Long walks and photography are the ultimate tonic for managing anxiety for Birmingham City University’s BA Photography student Josh Reilly. Currently working towards his all-important final major project and end of year submission, Josh’s work has taken a social documentary spin as he takes a mindful approach to documenting his emotions, which gradually changed from overwhelming and chaotic to peaceful and calm. He shares more about his work and how photography has helped him below…
Our emerging photographer series aims to shed a light on up-and-coming talent. Photographers are offered a platform to share their work with a wider audience through the AP channels, with the scope of furthering their careers. We also get an insight into their inspirations, the camera gear used and future aspirations, as well as the journey taken into photography – which doesn’t have to be the most traditional route!
We’ll be sharing the work of photographers on our website and social media and even in the magazine. If you have recently started your photography journey or are a student / graduate, share your work with us at [email protected]
When and why did you start taking photographs?
I started to make photographs when I was very young, around 10 or 11. The earliest memory I have of making a photograph was on a family holiday when I was around 9, I took a picture of my parents sitting together on a rock in the zoo. I asked for a camera for Christmas a couple of years later and used it mostly to take super shallow pictures of plants and insects. I just photographed what I liked. I also used to make urban portraits of my friends on our adventures as teenagers, so it’s quite different to now! I just made photographs because it was fun. Also, it was cool to say I had a camera in school…
Which genre do you tend to work in?
This is a tricky one because I’m not sure. I work across a variety of areas and labelling it as one genre is tricky. To be broad, I would call myself an outdoors photographer, as most of the work I make is made outside, out and about. I guess I’m a social documentary photographer, and I also enjoy shooting landscapes and environmental portraits. Tricky!
What draws you towards your favoured genre?
This is something that I would say is an ongoing investigation. In terms of the outdoor aspect of my practice, I simply do not enjoy being inside! I need regular doses of outside time, be it in parks, beaches, hills, or even just a stroll around the streets where I live, I find it so vital in managing my mental health and anxiety. I started this kind of work a few years ago and at the time I was beginning to appreciate the outdoors more, and I was also developing an eagerness to explore, so photographing the areas I was in was a way to document this.
I have learnt over the past few years just how much I appreciate seeing new places, so using my camera I can document these places as a way of keeping memories. I am also inherently curious, as anyone who has taught me can vouch for, I always have something to say and ask, so I turn my camera towards anything that interests me as a way of understanding myself and the world around me better.
Tell us a little bit more about your photographic training (if any)?
I have been studying photography for the best part of 5 years now, which is slightly scary. I studied A-Level Photography a few years back, but I did not have the best experience. Unfortunately, my lecturer at the time had to take a long absence for health reasons, and the replacement cover lecturers provided were not photography specialists, so learning was quite scattered for the first year of the course. This did improve in the second year, I got a B, but I was not ready for employment, and I was not sure what I wanted to do. No one in my family had been to university before, so I was not sure I could do it myself. Then I made one of the best decisions I have ever made by applying to Birmingham City University’s BA Photography Course.
The course is excellent. I am currently wrapping up my major project as I graduate in a few months, and I truly do not want to leave. The facilities,
support, and the freedom the course offers is one of a kind. The course has allowed me ample time, freedom and support to explore my photographic interests to the maximum, allowing me to leave with a clear style, direction, and knowledge that sets me up for a career perfectly.
Tell us more about your recent work?
My Major Project, “You Are Here” is a project about my mental health. Over the space of a month, I walked from my house to RSPB Sandwell Valley, a nature reserve in West Bromwich that I have memories of going to with my late Dad. I completed the 10 mile walk once a week for 4 weeks, and initially the focus was on the difference between slowing down and walking compared to driving and noticing things you would not notice ordinarily.
For some context, when we started brainstorming for this project late last year, I was about to turn 21 and all the talk was about graduating, and frankly this was terrifying. The thought of time coming and going in an instant was driving my anxiety crazy, and I felt overwhelmed and out of control. When this was happening, I became aware of this feeling I had, almost like I was not living. I felt like a passenger in my life, and I felt like I was living too fast to the point where I could not enjoy anything. I did not want to face these feelings, so I put this to one side and focused on the initial comparison between walking and driving, but I slowly realized that the work was never about cars, or even the journey.
The work I was making reflected what was going on in my head, and the edit of images I selected for the book I am making represents how the walk helped me in this time. The initial walk that I did mainly resulted in photographs that are scattered, cluttered, overwhelming, and grey, and gradually they transition to being calm, peaceful, colorful, and clear, showing the journey my mind has been on over the past month.
“You Are Here” is a mindful approach to documentary photography that highlights me learning how to clear my mind in a time of overwhelming anxiety.
What kind of reaction has it had?
The work is currently in its production phase. I have all the images, and now I am working on the sequence and design of the final book. Our deadline is fast approaching, so watch this space on that one! I have had very good feedback on the work up to this stage, but I would like to talk about the reaction I hope it will have.
