Before I self-published my first photobook “One Way Ticket to India”, I spent a lot of time practicing my photography skills by taking pictures of people on Brick Lane.
I would visit Brick Lane nearly every Sunday for two years, from 2014 to 2015.
Many of the people I photographed were strangers at first, but over time, most of them became friends because they were regular visitors, just like me. As a result, I became a part of the Brick Lane community.
In my late 20s, London often felt like a place for just work work work. I didn’t think I had many friends outside of my rap collective, Jungle Brown, especially in East London where I lived. However, Brick Lane and Run Dem Crew (a running collective) gave me hope that there’s more to life in the city than just pursuing success.
For me, the camera became a weapon of connection.
I found it fascinating how capturing a moment in a photograph allowed me to connect with people, exchange contacts, and become friends on Facebook. It was rewarding to see them using my portraits as their profile pictures.
I encountered people from all walks of life on Brick Lane, each with their reasons for being there. One of the most interesting aspects was that the first person I connected with on Brick Lane, who introduced me to many of the other regulars, was homeless.
People could be going through the most challenging situations, but being part of a great community can often help us get through anything.
For me and many others, Brick Lane was exactly that.
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Sundays On Brick Lane - is available to buy here.