical standard, and if someone does not meet that standard, they are considered disgusting or unfit to be shown, unfit to be celebrated.



This is what 'Beneath the Looking Glass' fights against. It is a series designed to challenge this reemergence of purity culture within art spaces and broader society. To show that all bodies, no matter the size or shape, will be celebrated.

Bigotry doesn't belong in art.

These four images were printed on acetate and installed in frames approximately 20 inches away from the wall, backlit, as seen below. The pictured installation was exhibited during the Inspired Festival at BCU (June 13th-23rd) and will also be displayed at Free Range in London (July 11th-13th).

Zines with additional shots and a fifth model are on sale at both shows.

This project even netted me an award: Photography BA (Hons) Most Innovative.

Here are the additional shots, and the additional model, featured only within the zines sold at the Inspired Festival and Free Range:

These photos show the culmination of (2025) L4 Fashion Textiles skills, modelled by Maria Vasquez (@mariswtz) and Erin Dyas.

Looks were curated by Sian Riley (@sianrileystudio), Pranil Oza (@VHMENCE), and Soman Shahi (@som.bespoke), with makeup by Amy Dyas (@beautycleanbyamy).

More looks shot by Jasleen Kaur (@j.azphotography).

On April 3rd 2025, I was asked by three MA Cosmetics Branding Students to help them out with their projects final stills. These photos are the results:

Harriet's product was a blush in multiple swatches, but focusing more on the cherry blossom pink.

Jodie's product was a no-touch refillable soap dispenser, simple and sleek.

Precious' was a lip gloss made specifically for people of colour, with a simple chrome exterior.

Working with Twinks Burnett's MA Fashion students is always a treat, and I am grateful to have done so again for a third year. Take a look!

Photographic process assisted by students from Arden Academy.

Here are all of the looks shown on the BCU x BMET x Commonwealth Showcase Catwalk in December of 2024. It was such an incredible experience!

I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to shoot L6 Fashions' end-of-year catwalk again in the December of 2024. Theme: Lo-Fi.

Here are all of the looks!

'Meet Me In The Middle' is a 3rd year project based on the quote "Meet me in the middle," by A.R. Moxon, a novelist and political commentator. This piece was born of the attitudes surrounding the upcoming (now passed) 2024 USA Presidential Elections. Each letter was surface-scanned from signs, posters, and graffiti in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the same town from which Moxon writes about the rapid decay of America.

Printed on synthetic cotton, the final piece is 300cm x 75cm.

"Meet me in the middle, says the unjust man. You take a step towards him, he takes a step back. Meet me in the middle says the unjust man."

'DIRTY EGO's SLOGUN series was my first time officially working with a clothing brand. Working alongside founder and fellow student Ramaya (@ramayannaise) to create these shots based on 'NPC Energy' was incredibly fulfilling.

Models: @asiadhillon & @charmiiah

'REQUIEM POUR UNE ROSE', a project belonging to Vilyn (@vilyn_chau) and shot by myself.

"Referencing the style of Maison Margiela, I have used the abstract concept of ‘Emptiness after the Revelry’ combined with dramatic overtones to create a unique narrative based on the theme of ‘Abstinence Reaction’, a psychological syndrome that occurs when an organism stops using a drug or reduces the dose."

'REQUIEM POUR UNE ROSE', a project belonging to Vilyn (@vilyn_chau) and shot by myself.

"Referencing the style of Maison Margiela, I have used the abstract concept of ‘Emptiness after the Revelry’ combined with dramatic overtones to create a unique narrative based on the theme of ‘Abstinence Reaction’, a psychological syndrome that occurs when an organism stops using a drug or reduces the dose."

'REQUIEM POUR UNE ROSE', a project belonging to Vilyn (@vilyn_chau) and shot by myself.

"Referencing the style of Maison Margiela, I have used the abstract concept of ‘Emptiness after the Revelry’ combined with dramatic overtones to create a unique narrative based on the theme of ‘Abstinence Reaction’, a psychological syndrome that occurs when an organism stops using a drug or reduces the dose."

These photos are the result of working with MA Fashion Media student Kezia Tamah Mahoney (@https._tamah).

These images were taken behind the scenes of my 'What A Waste.' shoot. My female model had decided she wasn't going to give my male model his shirt back, one she had borrowed for a few shots, because, and I quote: "I really, really like it!"

The following then ensued, and I thought the images much too funny not to share.

Clarification: No models were hurt during the taking of these images (the same cannot be said, however, for that shirt and my set).

'What A Waste.' is a project created under the modelling agency UKIYO's client brief, given to us through BCU. I have a great fascination for the human form and, at a base level, I do not understand society's general aversion. This leads to me pushing against what is considered acceptable in any scenario, as there is only progress when the 'rules' are under strain.

'Fight for a better world, and if you can't do that, at least fight the people who fucked it up in the first place.'

'Pretty Dolls' touches on the social performances known as Gender and Sexuality, using mannequins over models to emphasise the disconnect between what those around us see and who we really are past the assumptions.

When faced with my end-of-year assignment, which involved creating a project that addresses a societal issue of our choice, I decided to explore gender expression through fashion, and more specifically, the transgender experience. Being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, this project was extremely personal to me, and having the support of my like-minded peers made all the difference.

'People tend to see what they want to see, never looking past the surface at the ropes and chains that can hold us together or hold us back.'