Instagram Takeover: Sophie Green

Sophie Green, social documentary and portrait photographer is our next guest editor for our Instagram takeover, January 2017.

I am a social documentary and portrait photographer based in London (b.1991).

My photography is a spontaneous, intuitive reaction to the ordinary – capturing unconventional beauty in its natural, everyday environment.

I have a strong interest in British culture and communities who exist on the edge of society and marginalised people who are under represented and removed from the mainstream. I want to challenge the common misconceptions and judgements that can exist in our society and provide a platform for the subjects to tell their story.

@sophiegreenstudio x @photoworks_uk instagram takeover. ‘Pedigree Power’ was featured within an editorial for @unemployedmagazine. A documentation of horse racing culture at Ascot Racecourse – one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom. See the full series here; http://www.sophiegreenphotography.com/ascot-horseraces-unemployed-magazine/ #photoworks #sophiegreen

A photo posted by Photoworks (@photoworks_uk) on Jan 28, 2017 at 10:36am PST

@sophiegreenstudio x @photoworks_uk instagram takeover. ‘Shepherds Bush: The Heart of British Fashion’ was featured within a fashion editorial for 1 Granary magazine @1granary, shot in London’s Shepard’s Bush. The project focuses on the fabric shops and multicultural community as a source point for both materials and inspiration for many of the industry’s up and coming fashion designers. See the full series here;http://www.sophiegreenphotography.com/one-granary/ #photoworks #sophiegreen

A photo posted by Photoworks (@photoworks_uk) on Jan 29, 2017 at 11:55am PST

I’m fascinated by imperfections in life, human vulnerabilities and our ability to overcome adversity – the re occurring theme throughout my work is the power of the human spirit. I’m intrigued by communities united together by mutual circumstance and by the glue that holds these individuals together.

I believe that trust and respect are fundamental to the process of creating an emotional and revealing portrait. Many of my projects develop over several years in order to honour and respect the subjects’ lives and portray them truthfully through images and text.

@sophiegreenstudio x @photoworks_uk instagram takeover. ‘Pedigree Power’ was featured within an editorial for @unemployedmagazine. A documentation of horse racing culture at Ascot Racecourse – one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom. See the full series here; http://www.sophiegreenphotography.com/ascot-horseraces-unemployed-magazine/ #photoworks #sophiegreen

A photo posted by Photoworks (@photoworks_uk) on Jan 28, 2017 at 10:35am PST

@sophiegreenstudio X @photoworks_uk I shot ‘Dented Pride’ in conjunction with my series ‘Bangers & Smash’ which focuses on the banger & stock car racing subculture. Whilst shooting I fell in love with the dented, scratched and textured surfaces of the car exteriors. Where some would maybe just see damage and destruction, I saw beauty. At the start of the event typically a banger car will be decorated with fresh paintwork. Covered in funny and charming slogans, including nicknames and messages to girlfriends, each car forms a unique work of art in its own individualistic way. But as the cars compete the wear and tear builds layer upon layer as a result of the collisions and crashes creating new compositions and textures. The crop of the abstractions allows you to appreciate every little detail of wear and tear that the car experiences. The scratches and textures are made completely by chance – I love that randomness. See the full series here; http://www.sophiegreenphotography.com/dented-pride/ #photoworks #sophiegreen

A photo posted by Photoworks (@photoworks_uk) on Jan 27, 2017 at 9:38am PST

I want my photography to reflect a vision, tell stories and provide an insight that is not always accessible on the surface.

My photographs have been published widely including The Sunday Times, The Financial Times, The Telegraph, VICE, Man About Town, Re-Edition, Victory Journal, i-D Magazine and more. I have been nominated as winner of the Magnum Photos Graduate Award 2015, selected for IdeasTap and Magnum Photographic Award 2014 including the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2015. My work has been exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, Somerset House, Houses Of Parliament and more.