Chanel is a South-African-Australian documentary and portrait photographer based in the UK. Her work explores the tension between preservation and change and celebrates the timeless relationship between people and place.
Chanel is fascinated by heritage and traditional practices that withstand the influence of emerging trends. She cares deeply for adored landscapes that face the imminent threat of development pressures and climate change. As an avid observer, Chanel is equally fascinated by that which endures and those who adapt to change.
Inspired by the growth of constructive, solution-based journalism, Chanel is particularly interested in the role that human creativity, connection and contribution can play - as portrayed by the people who strive to make a positive environmental and social impact in their communities.
Using what she likes to call a ‘retrospective lens’, Chanel is consistently drawn scenes of nostalgia: ordinary moments and interactions that persist seemingly-unaffected by our otherwise transforming world.
Photo by Siân Davey.
Chanel is available for commissioned work and collaborations both in the UK and abroad. She completed a MA in Professional Photography at the Spéos Photographic Institute following a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the Australian National University. Chanel is also a qualified teacher.
Her personal work is licensed by KINTZING and Millennium Images.
Contact details here.
EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS
2025 ThisHouse Summer Show, Nailsworth UK
Joan Wakelin Bursary Award, Royal Photographic Society x The Guardian (Shortlisted)
Cluster Photography & Print Fair, London UK
2021 ‘Control’ Format Festival virtual exhibition for #massisolationFORMAT by New Art City
Photo Collective Stories Award (Shortlisted)
2020 Fresh Eyes Photo Fair, Westergas, Amsterdam
Postcards from Great Britain, Hotel Lion D’or, Haarlem
Feature Shoot x Print Swap, The Foley Gallery, New York
Foto Femme United Group Show, Spéos Gallery, Paris
Portrait of Britain x British Journal of Photography (Shortlisted)
IPA Editorial/Environmental Category (Honourable Mention)
Australian Photography Awards (Finalist)
Head-On Photography Awards (Semi-finalist)
2019 Graduate Show, Spéos Gallery, Paris
Australian Photography Awards (Shortlisted)
PUBLICATIONS
2026 ‘An Opinionated Guide to London Fashion’ published by Hoxton Mini Press
2025 ‘An Opinionated Guide to London Markets’ published by Hoxton Mini Press
2024 Goodwood Magazine - Summer Issue
2022 ‘An English Summer’ (Monograph) published by Hoxton Mini Press
‘On the Farm’ - Field Notes zine series published by Another Place Press
2021 SUITCASE Magazine - Volume 34: Revival
AND2021 - Then There Was Us
2020 SUITCASE Magazine - Volume 32: Homegrown
‘Portrait of Britain’ by British Journal of Photography & Hoxton Mini Press
Lodestars Anthology - Issue 15: Greece
‘Fresh Eyes’ by GUP Magazine
WUNDER Journal II: Lieblingsmenschen
INTERVIEWS & FEATURES
Far Out ‘Warmth and Nostalgia: the beauty of an English summer through the lens of Chanel Irvine’
The Times ‘What does an English Summer look like?’
The Guardian ‘Listless nights and warm beer: Chanel Irvine’s portraits of English summertime’
BBC ‘Beaches and landscapes of an English summer’
The Face ‘10 books to deep dive into this summer’
Elephant Magazine ‘Journey from the Heart of the Congo to the Set of The Shining with July’s Art Books’
Hackney Citizen ‘An English Summer, Chanel Irvine, book review: ‘Photos laced with nostalgic detail’
Unveil’d ‘Chanel Irvine Captures the Simple Joys of Another English Summer’
SUITCASE Magazine ‘A Kingdom United: Hopes for an English Summer’
Positive Magazine ‘On the farm – a project by Chanel Irvine’
Musée Magazine ‘Photo Journal Monday: Chanel Irvine’
Lodestars Anthology ‘The Summer of 2020’
Culture Trip ‘Life’s a Beach: How Brits Are Rediscovery the Joys of the Seaside’
Ain’t Bad ‘Chanel Irvine’
“There is a sense of serenity in Chanel’s works that immediately characterises her style. It is a calmness and lightness you can’t quite put your finger on, but remain in awe of. Her photographs accentuate the ‘ordinary’- reasserting its importance as a photographic subject and showcasing the beauty that can constantly be rediscovered in the everyday.”
All work is dedicated to Harriet Nixon, a once-in-a-lifetime friend and lifelong inspiration.