Our modern world moves at a pace that sometimes feels impossible to keep up with. Photography is a way of freezing moments that would not otherwise be seen.
Photography feels like a slowing down of the fleeting, a spotlight for creative communities otherwise out of sight, a new way of being creative, or simply vignettes commemorating the joy that can be found in the mundanity of life.
It is by no means new in the art world, however over the past couple of decades it has gradually gained its presence in the permanent collections of worldwide galleries and institutions (plenty were added to the National Portrait Gallery‘s wings upon reopening in 2023), with private photographic collections treated like private painting collections – Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection at the V&A as a recent example.
London Lives at Photo London. Photo by Graham Carlow
But where do you go to find – pretty much – all of the industry-defining photographs and leading contemporary photographers all in one place? The answer is Photo London. 2025 marks the photo fair’s tenth anniversary, as well as the 25th anniversary of Somerset House as a public – and internationally recognised – space for art. It’s a special year, made even more so with the incredible line up of local and international galleries, curators, and photographers. More than we can count. Here’s how to celebrate modern life at Photo London 2025, starting tomorrow, 15 May.
What Is Photo London?
Photo by Graham Carlow
Photo London is one of the most important annual international photography fairs in the world. Leading UK-based and international galleries will house their most promising talents and rarest archive pieces in individual booths, while select artists will also independently exhibit their photographs. The exhibition also includes a special showcase titled ‘London Lives’ spotlighting the dynamic relationship between artists and the British capital, as well as a ‘Discovery’ programme championing emerging galleries and photographers, and ‘positions’ initiative that spotlights emerging artists outside of gallery representation at art fairs.
As well as commemorating pioneering analogue methods of photography, Photo London also looks forwards to the future of the art. Like other creative disciplines, how can we keep this alive in an increasingly digitised space? Where else can we take photography? Find the answers in Somerset House this weekend.
What To See In The Exhibition
London Lives
Courtesy of Mary McCartney
This special exhibition titled ‘London Lives’ will take over the East & West Galleries at Somerset House with work by 30 leading artists. Critic and author Francis Hodgson is the curator, selecting each photographer – and photograph – for their creative response to life in the city, and to celebrate the wealth of talent we have the pleasure of being around in London. This is a rare opportunity to see lots of really big names in the photography world all in once place, from David Bailey’s black and white portraits and grungy cityscapes to Mary McCartney‘s intimate portraiture.
Lee Miller Archives
© Lee Miller Archives, England 2025. All rights reserved. leemiller.co.uk
Urgent, arresting, and startlingly elegant, once you discover Lee Miller’s photographs they don’t ever escape your mind. If you didn’t know about her pioneering photojournalism during World War Two before, the 2024 award-winning film Lee starring Kate Winslet helped throw the photographer’s work back into public light, after Miller kept many of these archives buried over the course of her life. The photographs on display have been carefully selected from the 60,000 negatives in the Lee Miller Archives, and the highest number ever of Lee Miller’s prints are available to buy at this year’s fair.
Amar Gallery
Amar Gallery, Black Panther Series by Stephen Shames
Amar Gallery in London spotlights international talent, including some photographs that immortalise historical movements for social justice, and the cultural and political figures behind them, from Black Panther protests and portraits of James Baldwin and Angela Davis – all photographed by Stephen Shames.
David Hill Gallery
Alice Mann: Sinalo Mshunqane, Karabo Mahanyele, Mbali Sibanyoni, Olebogeng Malema, Sinethemba Zwane, Rendani Raliphada, Sinothando Mdanda, Tshegofatso Sebogodi and Relebogile Mashapa, Curro Thatchfield Primary School Majorettes, Centurion, Tshwane 2018
1980s life in the American South, modern life in South Africa, are the subjects of both Baldwin Lee and Alice Mann‘s – and many other incredible artists’ – work exhibited by the David Hill Gallery, marking the gallery’s return to the art fair.
Galerie Clémentine de la Féronnière
Martin Parr b. 1952
Mayor of Todmorden’s inaugural banquet, West Yorkshire, 1977
Say “contemporary photography” and Martin Parr most definitely springs to mind. Known for his observational style that lends well to unique compositions and an air of spontaneity, his pieces have become synonymous with a new era of photography. Who better to pair this notoriety with than Ghanaian photographer James Barnor, whose work spans six decades but – until quite recently – remained relatively unknown. Barnor’s incredible snapshots of 60s London fashion and life in Ghana are clear highlights, and deserve more recognition.
Discovery Section
Hannah Norton, 2025
Photo London’s Discovery section promotes emerging galleries and their lesser known photographers, who are less than seven years into their careers. Curated by Charlotte Jansen, whose attention is captured by experimental artists thinking differently via photographs, the display is always a refreshing approach to contemporary life. Highlights this year include Hannah Norton‘s tender portraits of girlhood, Venezuelan-born Lucia Pizzani‘s exploration of colonialism and nature, and Margriet Smulder‘s unique still life shots.
positions
Back for its second year, ‘positions’ has curated a selection of unrepresented photographers, to help boost their careers. This is a rare opportunity for photographers to exhibit their work to a captive audience, but also for collectors, curators, and photography enthuses to get to know the names of the next big talents.
Gabriel Pinto El vuelo de Los Ángeles 2025. Nikon Emerging Photographers Awards.
The Talks
Alongside these extensive photography displays there is a very exciting programme of talks happening this year, bringing together producers, curators, artists, photographers, gallery directors (the list goes on) to discuss everything from photographic styles and techniques, artist anecdotes, and more.
Lead image credit: James Barnor b. 1929 Drum cover girl Erlin Ibreck stepping out of a Jaguar in Kilburn, London, 1966. Printed in 2023 Lambda C-Print 70 x 70 cm 27 ½ x 27 ½ in Edition of 5 plus 2 artist’s proofs (#5/5) (CF-JB-1097-5)
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