Sade Mia
Hello Sade, Happy New Year!! Could you tell me a little bit about yourself, where you grew up, what you are currently doing and how you got into photography?
Hey, I grew up in South East London (Charlton and Erith). Right now I am not really photographing as much as I would like to because of lockdown but I have two projects that I am working on and they both explore the idea of nostalgia. I mainly got into photography through Tumblr when I was about 14/15 but I became more serious and involved with it when I took it as an A level. More recently I have graduated with a BA in 2020.
Your documentary style approach is one that I find fascinating. Does your photographic process involve much research or are you more inclined to work authentically?
Recently I haven't really done any new research for my current project as I usually meet up with Kyra and her friends, just hang out. I shoot whatever grabs my attention.
Stumbling across some of your work, your Project ‘Heston Kids’ really stood out. Could you tell me about the project and what inspired you to document the youth in Heston?
'Heston Kids' came about during my second year of university. As our last project of the year, we were allowed to explore whatever subject we wished. I knew I wanted to do something with documentary and portraiture so during my research I came across Mary Ellen Mark’s 'Streetwise' work which became one of the main influences for this project. After seeing Mark’s work I knew I wanted to shoot younger people to explore different lenses and the way I compose images. I find younger people more interesting to photograph especially ones who subvert from mainstream society.
I chose to shoot my cousin Kyra as she stirs away from the traditional representations of South Asian women. I documented her changes of appearance, relationships and interests to explore the transitional phase of breaking away from childhood into adolescence.
In your Instagram bio you say that you're a ‘Film Photographer.’ Why is that your preferred medium and can you ever see yourself working digitally?
I just prefer the whole process of film photography compared to digital. Being able to restrict yourself on what you’re shooting, not being able to see what the photos look like after a couple of days, it all adds an element of surprise. Being able to develop and handprint your own images also makes the process much more personal and rewarding.
I also found some Images and Highlights from your travels in India on your Instagram. I would love to hear more about your experience. Where in India did you travel to? Has it influenced your practice in any way?
I travelled to India a couple of years ago to spread my nan's ashes, so it wasn't really a time where we were able to sightsee. We stayed in my nan's village in Palahi near Phagwara. Being in India was actually when I started to photograph Kyra as we were the only oldest cousins in my family that went. It's crazy to think if I hadn't gone to India 'Heston Kids' wouldn't have come about because India is where me and Kyra became closer as we didn't really see each other much before then.
I photographed wherever we went, relatives houses, shopping, the kids from the village. There is some regret that I didn't photograph more as I was too paranoid about running out of film. I really want to go again, maybe in the next couple of years or so...
Recently you've been commissioned by Wallpaper for a more fashion orientated shoot. Do you see yourself combining your documentary style work with fashion Imagery in the future?
I would like to get more into the fashion side of photography, thus doing the Wallpaper shoot was a great experience to see the inner workings of shooting with a magazine. I am hoping to shoot for more magazines this year.
What can we look forward to from Sade in 2021? Are you working on any new projects?
This year I am trying to be a bit more positive. I know I am not alone feeling down and unmotivated with what's going on with lockdown. This year I want to carry on with my project 'Only Good Days' which is a project that explores South East London. I want to document the people and places that I associate my growing up with, as well as shoot more for 'Heston Kids.'
Interview by Jai Toor