It was a privilege to photograph Greg Marsden, a leading academic in transport planning and sustainable mobility, for the latest issue of Connected Places Catapult. Greg Marsden’s research focuses on the future of transport systems, mobility policy, and innovative infrastructure planning, making him a key voice in shaping smarter, more sustainable cities across the UK and beyond.
Choosing the Perfect Location for Editorial Portraiture
For this portrait, I wanted to create something dynamic and reflective of both his visionary work and the transformative power of urban environments. I chose the University of Leeds for its striking brutalist architecture—a location that perfectly complements Greg’s forward-looking approach to transport planning. The sculptural concrete walls and rough textures of the building provided a visually compelling backdrop, while streams of natural light falling through the structure allowed me to play with shadows and highlights to create depth and drama.
Dynamic Portraits with Light, Architecture, and Storytelling
In the image, Greg is looking up toward the light, a pose that emphasizes curiosity, reflection, and vision, moving beyond a standard academic headshot. By carefully positioning him within the intersecting planes of concrete, I captured both the human element and the architectural environment, producing a portrait that tells a story: of an academic at the forefront of shaping connected, future-ready cities, and a photographer exploring how light, texture, and composition can elevate storytelling in editorial portraiture.
Highlighting the Work of Connected Places Catapult
Connected Places Catapult plays a crucial role in translating academic research and innovative transport solutions into actionable urban strategies, fostering collaboration between industry, government, and research institutions. Documenting Greg Marsden in this context allowed me to highlight the connection between pioneering research and the environments it seeks to influence—perfectly marrying the worlds of photography, architecture, and sustainable urban development.
Photography Techniques for Academic and Environmental Portraits
This editorial portrait is a testament to how location, lighting, and pose can transform a simple academic portrait into a visually compelling story. Using natural light, brutalist architectural textures, and thoughtful composition, the portrait showcases Greg Marsden’s expertise in transport planning and the impact of Connected Places Catapult on the UK’s urban mobility landscape.
