Brits Abroad explores the lives of people living in another country and culture

London-based photographer Charlie Clift has created Brits Abroad, an ongoing project that aims to explore the lives of people living in another country and a new culture.

All images courtesy of Charlie Clift. Via Creative Boom submission.

All images courtesy of Charlie Clift. Via Creative Boom submission.

"Immigrants are so often spoken about in terms of statistics or stereotypes. I want people to understand the variety within a group and show how different each person can be," Clift explained. "Over five million British people live outside of the UK with almost 2,000 of us moving abroad each week. I thought it would be interesting not to focus on immigrants into the UK in the way that much of the British media does, but to look the other way and focus on British people who are immigrants themselves in other countries."

So far Clift has travelled to Spain where over 700,000 British expatriates reside and photographed a variety of people living near the Mediterranean coast. According to Clift, some could not speak Spanish and hardly integrated with the locals whilst others had married Spanish people and educated their children in local schools.

He added: "I found a common thread of 'Britishness' running through each and every one of my subjects, but beyond that, they varied hugely. I hope to expand the project to include further countries, and I am currently looking for funding to help with this."

Charlie Clift is an editorial and commercial photographer based in London. His clients include Action for Children, The Sunday Times, Help for Heroes and Crew Clothing. You can view his professional portfolio on his website: www.charliecliftphotography.com.

Main image: Carole regularly plays bowls at the Javea Green Bowls Club which consists almost entirely of British members. She loves living in Spain and doesn’t want to move but is frustrated that she can no longer vote in British parliamentary elections.

Linda works cleaning holiday villas to pay her bills and rent. She likes being able to have an outdoor life 8-9 months of the year but misses being able to watch her grandchildren grow up in England.

Linda works cleaning holiday villas to pay her bills and rent. She likes being able to have an outdoor life 8-9 months of the year but misses being able to watch her grandchildren grow up in England.

Paul runs an english language newspaper called The Courier from an office in Torrevieja. He moved to Spain to escape the busy life he had in London working for News International.

Paul runs an english language newspaper called The Courier from an office in Torrevieja. He moved to Spain to escape the busy life he had in London working for News International.

Francesca was born in Spain and is schooled in the Spanish education system; she is also a British citizen. She enjoys chocolate ice-lollies from the Iceland store that her mother occasionally visits to purchase British goods.

Francesca was born in Spain and is schooled in the Spanish education system; she is also a British citizen. She enjoys chocolate ice-lollies from the Iceland store that her mother occasionally visits to purchase British goods.

Lorna is a retired teacher who moved to Spain with her husband David. She likes to relax in the afternoon shade with a glass of wine and enjoys socialising with their Spanish neighbours.

Lorna is a retired teacher who moved to Spain with her husband David. She likes to relax in the afternoon shade with a glass of wine and enjoys socialising with their Spanish neighbours.

Joyti lives and works in a community project in the desert named Sunseed Desert Technology. She enjoys being able to live a sustainable life and teaching others about personal responsibility.

Joyti lives and works in a community project in the desert named Sunseed Desert Technology. She enjoys being able to live a sustainable life and teaching others about personal responsibility.

Ed organises his father’s company to keep it running smoothly whilst being a stay at home dad. He enjoys windsurfing and the beach life.

Ed organises his father’s company to keep it running smoothly whilst being a stay at home dad. He enjoys windsurfing and the beach life.

Simon owns a Caribbean themed bar on Fuengirola beachfront and enjoys the relaxed lifestyle of the area. He moved to Spain for medical reasons because the warm climate helps alleviate his arthritis.

Simon owns a Caribbean themed bar on Fuengirola beachfront and enjoys the relaxed lifestyle of the area. He moved to Spain for medical reasons because the warm climate helps alleviate his arthritis.

Hazel is studying at The British School of Alicante and lives with her mother. She hopes to go to university in Spain.

Hazel is studying at The British School of Alicante and lives with her mother. She hopes to go to university in Spain.

Reggie works at an English language newspaper that her husband owns. She likes the Spanish pace of life but has not learnt to speak the language and thus struggles to integrate with locals.

Reggie works at an English language newspaper that her husband owns. She likes the Spanish pace of life but has not learnt to speak the language and thus struggles to integrate with locals.

Lisa works advising new expatriates on the best ways to make a life in her area of Spain. She often works in an air conditioned office in her garden from which she can watch her children play in the pool.

Lisa works advising new expatriates on the best ways to make a life in her area of Spain. She often works in an air conditioned office in her garden from which she can watch her children play in the pool.

David is a sculptor who works in his home in the mountains. He moved to Spain 46 years ago after learning to speak Spanish on a long motorcycle trip through South America.

David is a sculptor who works in his home in the mountains. He moved to Spain 46 years ago after learning to speak Spanish on a long motorcycle trip through South America.

Sean runs a traditional British fish and chip shop by the beach in Fuengirola. The vast majority of his customers are British holiday makers or expatriates and he serves chips made from imported British Maris Piper potatoes.

Sean runs a traditional British fish and chip shop by the beach in Fuengirola. The vast majority of his customers are British holiday makers or expatriates and he serves chips made from imported British Maris Piper potatoes.

Ken owns a British style pub called The Old Tavern in Marbella. He is a keen football fan and runs the International Supporters Club of Malaga FC from his bar.

Ken owns a British style pub called The Old Tavern in Marbella. He is a keen football fan and runs the International Supporters Club of Malaga FC from his bar.

Tony is a doctor who runs his own clinic in Marbella where the majority of his patients are english speaking. He is married to a Spanish lady and plays a lot of paddle tennis which is a game almost solely played in Spain.

Tony is a doctor who runs his own clinic in Marbella where the majority of his patients are english speaking. He is married to a Spanish lady and plays a lot of paddle tennis which is a game almost solely played in Spain.

Charlie is studying at The British School of Alicante. He loves drum and bass music and is a budding DJ.

Charlie is studying at The British School of Alicante. He loves drum and bass music and is a budding DJ.

Stacey runs a charity to care for and re-home unwanted dogs. Her house is full of donated goods to sell to raise money. In her spare time she plays darts in a local league and looks after her four cats.

Stacey runs a charity to care for and re-home unwanted dogs. Her house is full of donated goods to sell to raise money. In her spare time she plays darts in a local league and looks after her four cats.

David Salgo is a musician who retired to Spain. He enjoys living in a typical Spanish village and plays golf regularly with friends, many of whom are also expatriates.

David Salgo is a musician who retired to Spain. He enjoys living in a typical Spanish village and plays golf regularly with friends, many of whom are also expatriates.

Hugh is a retired banker who enjoys a slow life socialising with friends. He is passionate about bridge and plays two or three times a week at The Dutch Club.

Hugh is a retired banker who enjoys a slow life socialising with friends. He is passionate about bridge and plays two or three times a week at The Dutch Club.

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