Behind the Lens: My First Feature in Camberwell Quarterly

Exciting News!
A couple of my photographs have been featured in the latest issue of Camberwell Quarterly! As a photographer, this is a huge milestone for me. Seeing my work published in the magazine, even digitally, felt incredibly rewarding. There's also going to be a physical edition, and I can’t wait to grab a copy to share with friends, family, and future clients.

How It All Began
My journey with Camberwell Quarterly started with a leap of faith: cold-emailing organizations to offer my photography services, hoping to support local charities while building my portfolio. One of those emails went to SE5 Forum. After waiting for a few days without a reply, I decided to take a proactive approach. I visited their market stall on a Saturday, introduced myself, and handed my business card to Sophy, one of the members there, showcasing my website. Sophy mentioned that they’d keep me in mind for future photography opportunities.
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A few weeks later, I got an email from Sophy with a new assignment: photographing a Mulberry workshop where volunteers were clearing dead leaves and branches to support the growth of the Mulberry tree in the area. I felt both nervous and excited—emotions that often blur together for me. I was determined to do my best.
At the event, I captured a mix of candid moments, close-ups of the Mulberry tree, and a group shot to highlight the spirit of the workshop. The event was a success, and the editor of Camberwell Quarterly, Marie Stranton, loved the photos. She invited me to an editorial meeting, marking the start of my journey as a volunteer photographer for the magazine, covering nature, events, and editorial stories. It’s been a fantastic experience so far.

​Capturing the Beekeeper
One of my recent assignments for Camberwell Quarterly was to photograph a beekeeper named Odira. I met Marie at St Giles Church, where we were introduced to Odira, and I found it fascinating that someone could maintain a beekeeping setup in the heart of London, especially near a historic church. It was something I’d normally expect to see on a farm, not in an urban setting.
We headed to the small apiary, where rows of bee boxes housed a quiet colony, made calmer by the cool weather. Thankfully, the bees were less active, reducing my fear of being stung—though I imagined that getting stung would at least make for a memorable photography story!
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During the shoot, I focused on capturing Odira in his beekeeping suit, preparing equipment like the smoker used to calm the bees. I also took a shot of him extracting a honeycomb tray and a wide shot to showcase the space he worked in. Once home, I edited the photos in Lightroom using a preset my friend Andrew and I developed for our business, Arkara, called the “Arkara Methodology.” This preset emphasizes the subject while subtly reducing background distractions, making it ideal for portraits and group shots.
When I sent the final images to Marie, she was thrilled, and so was I! My personal favourite was a shot of Odira igniting the smoker, with flames dramatically bursting from it—a shot I imagined gracing the cover. Although a different photo made the final cover, I was still proud to see my work in print.

Conclusion:
Overall, I’m ecstatic about the magazine feature and the opportunity to highlight Odira’s work. He deserved the recognition, and I hope the magazine reaches as many readers as possible, raising awareness of his incredible beekeeping efforts in London.