In Conversation with BIPP Photographer of the Year 2022 Su Kaye FBIPP

BIPP Photographer of the Year 2022, Su Kaye FBIPP, has a unique eye for capturing the world around her and brings a fresh and playful perspective to her photography. From the rural landscapes of her travels to the candid moments of family gatherings, no matter the subject, Su’s creativity and sensitivity shine through in every shot.

This article will delve into Su’s life and work, exploring what makes her such a talented and unique image-maker.

When and why did you first get into photography?

From my early childhood, my dad was a photographer, and when I was growing up he had a darkroom in our loft until he had his own studio in London.

I always wanted to be a photographer – the passion was but my dad told me the same as his mum had said to him: “go and get a proper job.”

So I was a primary school teacher, and then I went away travelling for a while, and while I was away, I decided that’s what I wanted to do. I knew if I didn’t take the opportunity to learn from and work with my dad, I’d always regret it. He had a 50% business partner who did all the marketing and sales; I thought I couldn’t just come back and say, “can I have a job” so while I was away, I got a panel of pictures together for a Licentiateship with the RPS. I applied without telling my dad, then I came back and told him I’d passed and asked if I could have a job, and it all went from there. It was about 1995, I think.

What was your first BIPP panel in?

It was travel, then I did my Associateship in portraiture, and then I didn’t want people to say my dad had been in the studio with me – I’ve just got this thing that everything has to be genuine and above board, so my Fellowship was in ‘travel and illustrative’ because I could prove my dad wasn’t coming around the world with me. I was incredibly proud of what he had achieved, but I wouldn’t want anyone to question what I achieved at the time.