This project was undertaken in February 2024, photographing the Portsmouth Historic Quarter (Dockyard). The work highlighted the area’s maritime and historical heritage, its architectural details, active boatyards, and ongoing conservation efforts. Collaborating with the BH4 boats team, I captured vessels on the pontoon, in the docks, and mid-maintenance, focusing on key features such as historic signage, Boathouse 4’s gantry cranes, and the Old Pay Office.
The Dockyard has always been one of my favourite places, somewhere I often visit with friends and family, so contributing to it photographically felt like a genuine honour. I remember wandering the grounds, moving from one building to the next and losing myself in its layers of history. Boathouse 4 was hosting She Seas, a powerful retrospective celebrating women’s roles in maritime history, filled with memorable testimonies. I was also lucky to visit Storehouse 9, where the round windows beneath the roof, almost like portholes, cast beautiful light across the space. The building also hosts Cinema 6 and a range of exhibitions, including the impressive Mary Rose display.
Being able to document such an important place, one that holds both personal meaning and cultural significance, made the project especially rewarding.
