During summer 2025, I was commissioned by the Ichthyosis Support Group to photograph a series of portraits for their Faces of Ichthyosis awareness campaign.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with the co-founder and Medical & Communications Manager, of the ISG, Mandy Aldwin-Easton, for several years, photographing the charity’s bi-annual conferences, family away days and other publicity material. To be asked to photograph this project on behalf of the ISG was another real honour.
Ichthyosis is a lesser-known genetic skin condition, and for many people living with it, everyday life can involve difficult questions, unwanted attention and an instinct to cover up. There is currently no cure, so awareness, understanding and visibility are incredibly important.
The people who volunteered to be photographed were all members of the ISG. They came forward to take part in the project and, in many cases, to show areas of their skin that they may have spent much of their lives feeling self-conscious about. That takes real courage, and I was very aware of the trust placed in me as the photographer.
The portraits needed to show each person in a positive, respectful and honest way, while also clearly highlighting the visible characteristics of ichthyosis. For this awareness campaign, it was important that the dryness and scaling of the skin remained visible in the photographs. Many people living with ichthyosis use creams and moisturisers to reduce these effects day to day, so taking part in the project meant allowing this aspect of the condition to be seen more clearly than they might usually choose. That added another layer of bravery to everyone’s involvement.
The shoot took place over one day at the ISG offices in Wokingham. I brought along a full location studio setup, including professional lighting and backdrop, allowing us to create a calm, consistent space for the portraits. Over the course of the day, I photographed 12 volunteers living with different types of ichthyosis, across a range of ages, genders and ethnic backgrounds.
Subtle lighting and careful post-production were essential. The aim was not to sensationalise the condition or make the portraits feel clinical, but to create strong, human images that balanced visibility with dignity. Detail in the skin needed to be present and truthful, while the person in front of the camera always remained the focus.
My approach was calm, patient and unpressured. Some people were understandably nervous at first, while others arrived with a clear sense of why they wanted to take part. In every case, the priority was to make the process feel safe and respectful, giving each person time and space while producing portraits suitable for print, digital and exhibition use.
The resulting images will be shared during May, Ichthyosis Awareness Month, helping the ISG raise awareness of the condition and tell the stories of those living with it. A small selection of prints will also be displayed at the British Association of Dermatologists Annual Meeting in Manchester in June 2026.
I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the photoshoot, and especially the parents who brought their children along to be involved. I’m also grateful to Mandy Aldwin-Easton, the ISG staff and trustees for all their help and support in making the project come together. Both the ISG and I would like to acknowledge the British Association of Dermatologists for funding for the creation of this photographic project.
Lastly, I’d like to say what a privilege it was to be involved in this project and to meet so many people whose everyday experiences are often very different from most people’s. The courage, openness and warmth shown by everyone who took part made a lasting impression on me, and I hope the portraits help more people understand what ichthyosis is, and what it means to live with it every day.
For organisations, charities and healthcare groups, photography can play an important role in helping people feel seen. Projects like this need more than technical lighting and a camera; they need patience, empathy and a clear understanding of the responsibility that comes with photographing real people and real experiences.
As a Midlands based photographer working with charities, healthcare organisations, public sector bodies and awareness campaigns across the UK, this project reflects the type of work I value deeply: honest portrait photography that helps tell important human stories with dignity and care.