Interview with Sophie Dunne

Photographer Sophie Dunne took lockdown by storm with her ‘Portraits On Our Doorstep’ project. Sophie’s project started by accident when she was taking photos of her neighbours during the clap for the NHS, but she soon realised how much positivity she could bring to families during lockdown. Sophie took the time to speak to us about her lockdown triumph.

Q: What inspired you to become a photographer?

When I finished my Lens and Digital Media degree I began working in a local school as a media technician. I got my teaching qualification and began to teach GCSE Media Studies. Alongside this I kept up my passion for photography and worked weekends in all of the nightclubs and local bars in Essex, Hertfordshire and London. I became so busy that I stopped teaching and built a team of photographers to help cover all the venues. I created a website called snappedout.com, this was before the days of Facebook and smart phones with cameras. It was an amazing ten years and as a natural progression, my personal social network of people I used to photograph in the clubs, all began to get married and have families. From then my direction changed and I have been snapping all their life stories ever since. I absolutely love it!

Q: How did your ‘Portraits On Our Doorstep project begin?

On March 26th the nation made the decision to come to their front doors and clap as a sign of thanks for the wonderful work the NHS were providing. People everywhere wanted to show support and come together, which was on their doorsteps.

I was desperately missing using my camera and photographing families on a daily basis, so I decided to take the camera out in my street and capture the community clap and see a few friendly faces at the same time.

I stood and watched with tears in my eyes. The people in my community are wonderful and it made me think about all the other communities around. This was the moment I realised I needed to visit as many people as possible and capture families on their own doorsteps. Doorsteps became a backdrop that would signify this time and give everyone a piece of history they were going to keep forever.

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Q: What was inspiring you to keep so positive during lockdown?

This was my opportunity to create a chronicle of a moment in history and what made it even more special was that it didn’t matter if your family was large, small or you lived on your own: it was a time where we were all seen as equal. So I decided to represent this in family portraits on people’s doorsteps, making sure the focus was the doorway only. This wasn’t about where you live or how fancy or big your house was, it was about a time of equality and embracing families being together behind their front door. The front door became the most symbolic backdrop of any photograph I have ever taken!

Q: What was the final figure you raised for the NHS?

I allowed people to purchase their photographs as a way to raise money for the NHS and raised over £2,000 for them. I can hand on heart say, I have never been prouder of myself and the project I have undertaken.

Q: Did you meet lots of new people along the way?

I captured front line doctors, teachers, food suppliers and many more key workers with their families. I helped people celebrate and remember birthdays from ages 1 to 100 years old. I also visited single parents struggling, parents in fear of giving birth without their partners, newborn babies that hadn’t met any of their families as well as capturing people’s loved ones that were unable to see each other. I even covered a few famous faces, you may spot them in my photographs!

Q: How did the project affect your life?

They were the longest hours I have ever worked, I missed a lot of time with my own son which was very hard but I knew this would be something I would never be able to capture again. I hope my son will always look back on this book and remember what a special time it was for everyone, but most of all how special it was that I was able to capture it all and share it with the world in this beautiful way. He spent many hours next to me on the journeys, helping and waiting patiently while I captured everyone and I dedicate it all to him.

Q: So, what’s next for Sophie Dunne Photography?

Next for me will be getting my ‘COVID-19, Portraits On Our Doorstep’ book published, I am really hoping to get it out in time for Christmas. I’ve just had my very first copy made and I’m so proud of it. I’m also going to be moving to a brand new commercial studio space to carry on capturing families together there, which is super exciting. I hope this will allow me to invite the local community to join me and be creative, I will be teaching photography, editing and art classes. Creating beautiful images is such a fabulous way to express yourself and unwind. I am hoping to give people the tools to share my experience and allow people of all ages to get creative.

Instagram: @sophiedunnephotography

Facebook: @sophiedunnephotos

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