Carys Bulmer has been photographing since the age of 14, when photography was her tool for creativity. As time passed, passion for creating snapshots of life, rather than the art photography she began with, urged her to pursue a focus on documentary and reportage photography, aiming to give insight to those suffering as a result of modern issues within the UK and beyond.
Originating in a largely conservative, middle class area in Yorkshire, Carys was armed upon her 2013 arrival in London with perspectives different from her own liberal outlooks, thus, allowing her work to cater to a wider audience. Carys gains inspiration from her empathy toward those who lay on the fringes of society, using photography as the visual tool to explore her passion and curiosity for social and political affairs.
Recent completion of a Ba (Hons) Documentary Photography and Photojournalism degree saw her achieve a First Class Honours result of 93%. During her time studying at the University of the Arts London she focused her documentary projects on religion, the homeless and hungry, gay rights movements and ex-offenders. At the age of 20, Carys interacted with and photographed inmates inside prisons HMP Wormwood Scrubs and HMP Pentonville. And is now working toward a major project in issues for British ex-offending females.
Aside from her muse of reportage photography and long-term documentary projects Carys is currently developing her style in her roots of art photography and the abstract. Event photography is something she also endeavours to experience and has been working in events since her late teens. Both styles are newly featured on her website.
Projects
- I am _This is a series of portraits and stories from women who spent time incarcerated. Women who bravely stepped out of prisons and made themselves new lives, they were the ones who beat the system. I asked each woman to fill in the blank "I am ___", with something positive about their character, or who they are. In the UK, women make up just 5% of prisoners, although that figure is on the rise. So, for this project I felt it was mandatory that they should be represented. Within 5 years of release,
Work history
Set Photographer
- Freelance
Shooting for Glam Guru Ltd, a new start up based in Central London. Types of photography include lifestyle, street, documentary and commercial.
At the moment exclusivity in in place!
Photography Practitioner NCS with The Challenge
- Croydon, United KingdomFreelance
Carys worked as a photography practitioner for NCS - The Challenge (National Citizen Service). A government funded programme which aims to increase and encourage life skills of 15-17 year olds across the UK. This is done by running summer and autumn programmes in a range of places.
Carys worked in Croydon College with 16 and 17 year olds, teaching them the basic skills of photography, before completing a group community project. Kelvin Grove and Eliot Bank Children's Centre was the centre of the project, where Carys encouraged the young people to interact with service users, and document their time there.
Carys ensures a friendly, engaging classroom, allowing students to realise their potential. Each and every one of the young people Carys personally worked with had a lot to offer and all had varying potential. Carys scored 4.5 out of 5 on feedback questionnaires with no negative comments. Carys controlled any negative overt behaviour, keeping the young people attentive and asking lots of questions, setting out lessons to ensure plenty of breaks and games or practical work to keep enwrgies up.
Carys' ethos is that of trust until it is broken and to provide second chances.l and further support for those in need. Believing in positivity and encouragement. This work inspired her to continue teaching, and Carys plans to make this a permanent feature in years to come.
DBS qualified.
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Skills
- 10. Indesign
- Digital Photograhy
- Adobe Lightroom
- Photography Portraiture
- Leadership
- Time Management
- Public Speaking
- Journalism
Education
BA(Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary PhotographyUniversity of The Arts London (UAL)
- London, United Kingdom
Left university with a First Class Honours (93% result). Here I focussed on photographing those who lay on the outskirts of society, drag, homeless, hungry, offenders, LGBTQ+ community etc.