These images were taken between June and August 2020. With school proms cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I photographed local teenagers dressed in outfits they would have worn to prom. Instead of being in the usual settings of school halls or hotel function rooms, I captured them in their gardens, backyards and local parks.

These young people are all aged between 15-19 years old. Many of them had their final exams cancelled and had nothing to mark this significant step in growing up and leaving school. The portraits were all taken locally in north London. They represent a loss and longing, but also celebrate each teenager as an individual, navigating this strange and challenging time.

The series consists of 44 portraits.

Three portraits from the series were awarded 1st Prize in the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2020.

The book ‘Lost Summer’ is available to order here