Looking for something?

Tap outside or press close

InspirationPhotography

Photographer Charlie Clift urges creatives to give back in new campaign with London homeless charity

"Give a photo, don’t take it". That was the aim of the photographer Charlie Clift and a team of creatives after volunteering at The Passage – a homeless charity in London.

Written By:
All images courtesy of the artist. Via Creative Boom submission.

All images courtesy of the artist. Via Creative Boom submission.

They were inspired by Help Portrait, a global movement encouraging photographers, producers, filmmakers, stylists and makeup artists to come together and give something back.

For two years running, the team had made a studio in the basement of The Passage to photograph some of the people it supports. “They have both been fantastic days,” says Charlie, “we have danced to hip-hop, sang to Elvis, heard some fascinating life stories and created images that everyone has loved. It’s rewarding using your skills to put smiles on the faces of those less fortunate.

"All of the people photographed had time to enjoy the experience and make the most of it - someone to do their makeup, a stylist to create their outfit, and then a complete studio with lights, cameras, music and action. At the end of the day, they could each leave with some beautiful prints of themselves and many good memories."

The Passage does important work in supporting those who are homeless or vulnerable. If you would like to donate or find out more about their work, head over to www.passage.org.uk.

Woman wearing a red headwrap and patterned navy cardigan with red beaded necklace, smiling at the camera against a pale blue background
Person wearing oversized black blazer with white cuffed sleeves and gold-rimmed round sunglasses against a dark background
Man wearing dark jacket and baseball cap pointing at camera in black and white portrait photograph
Older man wearing glasses and a dark suit gestures expressively with both hands while smiling against a black background
Portrait of a person with short hair wearing a striped shirt and triangle earring, lit with red and blue stage lighting against a dark background
Black and white studio portrait of a woman with short dark hair, wearing a striped garment and silver earrings, smiling at the camera
Person smiling at the camera wearing a black blazer, patterned scarf and white shirt, photographed against a dark background
A person wearing a burgundy head wrap and gold hoop earrings smiles with eyes closed, photographed as part of Charlie Clift's portrait project with The Passage homeless charity
Share

Further Reading