Art / Photography
The photographer capturing the ‘essence’ of Bristol
A street portrait photographer has travelled up and down the country taking pictures of people all around different UK cities.
But since first visiting in January, it’s our city which has kept drawing him back.
Tom, who goes by @photographedbytom, has returned 12 times and taken hundreds of shots of “unique, friendly and creative” people going about their daily lives.
is needed now More than ever
A Redcliff Hill portrait
“I fell in love with the place,” Tom told Bristol24/7. “I quickly realised it was somewhere quite special.”
His favourite locations to shoot include Stokes Croft, Gloucester Road and Bath Road near the Martin Parr Foundation.
“I’m just trying to capture real moments of people I meet around the city, capturing authentic people and places,” he added.
A Stokes Croft portrait
When Tom approaches a potential subject, he politely tells them about what has caught his eye – perhaps the colour they’re wearing that might complement the backdrop, or how the light is falling upon them.
He said: “People like to be seen. Everybody’s day to day lives can be a drag but people still like to be playful.
“They’re often happy or flattered to be asked to make a photo together.”
A Prewett Street portrait
In other places, like London, Tom found that people can be in more of a rush and a little less receptive.
Tom is from Norwich and has a popular hometown account called @FacesofNorwich.
Online, his work has been getting a lot of attention, attracting three million views on Reddit in the last two months.
For his Bristol-specific posts, he’s received 50,000 views and hundreds of upvotes.
A portrait in the Centre
When he posts online about upcoming Bristol visits, people clamour to book a street portrait shoot with him.
“I’m not really a numbers guy. I’m in it for the creative process,” Tom told Bristol24/7.
“But Bristol has really embraced my project and many people tell me the images capture the essence of the people who live in this city.
“They say my images have a calm and emotional quality.”
A North Street portrait
Others are also finding success shooting street portraits around Bristol.
Wedding specialist Alex Daniel recently challenged himself to take 100 portraits per day in locations like Gloucester Road and the Harbourside.
Tom told Bristol24/7 he is thinking of launching a dedicated profile for ‘faces of Bristol’, encouraged by the positive responses he has received.
A St Nicholas Street portrait
A Bearpit portrait
A Cotham Hill portrait
A Montpelier portrait
A Southville portrait
All photos: Tom / @photographedbyTom / @thefacesofBristol
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