OLIVIA HEMINGWAY

Testimonials (Individuals):

• I wish I always looked like the person in Olivia’s photos of me. And her photos of my dog friend Rosie are almost supernaturally beautiful.  Adam Buxton, Writer, Comedian and Actor

• Olivia is an extremely personable and professional photographer. I am not used to being in front of the camera and she put me at ease. She gave me gentle direction and took some wonderful shots. I never felt awkward or nervous, and the pictures came out great. Her work is wonderful and I enjoyed every minute of the shoot.  I would work with her every day if I could. Yasmeen Ismail, Illustrator and Children’s Author

• Thank you Olivia, if only they were all so easy. Sir Patrick Stewart, Actor

• That were a piece of [cake] Jodie Whittaker, Actor

• I absolutely love working with Liv, whether it’s in the midst of backstage madness in the middle of a West End show or just relaxing at her place with my pet hamster. Liv is so chilled, she just captures everything beautifully & finds those special little details that make all the difference. Paul Kaye, Actor

• There have over time, been numerous photographers commissioned to take pictures of me in my studio; the approach of Olivia Hemingway was among the more interesting and the results amongst the most satisfactory.  Sir Quentin Blake, Illustrator and Children’s Author

• The new Pennie Smith. Mick Jones of The Clash

• Love your photographs. Terry Hall of The Specials

• I have been

  working with Olivia Hemingway

  and I would say

  she has a way

  with image and word

  and she should be heard 

  and seen. John Hegley, Poet

• Quite possibly the best birthday present ever. I had such fun. That was one crazy morning, but very special, and something to remember for sure. Zoe, owner of Poppy, Ninky and B'dactyl the cats

• Amazingly talented at getting great images from some of the most difficult subjects. Couldn't recommend highly enough! Mark Joint, owner of Charlie Brown the dog

Testimonials (Clients):

• Olivia is a gifted and sensitive artist. She produced for the BBC unusually beautiful photographs that brought depth, humour and vibrancy to our website. Manuela Rotstein, SEO & Digital Marketing Consultant, BBC

• As a U.S. based museum working on occasion in London, we were so fortunate to have the talent of Olivia Hemingway for our historic programs.  Her talent is only outdone by her professionalism and charm.  I can officially say she is one of the best photographers we have worked with in the world!  Jill Magnuson, Director of External Affairs, Nasher Sculpture Center

• Olivia is a pleasure to work with and her photography is outstanding.  The circumstances we were tasked to work with on the shoot were far from ideal - yet, to the contrary, the results were stunning. They reflected the requirements of our brand guidelines completely. They really captured the essence of each model and are well used throughout our communications.  Among Olivia's many skills is the ability to really engage the subject so they feel relaxed, yet at the same time, she is able to direct them and take warm and 'natural' candid shots.  She's a complete professional and I can't recommend her strongly enough.  Joost Lafèbre, Designer, British Lung Foundation

• Olivia understood the brief quickly and was helpful in creating ideas for the shoots. On the day she created a relaxed atmosphere. She blended into the background, making the children feel comfortable so that she could capture the really natural moments we needed. Anna Serocold, Designer, Cog Design

• I have worked with Olivia at both the Barbican and Great Ormond Street Hospital on a variety of projects in different mediums and range of ages and groups. She is highly talented and cares passionately about the participants and the work.  Susie Hall, Head of Arts at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children

• I worked with Olivia on a photography project for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Olivia's photography was both inspirational and innovate as it captured the essence of the hospital environment, the young patients experiences, their friendships with one another and their strong personalities in the face of adversity. As the graphic designer responsible for the layout and design of the final displays I found Olivia's insight into her work and suggestions on best content made my role much smoother. Steven D'Arcy-Chambers, Designer

• Olivia Hemingway is a highly organized, detail oriented and innovative photographer to work with. As an experienced and creditable photographer, Olivia’s approach to her work is both personable, yet professional. Her commitment to her client’s objectives, combined with her artistic intelligence and outstanding ability to develop conceptual ideas into an amazing finished product makes Olivia Hemingway a photographer of choice. I have no issue with recommending Olivia as one of the best professional photographers in the market today. Adam Cox, Executive Advisor for the Corporate Strategy Board at CEB

