Digital Photographer - UK (2020-05)

Thestreet photographer on her

career experiences and creative motivation

Sara Melhuish

I’vebeenshootingprofessionally for six

yearsnow.Itstartedinearnest when I was

givenanopportunitytofreelance for an ad

agencydoingacoupleofcampaigns where

theimageswereshotonthestreet, through

myeyes,asastreetphotographer. Currently I

teachstreetphotographyworkshops, as well

asworkingonprojectsrevolving around Soho

andtheWestEndinLondon.

I’mastreetphotographerwho proactively

searchesoutthebrightsunand shadows, so

thestyleofmyimagesisquite graphic and

colourful,withalotofshadows and negative

space.Sayingthat,Ialsorevere puddles,

windowsandshinyobjectsfor the purpose of

reflectionsanddepth.Ioftenstand very still

in an area for quite some time, capturing the

flow of people coming and going, pondering

their backgrounds and situations and

then taking a snapshot of them that tells a

miniature story of that moment of time.

I am very fortunate that I personally have

not had a problem with gender inequality in

photography, but that’s not to say it isn’t out

there. When attending workshops, street walks

and meets for street photographers I find the

vast majority are male, but I am treated with

kindness and mutual respect. With time I have

made a conscious effort to contact and meet

up with more female street photographers

and have developed great friendships

through this. London has an amazing street

photographer’s community, and even if you

are out shooting alone, which is often the case,

you will find someone else you know with a

camera on a street corner and stop for a chat

and a catch-up.

For me, it’s not so much about being a

“strong woman in photography” but about

empowering myself through my passion.

Photography has got me out of my shell,

helped with my social anxiety and has made

me a stronger and braver person. The pivotal

moment was when I was asked to become a

tutor, and rather than dissecting and picking

the offer apart I just said yes. I still get nervous

before a course, but I think it shows that I care

and want to do a good job.

For me,it’s not so

much aboutbeing

a‘strongwoman in

photography’ but

aboutempowering

myself through

my passion

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