Safe spaces is socially engaged photography project exploring intimacy, reflection, and personal narratives within environments where individuals feel secure. The project focuses on peers I have meaningful connections with, capturing moments that reveal their relationships, values, and creative practices.
For this project, I worked with Iqra, Pelumi, and Sara, each contributing a unique perspective on personal space and expression.
With Iqra, we explored photography in a cozy, neutral setting that felt comfortable to her, rather than her distant home. She brought a family album, allowing us to photograph her interacting with memories that anchor her sense of family across countries. Through conversation, I learned how distance from loved ones and her husband in Pakistan affects her daily life and relationships. The images reflect her personal narratives, with minimal editing to preserve authenticity.
Pelumi participated in a reflective Bible study session. I photographed her in her student accommodation, focusing on hands, journals, and over-the-shoulder perspectives to respect her privacy while capturing her engagement with faith. Through our conversations, I documented her spiritual journey, favourite scripture, and gospel song, creating images that communicate devotion, contemplation, and connection.
In the studio, Sara was photographed as she worked on her Fine Art coursework. By capturing her from the side or behind, I emphasised the process of creation over the artist herself. Her artworks, including suspended cocoons, were photographed alongside her reflections, highlighting how her creative practice intertwines with mental health, religion, and personal growth.
Across all three collaborations, the project emphasises respect, consent, and collaboration. By centring comfort and openness, Safe Spaces visualises moments of trust, reflection, and creative expression, highlighting how individuals carve out personal and emotional sanctuaries in both physical and metaphorical spaces.
