I always thought swimmers would make beautiful portraits - a podcast by Karen Parry outdoor swimming

My guest this week is photographer Justine Desmond.



If you read Outdoor Swimmer magazine, you will be familiar with her work as one of her photographs was on the front cover of the February 2021 edition and some images from her project entitled 'The Swimmers' are featured in the magazine.



In this episode, Justine talks about the importance of a photo shoot being a genuine collaboration with the person she is photographing.



She explains how important it was to put out the right invitation to encourage swimmers to come forward to take part feeling happy and comfortable with the process, both of having their photograph taken but also sharing their story of why they swim.



Crucially, the invitation included a sense of calling out the negative impact that being bombarded with images of perfect bodies and perfect lives has on our self esteem, with the promise that this project would show real bodies and celebrate their real shapes and diversity.



It was an absolute joy speaking to Justine.



 



Please check out her work here, and look at the specific projects she mentions 'Brighton Peeps' and 'The Swimmers', as well as Portrait of Britain.



 



 



 



 



 



Work inspired by Justine's The Swimmers photographs



             

Further episodes of Swim Wild Podcast

Further podcasts by Karen Parry outdoor swimming

Website of Karen Parry outdoor swimming