Hannah Gimblett | UK
Hannah is a 31-year-old photographer from the UK. While her work currently focuses on the delicate beauty of botanicals, she also loves to shoot music and portraiture photography.
Her connection with photography is inspiring. Despite facing health challenges, which have resulted in Hannah being bed-bound for the past five and a half years, she is more determined than ever to keep pursuing photography in every way possible.
Right now, Hannah is channeling her creativity into a series of zines titled Bedside Botanicals, a project that highlights what can be possible with creativity, even within challenging circumstances.
What inspired you to pick up a camera for the first time, and who or what shaped your learning journey?
Photography became a part of my life at a very young age. My wonderful Mum gave me a Barbie 35mm camera for my 6th birthday and it truly was the most perfect gift. To have the opportunity to create in a different way has always been something my Mum and I have done together.
As a child, my Mum would always be the one with a camera, whether that be her Canon Sure Shot 35mm or a Polaroid, they captured such precious childhood memories.
From that initial experience with photography and the deep connection I have with film, I am continually inspired to pick up a camera to attempt to capture those beautiful moments.
What subjects or themes do you feel most drawn to photograph, and what sparks that connection for you?
The subjects I’m most drawn to are mainly surrounding people and botanicals. For the past five years, I have been completely bed-bound due to the added complexities of my chronic conditions. Hence, I have had to pivot and adapt my photography to my restrictions significantly. This has pulled my creativity into a different direction in the world of botanicals.
Over the past few years, I have placed a lot of focus and intention on photographing and creating with locally grown flowers, there is something wonderful about attempting to capture the beauty of a flower grown from seed only down the road.
I have also been increasingly inspired by books from the greats more focused on portraiture. I’m very drawn to building that connection with the subject to enable the photographer to capture their authentic self.
What are your current goals or long-term dreams for your photography?
I am making more of a conscious effort to write about my dreams and plans for my photography and my life overall recently. I think it makes an impact to manifest and put your dreams out there into the world.
My creative dreams for 2025 are firstly, to finish my Bedside Botanicals zine and release that into the world with some limited edition prints, with the hopes of arranging an accompanying local exhibition later in the year.
Another huge dream for the next 12 months is to restart the music print publication I created called Exeter Uncovered. Back in 2019, I published three issues followed by a range of online virtual events and interviews. It is the perfect amalgamation of my passions - photography, music and journalism. Unfortunately, my health and various physical restrictions brought that to a halt. I’m praying that I can find the right rehabilitation to enable me to restart this publication next year, that would be wonderful.
I have a couple of long-term portrait projects I would also love to develop, connecting my life of chronic illness and my love of botanicals. There is a world of possibilities, the massive restriction for me at present is my health.
What message do you hope to convey through your photography to other female photographers?
That anything is possible. Even in the most challenging of times that life throws our way and in the truest depths of despair (creatively, emotionally and in every sense), there is always a glimmer of hope, it can at times appear to be hidden.
I continue to hold on tightly to my photography, it is always what I’m most drawn to and as an outlet and where my passion pulls me. For the other photographers out there, always hold onto hope - and the focus that no matter your restrictions in life you can create and express yourself in any area of this wonderful artistic medium.
Who are some photographers or artists that inspire your work, and what have you learned from them?
Elliott Erwitt’s work continues to resonate greatly with me. My Mum bought me his book ‘Found, But Not Lost’ this week. It’s a brilliant exploration of his unseen work from previous years. It is such a gritty and impactful series and it has given me a great boost of inspiration.
Vivien Maier is another inspirational photographer with such an interesting look at the world at the time. The way her story and work came out to the world was fascinating.
If you could photograph anything or anyone in the world, what would it be and why?
That’s quite a difficult one, as there is a world of possibilities. I would absolutely love to dedicate time to capturing more photos of my dearest family, the Gimblett gang is made up of truly amazing individuals and to capture their character in a photograph would be fabulous.
Various project ideas pull me towards capturing fellow creatives. I am fascinated by passionate individuals, the artists whose eyes light up when discussing their craft. Two people who continue to spark interest in me are Hayley Williams and Jenna McDougall. I discovered Paramore through a perfect mix CD from a brilliant nurse when I was 16 and in hospital for a year. From following Hayley’s musical work over the past 15 years, doing a photoshoot with her would be remarkable.
To work with Jenna McDougall (Tonight Alive, Hevenshe) would also be incredible, I found her music when I was 17 and her recent musical releases in the form of Hevenshe has been a powerful listen which continues to hold an awful lot of resonance. I am particularly drawn to working with and photographing exceptional and powerful women who are unapologetically themselves and blaze their unique way forward in life and art.
My aim for my future portrait work is to develop meaningful projects and to work on capturing the true authentic character I am blessed to have in front of my lens.
A random aside, the place I most dream of photographing is Iceland and the magnificent Northern Lights, it looks like a magical thing to experience.
What has been your proudest moment or achievement as a photographer so far?
My proudest photographic achievement to date is my solo botanical exhibition in Exeter, in 2022. I worked with local flower growers to deliver a range of stunning spring and summer blooms so I could capture their beauty from my bedside setup.
Thanks to Neale James from The Photowalk podcast I was connected to master specialist printer, Mike Crawford from Lighthouse Darkroom. He has changed the way my work has been printed, which I very much hope to continue with my future projects.
