Bag Tales, 2017-2020 © Jermaine Francis — *Bag Tales,* 2017-2020 © Jermaine Francis

As a documentary and portrait photographer, Jermaine Francis captures fleeting moments in time on city streets. Based in London, Francis has had work exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery and the International Centre of Photography. His portfolio ranges from personal projects to more structured editorial work.

Francis’ interest in photography began in his late teenage years. He says his interest in photography “really began at eighteen when [he] met [his] lecturer Jed Hoyland, who exposed [him] to a whole world of amazing photographers, such as Martha Rosler and Lee Friedlander.” While his passion for photography developed early in his young adult life, his interest in cinema was the spark.

“I had always really loved cinema and cinematography, and film stills,” he says, “So it was probably a natural choice.”

Documentary style photography has an organic feel, and Francis notes that it is integral to understanding our surroundings. He writes that it “has always been a practice that has tried to contextualize the world that is around us, and for [him], that has been an important process.”

He refers to a quotation from Anthony Luvera, who describes this style as a “broad church,” which Francis thinks is one of the best descriptions [he’s] heard… and this quality [he finds] extremely exciting. The Document is a vehicle in which we can re-imagine, interpret, see the world around us, and is always re-assessing itself.” Within one type of photography style, there is endless opportunity and ideas to capture.

Though Francis seems to capture candid, brief moments, there is a structure to his work. When asked about how intentional his shoots are, Francis responded, “I think it depends on the project. I do always have details in mind, but I also allow things to develop. Sometimes I have exactly in my mind what I want.’ But the process was very different when making “something that was so familiar becomes distant.”

Francis remarks that a large portion of the process of taking these photos is walking:

“It is usually a lot of walking,” he says, “That could be around five to seven hours, depending on where I am heading.”

For a documentary photographer who sets out into the crowded public for inspiration, a pandemic seems quite a roadblock. Francis, however, regards navigating the pandemic as just part of the process, rather than negatively impacting his work.

“When making the lockdown journal,” he writes, “Physical distance was obviously very important, [as well as] space and environment, so I incorporated that into the work. I tend to react to what’s going on around me at the time. So for me, [it is] just part of the process.”

Francis’ photos encapsulate a genuine authenticity and demonstrate the unique and intriguing nature of life being lived.