When I first started swimming, I didn’t take my camera, but I soon realized there was a story to be told and now I won’t be without it.
Millennium
Fiona, thank you so much for being here and talking with Millennium images. Congratulations for your images of “Coming Home” being part of the 100 finalists being exhibited at the “Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize”. Can you tell us a little bit more about your project?
Fiona Bailey
Thank you, it is lovely to talk to you and chat about my project which started just before lockdown.
The Global Pandemic inspired people like myself to experiment with life in different ways and, for me, one of those ways was to take to the freezing waters of the ponds on Hampstead Heath. ‘Coming Home’ documents my relationship with cold water swimming and my connection with the women that share this experience with me.
For me, heading to the ponds on a freezing winter’s morning has become a ritual that I eagerly await. I walk in darkness along treelined paths towards the women’s pond, wrapped up against the cold air but eager to step into the icy water and challenge my body to show me its strength and resilience. What used to be fear is now a longing to feel the freezing temperatures surround me.
Millennium
Is there a meaning behind your portraits? What do you want the viewer to take from the imagery?
Fiona Bailey
The project documents my relationship with the cold water swimming, and my connection with the women that I go with.
I hope the viewer will recognize the strength and resilience of all the women I photograph and also see exhilaration and a connection to life. There’s a feeling of perfect joy when swimming and it compels us to keep going back again and again.
Millennium
Did your interest to photograph them come naturally? How did you decide – I’m going to bring a camera here -, was it because you already knew that you wanted to portray that strength and community?
Fiona Bailey
When I first started swimming, I didn’t take my camera, but I soon realized there was a story to be told and now I won’t be without it. The project is still ongoing and I look forward to seeing where documenting these women takes me this winter.
Millennium
And why did you decide to apply to the prize? Because I feel that sometimes photographers are like, ‘Oh no, maybe my images are not good enough, or I don’t know what they’re looking for’. What was your motivation?
Fiona Bailey
There are lots of photographic competitions out there, but I would say that ‘The Taylor Wessing’ is up there amongst the most prestigious. I had a real sense that my images were strong and powerful portraits, as did the women I had photographed. There was nothing to lose, so I entered them and am very proud to have been selected for the final exhibition and be amongst other very talented photographers.
Millennium
So how do you feel about it? Have you been to the exhibition? How does it feel?
Fiona Bailey
I have been to the exhibition so many times now, I’ve lost count. Every time I go I feel so happy and proud to have been selected amongst thousands of entries. The exhibition is on until the 18th December at Cromwell Place, as the National Portrait Gallery is close for refurbishment. I’m planning one more visit.
Millennium
Some of our readers are really wondering what type of equipment you use, what camera you used?
Fiona Bailey
I use film and I especially like Kodak porta 400. My camera is a Mamiya 7, with an 80 mm lens. There’s something very exciting about using analogue, waiting for your film to come back is always very exciting.
Millennium
Does that change the way you’re photographing them? Would it change if you were using digital?
Fiona Bailey
Absolutely. I have a digital camera and find that there is a temptation to just keep taking, taking and taking. I like to think more and take less, a necessity really, as film and processing is expensive. I also like the unpredictability of film, it sometimes surprises you.
Millennium
Congratulations again. And what’s next for you? Are you planning to do something bigger with the project now that it has so much visibility?
Fiona Bailey
I’m very much enjoying the process of photographing this wonderful group of women and will see what images I have at the end of the winter. I’d like to produce a book; but will see where I get to in the coming months. Swimming has become a very important thing for me and by taking photographs I can express those feelings.. perhaps it’s not for everyone but I absolutely love it!
Fiona is a Millennium Images contributor and you can follow her on Instagram here.
