Hold Still
national portrait gallery
A portrait of our nation
One of my images featured in an exhibition celebrating the reopening of The National Portrait Gallery in 2023! Hold Still was part of the opening programme. Following major redevelopment works and the journey that unfolded as the result of an open call for images that tell the story of lockdown in 2020 is one I couldn’t have ever anticipated.
Capturing an intimate record of an exceptional period of history. Through a broad range of images, an open call by the Hold Still Project invited people from across the UK to submit photographs. To create a collective portrait of Britain during the coronavirus pandemic. The project received over 30,000 photograph submissions and 100 images were chosen for the final collection, mine included.
A portrait of a nation – the National Portrait Gallery’s open air national billboard exhibition. Seen here in Waterloo – London.
The making of the image…
This photo forms part of a series I captured entitled ‘Lockdown Life’. Honestly documenting life in lockdown in 2020. A moment in time, which saw everyone united in staying at home, holding still. So many moments in life are still happening in these places we call home. This project looked to explore and capture this.
I was booked by Paul and Simon’s sister to take pictures of all of her siblings and mum. Who live across the Isle of Thanet and it was really beautiful to be capturing these images for their family.
Lockdown forced us to meet our wild edges
the time wild edges felt so far but so close all at the same time….
Lockdown life
This image in particular has always felt iconic to me. I adore the architecture of Arlington House in Margate, and for me it really symbolised the solitude and stillness of lockdown in Thanet, East Kent.
This image was a logistically interesting one to create. Taken from over 200m away, texting Paul and Simon to come to the window of their fifteenth floor home. I often think about how we gaze upon a photo and the narrative it sparks in our minds. Most of all here, I think about what the perspective must have been like for Paul and Simon. Looking out across an empty beach and quiet roads in Margate.
The Hold Still journey
a story with many chapters
May 2020
Captured the image
The image of Paul & Simon was captured one May morning, with me in a car park waving up as they stepped to the window for a few frames.
Sept 2020
Final 100 images announced
The final collection of 100 images from over 30,000 entries was announced and my image was one of them and it was included in the ‘Director’s Choice’ selection of images Nicholas Cullinan said ‘such a striking and singular image from lockdown which evocatively captures the sense of isolation we have all experienced one way or another.’
Oct 2020
The national outdoor exhibition
The National Portrait Gallery put on a national exhibition of the images, publishing them on billboards across the country, so people could see them safely outside.
Oct – Dec 2020
National Memorial Arboretum
The National Portrait Gallery together with the National Memorial Arboretum hosted an outdoor exhibition of the 100 images in Hold still on digital screens around the grounds.
May 2021
Hold Still – the hardback book
The National Portrait Gallery published Hold Still – the hardback book and it went on to become an Amazon and Times Number 1 Best Seller.
May 2023
National Portrait Gallery acquire image to form part of the national archives
The National Portrait Gallery asked for permission to acquire image to form part of the national archives, which I was humbled to agree to. It gives me goosebumps that one of my photos will have a legacy like this, telling part of the story of our time. This is an absolute career high! I am so honoured to be one of the 100 chosen photographs to be part of this exhibition and have experienced the journey as it has unfolded.
July 2023
Hold Still part of reopening of National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery had been closed for several years and reopened on 22nd June 2023 and Hold Still was one of their opening exhibitions.
Photo: © David Parry/ National Portrait Gallery
July 2023
Hold Still photographers gather at National Portrait Gallery
A very moving day at where National Portrait Gallery invited all of the photographers to gather at the gallery to see the exhibition and capture a group photo. It was incredible to meet so many of the people who captured these storytelling images that together weave such a powerful narrative of live in 2020.
Limited edition print
This unique image is released as an edition of 100
It will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and the print is available in one size, 60 x 40 cm.
Images are proudly printed to order on sustainable Hahnemühle bamboo paper. At the UK’s first fine art and photographic printing service that is 100% end-to-end carbon neutral.
10% of profits are donated to Whale Wise.
Order online here. Prints are delivered to your door within 5-7 working days.
Price includes printing and delivery. You may incur customs charges if you order outside the UK.