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Donna Ford - London Photographer

@donnafordography

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📸 Portraits, Unit Stills & Events
🤩 Experiences not just images
🎥 Short film in pre-production
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Read my best PORTRAIT tips👇

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📢 THEY’RE HERE!

My latest self-portraits. You all went mad for these last time so this time I’ve followed up with a little blog all about the process and and what these have taught me about how we see ourselves, practical tips for your photo session as well as mindset hacks that make all the difference.

The socially conditioned women in me is aware of the potential judgement of a blog full of photos of me. It’s a little uncomfortable. But that’s what we’ve been taught to believe so we stay quiet and don’t add to important conversations or stand up for what’s right.

https://www.donnaford.co.uk/news/what-self-portraits-taught-me

Anyway excited to share and even more excited to hear your thoughts on this one. Let me know on the blog or comment below. It felt really special to do for myself what I’ve done for 100s of others 🥰

Donna x taken in Sunset Studios by @donnafordography

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5 days ago

I like the play of semantics, and I’m always scrutinising whether the labels I give my work are actually working.

I’ve been doing Power Portraits for almost nine years. The name emerged when I saw first-hand how my sitters would reflect on the process, and how having a photograph you genuinely love of yourself can be a powerful asset in telling your story, putting yourself out there, and being seen.

But the word power... I often wonder whether we need any more of it in the world today, when we’re witnessing its destructive consequences.

And then I come back to this: power, in the right hands, can wield immeasurable good.

So I’m keeping the word.

POWER.

It’s a nuanced strength. A confidence that creates trust. Self-trust.

Power can be quiet and intuitive. It grows through gentle knowing. Self-loyalty. That quiet inner voice that says: I know who I am.

So maybe the power I offer in these one-hour photo sessions is an inner power. Maybe it’s time for us to reclaim it.

The next studio sessions are Tuesday 6th October, with 10am and 11am currently available. My signature process is gentle, with lots of preparation beforehand. And after hundreds of portraits, I know how to make the hour feel surprisingly easy. 😉

Donna x

🔗 https://www.donnaford.co.uk/power-portraits

Sunset studios in Peckham studio location with natural flattering light, lots of backdrops (including this plaster wall) and privacy to make the space ours. It’s very versatile… taken in Sunset Studios by @donnafordography

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a month ago

✨ VERY excited to share the images I shot for the @shortstuff.film Issue 001 / Cover 1/April 2026

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love films and the creative process so collaborating with all this talent was a dream!

THE INTIMACY COORDINATOR is written, directed and stars Louisa Connolly-Burnham who plays Kate, ‘The Intimacy Coordinator’ tells the story of an intimacy coordinator with a sex addiction. As she crosses paths with actors Max and Ella (Kieron Moore, Sophie Simnett) and fellow addict Nigel (Alexander Arnold), she leaves chaos in her wake.

These are a few of my favourites. More to come soon! Big love especially to the fire and energy that is @nataliaalbinl and @molly_lipson1 (see final 📸).

Talent: @louisaconnollyburnham @kieronmoore @sophiesimnett @alex_arnold
Editorial Producers: @nataliaalbin| and @molly_lipson1
Creative Directors: @maria_majo_rubia and @indiasimone6
Photographer: @donnafordphotography
Gaffer and Lighting: @johnforddp
MUA: @emma_tam_mua@milliegraceeee
Production Assistant @juliablackjackson
BTS: @elenasm
Styling: @casa_agape, @1999estudio, @abl.estudio, @hugomatula, @minena_, @springtimewishes, @krystalpaniagua,
@axelarigato
Makeup sponsors: @meritbeauty taken in Crouch End, North London by @donnafordography

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6 months ago

Have you read the latest blog!? I think it’s one of my most honest and candid. I’m proud of this bit of writing and the self portraits that made it all come together.

💙 How do you get over the discomfort of looking at yourself?

🩵 How do you shift the energy of a dull portrait?

💙 What physical thing can you do straight away to get into the vibe?

🩵 What mindset work can really change the process into an enjoyable one?

💙 And most importantly - how do I get a portrait of myself that I like?

Why not have a five-minute Friday cuppa and have a read. ☕️ Comments and thoughts welcome - especially of your experience of a portrait or any questions you might have!

Donna x taken in Sunset Studios by @donnafordography

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2 days ago

Underexposed Beltane portrait on 20-year old 35mm film.

Donna x taken in Grove Park Nature Reserve by @donnafordography

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4 days ago

My weekend capturing two amazing documentaries at the Soho Hotel. A room of filmmakers is a formidable environment. Storytellers and artists weaving conversations and celebrating that these films got made! 👏 One of them spanned 50 years of filming and the other a women’s life hanging in the balance under Iranian law. Always a joy to listen to directors talk about the process from the edit to camera choices.

Donna x taken in Soho Hotel by @donnafordography

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6 days ago

The BFI London Film Festival is here! So many great reviews coming in already! Excited about @elsinoremovie and @wickermovie.

Here’s a throwback to last year where I was so lucky to snap a couple of red carpet premieres. This year I’m covering some more indie films, going to a @femalefilmclub event next week and shooting a music video today in a Forest!!! Being part of this industry of exquisite storytellers is always such a joy and privilege. I’ll share as soon as I can! 👀

Donna x

#filmpremieres #filmevents #unitstillslondon #unitstillsphotographer #bfifilmfestival by @donnafordography

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8 days ago

Snapped these at a magnificent breakfast at @ochre.london and wanted to share the morning stillness baked in sublime light.

Donna x taken in National Gallery by @donnafordography

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10 days ago

Just some recent portraits for a company that want their personality to shine. This is how we do team shots ✨

Donna x taken in Holborn Central London by @donnafordography

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11 days ago

Your mother did not scream you into this world so you could stay silent. @salmaelwardany

Been thinking on this a lot recently and being having very coincidental conversations revolving around grief, feminine rage and even ‘keening’ (an Irish grieving tradition that is gaining a lot of research at the moment). Interesting stuff. I think we can all resonate with the idea of screaming sometimes even if we can’t articulate why. And yes I’m planning a project on this very theme…

This epic shot was the climax in an editorial called No Rain No Flowers and I remember this moment so clearly. It felt so primal and honest. Swipe for BTS.

Donna x

Photography/creative direction - @donnafordography
Model - @foxeyhardman
HMUA - @katiekingmakeup
Stylist - @flower.in.the.city
Camera assistant extraordinaire - @thewisdomwench
Dreamy Location - @threesistersldn
Camera - @leicauk by @donnafordography

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12 days ago

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19 days ago

I used to think I’d love to be on stage with this kind of confidence and be able to command an audience and deliver words of wisdom. But I’m not a wordsmith. Since a young child I’ve always been interested in the visuals and how they’re telling the story. So I think I’ll stick to that! 😂

In the past week I’ve been at the Italian Embassy, the Marriot Grosvenor House in Park Lane and the National gallery. Shooting events is such a privilege, being invited into room and worlds you normally wouldn’t see.

You can book me for a full day awards ceremony or a one hour party. Just get in touch and we can chat.

https://www.donnaford.co.uk/events

If I’m slow to respond it’s cause I’m doing a little decorating at home. But I’ll reply as soon as I can.

Donna x by @donnafordography

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24 days ago