National Prison Radio has long been a vital voice within UK prisons, offering education, support, and hope to those serving sentences. When they launched their first public-facing podcast, Life After Prison, the challenge was to take that same spirit of honesty and connection beyond the prison walls and into the wider world.

I was commissioned not just to document the launch but to help shape the visual identity of the series. Working closely with the team, I developed a lighting style that reflected the mix of realism and optimism at the heart of the project. The portraits balance grit with warmth - capturing the authenticity of lived experience while pointing toward the possibilities of a fresh start. The resulting images became central to the podcast’s branding and promotional campaign, setting the visual tone for how Life After Prison was received by the public and the press. By capturing both the raw energy of the presenters and the intimacy of their conversations, the photography helped establish a strong identity for this new chapter in National Prison Radio’s work.

For me, this project underlines the value of being involved early in the creative process. By helping to shape not only the shoot but also the overall look and feel of the campaign, I was able to ensure the visuals truly reflected the podcast’s mission: to show that life after prison, is not only possible, but full of potential.