Idris Elba to Judi Dench: young photographers shoot their idols – in pictures
The Wembley to Soweto Foundation helps disadvantaged young photographers reach their potential. At last year’s World Cup in Brazil, former trainees from Soweto and London’s East End went to the favelas and taught young Brazilian kids the art of photography. Now, they’ve returned to London and taken portraits of their heroes for a new show
• W2S 2 WC2 is at the Hospital Club, London, from 20-24 August 2015
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Idris Elba photographed by Thapelo Motsumi
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Thapelo Motsumi:‘Being introduced to photography has transformed my thinking. I think positively about my community now, and document the strengths of the people and how they use education to better their lives. The Wembley to Soweto course meant a lot to us as young South Africans during the World Cup – because most young people felt it was not for Africa, but a FIFA event.’
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Judi Dench photographed by Kasey Newton.
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Kasey Newton lives in the East End of London with her mother. She applied to join the W2S Foundation’s London Olympic Course when she was 17. She had always been interested in photography but had no formal training prior to joining Wembley to Soweto. She trained with professional photographer John Cole for five weeks documenting the impact of the 2012 Olympic Games on London, and has worked with the charity since.
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Game of Thrones actor Michelle Fairley photographed by Joel Faddy
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Joel Faddy grew up in Gateshead with his dad. He discovered photography was a way to spend quality father and son time, but lacked confidence in his own ability. He joined the W2S course at Newcastle United in 2011. He says, ‘It was the first time I felt part of something.’ He continued to collaborate with the foundation and joined the Olympic Course in 2012. He has taken portraits of celebrities and government ministers whilst also building his own portfolio
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Bill Nighy photographed by Shoneez Cassim
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Shoneez Cassim lives in El Dorado, Johannesburg. She started training with Wembley to Soweto when she was 19. After the course she flew to London for a Wembley to Soweto event and later photographed Bill Nighy. After returning to South Africa, she was awarded a place at the University of Johannesburg to study child pyschology.
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Alan Rickman photographed by Patience Ndhlovu
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Patience was 16 and at Zifuneleni Junior Secondary School in Soweto when she started her training. She had only occasionally used a disposable camera before. ‘I’ve learnt so many things and my experiences have been extraordinarily incredible – and fun! And to top it off, we were taught by the kindest people in the world.’
