'Labour of Love': Chorlton at Work

https://labouroflovechorlton.co.uk/

@labouroflovechorlton

My name is Jon Aspinall. I'm a Portrait Photographer currently living in the Whalley Range/Chorlton area.

Since May 2024 I have been connecting with people in the locale and creating professionally-lit portraits in the environment where they spend most of their time: WORK.

Having amassed over 30 of these Environmental/Editorial Portraits, I am currently in the process of re-engaging with the participants in order to furnish each image with its own detailed narrative based on both the business' and individual' journey. The project is an exploration of how the personal fits within the community at large: a study of the faces that make make the local economy tick.

This work is important to me because I feel everyone has a story to tell, and I believe I have the interpersonal and photographic skills necessary to allow these stories to unfold. The best connections happen before the camera comes out of its bag, but when it does it acts as a conduit for this unfolding.

My work is both engaging and objective, allowing the viewer access to the individual's world, through both composition and lighting. For this reason, I am not just asking for donations to get the project off the ground, I am inviting you on a visual journey to see familiar faces and recognisable locations in a different light.

I am long-term unemployed due to severe anxiety and depression, which is why I am asking for funding to help exhibit these images in a local space.

Exhibition dates*:

Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th May 2025, Chorlton Methodist Church (as part of Chorlton Arts Festival).

24th July-21st August 2025, The Carlton Club

[* possible mixed venues prior to these].

I have worked-out that I will need to raise somewhere in the region of £1,500 to cover costs of prints, frames, test prints, venue hire, refreshments for the opening and promotional material etc.

For this reason I am offering a free hour-long portrait session to any business or individual who donates £75 or more to the cause.

[1 hour shoot; up to ten fully-edited full resolution digital images; location of choice (e.g. family shoot)].

I would be exceedingly grateful if you could help me in this endeavour.

Thanking you in advance,

Jon