Charlotte Shearman Smith

My practice is an exploration of antiquarian photography, a journey into alternative photographic techniques that invites both tactile engagement and emotional connection. At the heart of my practice is the belief that these methods can create an intimate bond between the photographer, the medium, and the subject. By working with these time-honoured processes, I cultivate a deeper relationship with the images I create, overseeing each intricate step of the process. The slow, deliberate nature of early and alternative photography enables me to truly connect with my subjects, capturing not just an image, but a moment of profound understanding. Creating images that I feel hold emotion and calmness, allowing the viewer to behold the image in stillness and to feel its presence without the burden of interpretation.

“an emanation of the referent” Barthes, 1993

Drawing inspiration from 19th-century pre-Raphaelite photography, my work navigates both still life and portraiture, aiming to infuse each photograph with sensuality and delicacy, while maintaining a simplicity that evokes a quiet yet powerful vulnerability. Through the careful play of light and shadow, texture and form, I strive to express a raw, natural beauty that feels both timeless and immediate.

Focusing on the tactile qualities of skin, light, and touch, my work explores the delicate balance between fragility and strength. The ethereal atmosphere I create within my images fosters a space where the viewer can form their own emotional connection, allowing them to experience a quiet peace and tenderness in the face of the work.