Over the past five years, I’ve been lucky enough to walk with hundreds of photographers — through woodlands and over sands, into cities at sunrise and coastlines at golden hour. Whether you joined a single session or have been coming along for years, I’m genuinely grateful.
This summer, I wanted to do something special — a way to say thank you and to showcase some of the brilliant work that’s come out of the Neon Light Photography community. So, for the upcoming Eclectic Mix exhibition at Smithdown Social Community Arts Hub, I was invited to curate a section dedicated to photography — and I opened a call to anyone who’s joined me on a walk or workshop.
Today, I’m delighted to share the 20 shortlisted images that emerged from that call. You’ll find them in the gallery below.
The Eclectic Mix is a collaborative exhibition featuring the work of seven local artists across painting, sculpture, embroidery, and photography. I’ll be contributing eight of my own shots, alongside nine final photographs selected from this shortlist.
While this is the first time I’ve helped curate a photography section within a wider exhibition like this, the process — and the standard of submissions — has me wondering whether it’s something I might do more often in future. The creative energy and generosity I’ve seen from this community never fails to impress.
Narrowing the shortlist to 20 was a challenge in itself. These are images that stood out — not just technically, but emotionally. Some tell subtle stories, others stop you in your tracks. A few were taken on phones, others with DSLRs or mirrorless cameras — but all have something to say.
When selecting the final 9 to appear on the gallery wall, I had to consider not just individual quality, but how the pieces worked together. In some cases, I received several strong images of the same location and could only include one. These were tough choices, but made with care and respect for every submission.
Even if your image isn’t making it to the wall, being shortlisted from such a talented field is something to be proud of.
The Eclectic Mix runs from 6th to 28th June 2025 at Smithdown Social Community Arts Hub, open Wednesday to Saturday, 12–6pm.
Come along to:
See the 9 selected community photographs alongside 8 of my own images
Explore a vibrant mix of painting, sculpture, and embroidery from six other artists
Purchase artwork, meet the artists, and enjoy the space
If you’d like to keep in touch — whether for future exhibitions, photography walks, or other projects — you can:
Follow me on Instagram: @neonlightphoto
Or simply come and say hello at the gallery in June.
All images shared here remain the copyright of the individual photographers. Please enjoy them and share this post if you’d like, but don’t download or reproduce without permission.