• From the beginning it was clear that Olivia really understood our aims and brief and she had a very clear vision for the series. Olivia has always been incredibly hard working and done everything she can to make sure the project is a success. On days when we had several shoots back to back she was able to work quickly without compromising any of the quality of her work and without the subject ever feeling rushed. At times the project has been very emotional, when we have photographed and interviewed terminally ill patients and recently bereaved family members. Olivia has handled this with sensitivity, compassion and professionalism. She has a fantastic way with people, making sure they are at ease and reassuring anyone who was nervous. As a result all of the portraits are very natural and relaxed. Olivia has an incredible attention to detail and ability to tell stories through her photography. The finished portraits are of really high quality and will be treasured by the people photographed and the Hospice for years to come.  Emily Clark, 40th Anniversary Manager, St Gemma’s Hospice

• I have worked with Olivia on several projects for Dogs Trust Freedom. She is a pleasure to work with and I always look forward shoot days. Olivia really works with you to understand the themes and content that you are wishing to portray in the photography, with understanding of our branding guidelines, incorporating this subtlety into the images. She provides practical support too in arranging the shoot locations and models as well as thinking about the end application of where and how the resulting images will be used across different media.

  Olivia directs each shoot with confidence and is able to put the models at ease which is hugely important when working with people and their animals. This results in natural imagery, capturing special moments with the sensitivity required for our Freedom service. Her attention to detail and use of light and colour result in beautifully crafted images that are perfect for our needs, capturing the beauty of everyday life and the magical connection people have with their dogs. Diane Hill, Dogs Trust Freedom Development Manager, Dogs Trust

Exhibitions:

*indicates solo show

2025

*York Minster: Visions, Voices, Vocations: Celebrating Women in York Minster, The Chapter House at York Minster. 5 June - 16 November 2025: current exhibition info.

Tolson Museum, Huddersfield: Half Cat image on display, Jan 2025 ongoing.

2024

Five Four Studios, Salford: Shot Up North Awards Exhibition and Catalogue. December 2024

Buckingham Palace, London: Royal Collection Trust photography project working with young people from the Renaissance Foundation, alongside photographic artist Ana Escobar and curator Alessandro Nasini. August 2024 (creative photography group exhibition, with additional documentary images within exhibition display)

The Civic, Holmfirth (main exhibition) and The Carlile Institute, Meltham (fringe venue): Holmfirth Artweek 2024 for Macmillan Cancer Support and The Kirkwood. July 2024 (mixed media group exhibition)

Millennium Images: Feeling Blue. Jan 2024 (a curated selection of photographs in a virtual gallery inspired by Blue Monday)

2023

The Civic, Holmfirth: Holmfirth Artweek 2023 for Macmillan Cancer Support and The Kirkwood, main exhibition. July 2023 (mixed media group exhibition)

Unit 18, The Piazza, Huddersfield: In Deep, Climate Crisis Community Art Exhibition. June 2023 (mixed media group exhibition)

Millennium Images: Dogs. March 2023 (a curated selection of photographs in a virtual gallery inspired by the exhibition ‘Faithful and Fearless: Portraits of Dogs’ at the Wallace Collection)

2022

The Royal Photographic Society, Bristol: World Food Photography Awards 2022. Nov - Dec 2022 (Finalist + Highly Commended in group exhibition)

York Art Gallery, York: Aesthetica Art Prize 2022. June - Sept 2022 (SMALL WORLDS, Lockdown in Meltham series longlisted, group exhibition)

The Civic, Holmfirth (main exhibition) and The Fourth Fiend, Meltham (fringe venue): Holmfirth Artweek 2022 for Macmillan Cancer Support and The Kirkwood. July - Nov 2022 (duo exhibition with Alison Edmonds)

Boiler House, Truman Brewery, London: Art Aid Ukraine. Apr 2022 (a group exhibition fundraiser for Medicine for Ukraine)

The Association of Photographers: WOMAN, an AOP Spotlight exhibition by F22. 1 – 31 March 2022 (a curated selection of photographs in a virtual gallery from 27 female AOP accredited members in recognition of International Women’s Day 2022)

2020 - 2022

Muxima Arts & Music Space, London and *The Carlile Institute, Holmfirth (and various venues and community locations, enabling social distancing): SMALL WORLDS, Lockdown in Meltham: photographic art poster series. May 2022

