June Update — Woodside, Walks, and a Few Sheds
Lately I’ve been spending more time just walking, shooting, and having conversations. A couple weeks back, me and Luke headed out to Woodside. We’re slowly working our way around different parts of Telford — we did Brookside a while ago, and this felt similar. Tight-knit estates, houses close together, but there’s a real sense of community. Everyone knows each other. It’s not polished, but it feels honest.
We started the day with a Spoons breakfast and ended up chatting for a while about where we’re heading with the production company. No pressure, just ideas. Then we went for a walk — camera in hand — through some back paths and side streets. I like these kinds of places because they feel lived-in. There's always something weird and brilliant just tucked around a corner — like a bright blue canoe sticking out of someone’s garden, as if it’s ready to launch.
One of the people we spoke to introduced himself as The Conscious One. Proper character. Told us about his record deal in Canada and gave us this whole breakdown of his worldview and values. These are the kinds of conversations I’m always chasing — real, unfiltered, often unexpected.
Men’s Sheds — Early Days, Good People
Alongside the walks, I’ve started properly working on my new photo project: Private Worlds: Men in Their Sheds. The idea is simple — I want to photograph men in the spaces they’ve made for themselves. Could be a garage, a shed, a workshop — somewhere that’s theirs. Somewhere they can just be, without having to put anything on.
I’ve shot at two sheds so far. One of them was in Leek, where I met Jo — she helps set up Men's Sheds across the country. She got into it after losing her job and now helps run things nationally. She told me how these places become a kind of anchor for people. Somewhere to go, have a chat, fix something, just be useful again.
It made me think about why this project matters to me personally. I’ve felt isolated before. The fire service helped me find my place, and it’s interesting seeing how these sheds do the same for other men. I’m not looking for “perfect photos” — I’m more interested in the people and how these places give them purpose.
Shooting Style & Next Steps
Right now, I’m just shooting a lot. I’ve got my Epson R-D1 with me most of the time. I like grabbing the in-between moments — not everything needs to be posed or planned. Some of the best stuff comes from just being around and paying attention.
I’m hoping to turn all this into a zine eventually, maybe a small exhibition. But I’m not rushing it. I just want to take good photos, have good chats, and show how many different stories are out there — and how important it is to have somewhere that feels like your own.
