As a documentary photographer, Chanel’s practice seeks to portray the power of human initiative, connection and contribution. Inspired by the importance of constructive, solution-based journalism, she embraces visual communication that empowers readers and subjects alike. Her stories often focus on livelihoods, environments and communities that are susceptible to change based on emerging trends, development demands and environmental pressures. Aware of the multitude of sustainability issues they face, she is particularly interested in the people and organisations who are working to make a positive environmental and social impact in their communities.
Using a retrospective lens, Chanel’s more personal work similarly reflects this tension between preservation and change. With an eye for moments she deems timeless, her observations consistently focus on scenes that are reminiscent of older, simpler times, which persist seemingly unaffected by the advancements that otherwise transform the world we live in. As a result, her photographs accentuate the “ordinary” - reasserting its importance as a photographic subject and highlighting the beauty that can constantly be rediscovered in the everyday.
Chanel is based in London and completed an MA at the Spéos Photographic Institute following a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the Australian National University. She is available for commissioned work and collaborations.
Contact details here.
Her personal work is licensed by KINTZING and Millennium Images.
“There is a sense of serenity in her 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.”
Online Features: Then There Was Us, Unveil’d, Positive Magazine, Ain’t Bad, Lodestars Anthology, Culture Trip, Of The Land and Us, Analog Magazine, Dodho (Time and Tide), Dodho (On the Farm), F-Stop Magazine, Musée Magazine, SUITCASE Magazine, Photograd, ReadSyndrome, Analog Forever.
Published: SUITCASE Magazine, Lodestars Anthology, AND2021 by Then There Was Us, ‘Field Notes’ Zine series published by Another Place Press, Stories Journal 2021, BJP Portrait of Britain 2020, GUP Magazine ‘Fresh Eyes’ 2020, WUNDER, Photograd.\
Photobook ‘An English Summer’ published by Hoxton Mini Press - featured on The Times, The Guardian, BBC, The Face and reviewed by The Telegraph, Hackney Citizen, Elephant Magazine and Waitrose Weekend. See more here.
Awards: Photo Collective Stories Award 2021 (Shortlisted), IPA 2020 Editorial/Environmental Category (Honourable Mention), Australian Photography Awards 2020 (Finalist), HeadOn Photography Awards 2020 (Semi-finalist), Australian Photography Awards 2019 (Shortlisted).
Exhibitions:
‘Control’, Format Festival, virtual exhibition for #massisolationFORMAT by New Art City, March 2021
‘Transformation,’ Photo Israel International Photography Festival, Tel Aviv - November 2020
Fresh Eyes Photo Fair, Westergas, Amsterdam - September 2020
Postcards from Great Britain, Hotel Lion D’or, Haarlem - March 2020 (with pop-ups around Europe)
Featureshoot x Print Swap, The Foley Gallery, New York - March 2020
Foto Femme United Group Show, Spéos Gallery, Paris - February 2020
Graduate Show, Spéos Gallery, Paris - May 2019
All work is dedicated to Harriet Nixon, a once-in-a-lifetime friend and lifelong inspiration.