2020

A.I.R Gallery, New York: Fe Mail Art, 2020 Postcard Exhibition (HRI mixed media postcard in group show)

2019 - 2020

Huddersfield Art Gallery, Huddersfield: She Took to Flight (photographic work in main gallery collection)

2019

Beningbrough Hall Gallery and Gardens, National Trust, York: Yorkshire! Achievement, Grit and Controversy (several photographic portraits in group show, including works from The National Portrait Gallery, The Arts Council Collection and York Art Gallery)

Globe Arts, Slaithwaite: Holmfirth Artweek for Macmillan Cancer, fringe venue

Batley Hope Gallery: Olivia Hemingway

2018 - 2019

*Northern Tea House, Huddersfield: Olivia Hemingway, A Collection of Works

2018

*Huddersfield Art Gallery, Huddersfield: HOME, Photographs by Olivia Hemingway (solo exhibition)

*Leeds City Museum, Leeds: 40 Faces of St Gemma's Hospice: and poster series: exhibited in various locations around Leeds (solo exhibition and project)

The Gallery, Slaithwaite: Slaithwaite Arts Festival fringe venue

2017

*The Corner, Huddersfield: HRI Series, An Exhibition of Photographic Portraits and Stories (photography solo exhibition, words + postcard project)

*Northern Tea House, Magic Rock and Huddersfield Train Station (plus exhibited in over 800 locations around West Yorkshire): HRI Love Stories, poster campaign, a collaboration with the SHARP Agency

2016 - 2017

*Great Ormond Street Hospital, London: Portraits (artist in residence, photography in hospital exhibition space)

2014 - 2015

*Great Ormond Street Hospital, London: Go Create, Self Portraits (artist in residence, photography displays within wards)

2013 - 2015

Kenwood House, London: Kenwood Stories, Family Portraits (on display / within a book about the project)

2012

*Great and Small, London: Animal Portraits

2011

Orange Dot Gallery, London: 2 to the Power 10, Postcard Art Project (postcard collage in group show, curated by Geoffrey Harrison)

2007 - 2010

*The Barbican, London: The London Symphony Orchestra Series (backstage photography solo exhibition)

2009

LSO St Lukes Music Venue, London: Performers at LSO St Lukes (BBC Sessions and The London Symphony Orchestra)

Cafe Central, London: Performers at LSO St Lukes (BBC Sessions and The London Symphony Orchestra)

2008

Fishing Quarter Gallery, Brighton: Holy Mackerel! (photography / mixed media in group show, curated by Hannah Carding)

*Sh! London: Rubbers (photography solo display)

2007

*Searcy’s, the Barbican, London: Rubbers (photography solo exhibition)

Imperial War Museum, London: Silent Witness (mixed media informal learning project and exhibition)

2006

*Searcy’s, the Barbican, London: Backstage with the London Symphony Orchestra (photography solo exhibition)

Imperial War Museum, London: 1000 Paper Cranes (mixed media informal learning project and exhibition)

2005

Spitz Gallery, London: Have you Got a Rubber? (group mixed media show curated by Olivia Hemingway and including work by Anthony Minghella and Jessie Simmons)

Rapideye, London: Why do you still print the old way? (group exhibition at the AOP and venues along Leonard St)

2002

*VOX bar, Huddersfield: Oasis Coffee Bar Series (solo display)

2001

Interbrand, Newell and Sorrell, London: Telling Stories (group exhibition with Jessie Simmons, Caroline Reeves and Anthony Kikkides)

*Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield: Oasis Coffee Bar Series (solo display)

2000

Business Design Centre, London: New Designers Exhibition (group exhibition)

Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham: Telling Stories (BA (Hons) Photography degree show, exhibition with Jessie Simmons, Caroline Reeves and Anthony Kikkides) sponsored by Absolut Vodka

Performance | Writing:

Olivia Hemingway has performed some of her written work as a guest of John Hegley at the Betsey Trotwood, Toynbee Hall, Cafe Lux, the Poetry Cafe, Scootercaffè and the Words in Motion tent at the Big Chill Festival. Her written work has contributed to projects with Fuse Art Space and the Barbican. She interviewed notable people in connection to the threat to the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary for the HRI series, then worked with copyrighter Jo Richards / the SHARP Agency to create a poster campaign. Hemingway’s photography series SMALL WORLDS, Lockdown in Meltham involved interviewing people about their experiences of Lockdown, collaborating with Heat Design to create an art poster series with poem-like text to accompany the images. She was then commissioned to write an article for Mental Fight Club: Seeing Small Worlds.

