When it was announced in May 2022 that Bradford was to be City of Culture 2025, members of the Yorkshire Region of the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) decided to celebrate this using photography. Portrait of Bradford was a pop-up street portrait project, with the ambition to record the diversity, energy and spirit of the city through its people. Six photographers - all members of the RPS - pitched themselves in Centenary Square in the heart of the city, on three Saturdays, and invited passers-by to have their portrait photographs taken.

​

The team made 163 portraits; some of the sitters live in the city, some work in the city, and others were just visiting for the day. Together the portraits tell a collective story of what makes Bradford unique and special. 

​

The six photographers were Ed Bylina, Ruth Emily Hanson ARPS, Peter G Harvey ARPS, Simon Hill CPhot HonFRPS, Rachael Munro-Fawcett and Hasan Rahmani ARPS. The project manager was Mary Crowther ARPS and the exhibition curator was Sebah Chaudhry.​

​

“It is the appeal of meeting strangers, and exploring their lives and environments, that draws me to my social documentary practice, yet the RPS Yorkshire Region Portrait of Bradford project reminded me just how vital collaboration and shared intent can be in public-facing work.”   

Simon Hill CPhot HonFRPS