The feeling of being a passenger in your life and struggling with anxiety is not something that is niche to just me. It affects everyone at some point. If you can recognize that you are dealing with it, that is a strength! I would encourage anyone who is struggling with that kind of thing to simply go outside, look around, and see what you can see. Be it the light falling on a flower, some shadows framing something, or a big splash of colour, just dedicate some time to being an observer, and you will be surprised by the effect it can have! If even one person can try this following my work, the project will be a success for me.
What has been your biggest photographic obstacle to date?
Probably being afraid. I am very avoidant of trying new things for fear of failure and fear of looking silly for not knowing how to do things. I tend to stick to what I know and what I think is comfortable, and that has really held me back in recent times.
For example, I am useless in a studio! It is important to have a working knowledge in a variety of areas, and this is probably where I fall short. I am getting better at coming out of my comfort zone, especially this year. For example, I forced myself to shoot more analogue photographs, and I loved it, and I wish I had done it sooner!
One thing I would advise people is to try anything you can and try not to let fear hold you back. I should probably practice what I preach though…
Who are your biggest influences?
I have loads! My favorite Photographer is Joel Sternfeld, particularly his work “American Prospects.” I am a huge fan of Alec Soth, and in fact his book “Sleeping by the Mississippi” was the initial visual inspiration for my Major Project. William Eggleston, Jon Tonks, Lewis Baltz, and Ansel Adams are all legends, and all made fantastic work that I am a huge fan of. I am a huge fan of John Boaz and his portraits.
Closer to me, Nick Priest, and Andy Pilsbury at BCU have been hugely helpful and both have greatly influenced my work. Lastly, Paul Sanders and his Book “Still, a mindful practice for photographers” was genuinely incredibly helpful for me in my Major Project and helped me look at my work in an entirely new way.
What equipment do you use?
I bought a Fujifilm X-T5 around this time last year and I love it. I love the dials; I think it makes it more interactive, and the colours and resolution are simply stunning, and it fits in my hand like a glove. I only own one camera myself; I am sure every university student understands, but finances can be limited, but I am incredibly happy with my Fuji. It has been all over the country and has served me well, even if it did take me some time to get used to it. I scratched it in the first week of having it. Should not have gotten silver…
What would be your dream equipment to work with?
Where do I start? I plan to continue this mindful approach to photography, and as part of that I would love a Ricoh to carry round daily. I love the Ricoh GR line cameras; I’ve shot a few images with one and it was great! I would love a medium format Hasselblad, again I’ve used one in a workshop and it is just so different, but so rewarding. Large format kind of intimidates me, but again it looks so interesting to learn. But most of all I think I would like a Fuji GFX. I’ve used one, and they are just mind-blowing.
What has been the highlight of your photography career so far?
This has to be up there! I had a few images published in Source Magazine which was amazing, especially when my copy turned up in the post! But it probably has to be exhibiting an Alumni Show at BCU before I had even graduated! Last year, I was chosen as one of 6 winners of the GRAIN Projects x BCU Alumni Open Call, a curated exhibition of 5 BCU Photography and Art Graduates, and me, a third-year student! The exhibition was in conjunction with their National Symposium, so the attention my work got was amazing. Huge thank you to Stephen and Nicola from Grain for that amazing opportunity.
What are your hopes for your photography career in the future?
This is an interesting one, and my answer will probably be different to most students, but my biggest hope is to teach! I currently teach photography for a few hours a week at my old college as an unqualified teacher, and after graduation I will be completing further teacher training. I want to give students the opportunity and the tools to express themselves through photography, and this is a career I already feel a deep sense of pride to do.
I also know myself, I know my own mind, and I know that a career in commercial photography is not for me. I know that I would not be able to handle the potential instability that comes with self-employment, and the pressure would get to me mentally if I had to rely on commissions for a living. I
suppose I would say my dream is to lead my own course, develop students into amazing photographers, and work on personal projects and small commissions where I want to.
What piece of advice would you give to other aspiring photographers?
Make what you want to make! The number one rule, I think. If you do not like your work, it shows. I read a book recently, and I can’t remember the exact passage, but one of the lessons in it was to make whatever kind of work you want to make, because ultimately there are billions of people in the world, so the chances of you being the only person who your work appeals to are extremely slim. There is an audience for whatever kind of work you want to make, essentially.
Take the time to explore yourself, your interests, your motivation, what you see, and how you feel about it, and stay connected to your emotions. But most importantly, lean into them, embrace them in your images, and the difference will astound you. Photography is feeling, and images that have feelings are instantly elevated over those that do not.
Have fun, make work that inspires you, and enjoy the process of doing so.
Instagram: @joshreillyphoto
www.joshuareillyphotography.com
Success stories
At the 2026 AP Awards, Nick Teo was announced as our Emerging Talent winner for this documentary-fashion work. Previous emerging photographer award winners include Ethan Parker, Aliz Kovacs-Zoldi and Tariq Sadu. Si Jubb and Ethan Parker recently spoke at our Festival of Photography: Documentary event.
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