Exhibition in the Chapter House at York Minster, until 16 November 2025

Aesthetica Art Prize at York Art Gallery, 2022

A Selection of Exhibition Press / Published Work:

For more published work follow Olivia on Instagram

Additional Info:

Clients Include:

Aardman Animations • ABRSM • The Arts Council • Avascent • Barbican • The BBC • The Beats Record Label (The Streets) • British Lung Foundation • British Museum • Carers UK • Cog Design • Dogs Trust • Endemol • English Heritage • Garage Sale Trail • Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children • Hampstead Theatre • Hoot Creative Arts • The ICA • Imperial War Museums • Japan Airlines • Kenwood House • Laurence King Publishing • Leeds Art Gallery • The London Symphony Orchestra • The Lowry • Mallinsons Brewery • Manchester International Festival • Manchester Science Festival • Massive Attack • Matthew Krishanu • Museum of Science and Industry • Museum of the Home • Nasher Sculpture Center • National Portrait Gallery • Sir Nicholas Serota • Optimum • Origin Housing Association • Pet Plan • Piece Hall • Sir Quentin Blake • Reelworld • Red Lion and Sun • Royal College of Art • Science and Media Museum • The Sharp Agency • St Gemma’s Hospice • Streettree • Sunday Publishing • Tate • Times Educational Supplement • UBS • The United Nations • University College London • The V&A • The Wellcome Collection • Yasmeen Ismail

Publications Include:

Aesthetica Magazine • Apollo Magazine • Artforum • Barbican Guide • Barmcake • BBC Focus Magazine • BBC4 Launch Promotional Material • The Big Issue • Blues and Soul • BMW Group • Business Magazine • Clash Magazine • Culture Vulture • The Financial Times • The Guardian • The Huffington Post • The Independent • The Irish Times • Mojo Magazine • The New Statesman • The New York Times • The Observer New Review • Paces • Pet People • Skylines • Smash Hits • The Summer Reading Challenge • The Sunday Times • Tate Etc Magazine and London Underground Posters • The Telegraph • Time Out Magazine • Total Guitar • The Wall Street Journal • Vogue • Widewalls • The Word • The Yorkshire Post

Charity Partners║Collaborations Include:

Amnesty International • Anti-Slavery International • Artists for Ukraine • Cats Protection • CHOOSE LOVE • Debt Justice • The Deep • Mayhew Animal Home • Meals for the NHS • Medicine for Ukraine • Meltham Pre-school Playgroup • Simon’s Cat • St Mungo’s • Transcend In London

Workshops║Creative Learning Clients Include:

Barbican Creative Learning • Churchill War Rooms • Eastside Education • Equal Arts • Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children • The Hepworth • Imperial War Museum London • Kenwood House • Lambeth CLC (British Film Institute) • Leeds Art Gallery • Museum of London • National Portrait Gallery • PeaceInsight • The Royal Collection • Waddesdon Manor • The Wallace Collection

Contributors║Sponsors Include:

Absolut Vodka • The Barbican • Beerhouses • Diageo • Innocent Smoothies • Mallinsons • Massive Attack • Meltham Community Groups • Optimum • Swiftprint • Yorkshire Tea

Qualifications / Accreditations:

BA (Hons) Photography - Nottingham Trent University.

Tate Galleries - architectural, installation and official view artworks training, Certitec Adobe Authorised training and selected for the 2+3D Photography, Practise and Prophecies Conference, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Certified Carbon Literate through the Carbon Literacy Project with Historic England.

Accredited member of the Association of Photographers and Royal Photographic Society (RPS) member.

HOME exhibition posters designed by Debby Wilder, portraits of Olivia Hemingway by Phil Greenwood and Jon Super (The Observer), Tate posters co-credit with Andy Dunkley, Tate Images © Tate Photography, HRI poster designed by Sadie Coles║The SHARP Agency, ABRSM rebrand designed by Cog Media.

© Olivia Hemingway