NEW SIGNING - TOM HARRISON

We’re thrilled to welcome award-winning portrait photographer Tom Harrison to the LPA roster.

Based in South London, Tom is renowned for his ability to capture raw authenticity and striking character. His cinematic style, blending natural and strobe lighting, has earned him global recognition and the 2025 Portrait of Britain Award. From high-profile commercial commissions for brands like Samsung, Virgin Atlantic, and Meta, to acclaimed personal projects such as The Mudlarks of London (St Paul’s Cathedral, National Maritime Museum), The Referees of Hackney Marshes (Hackney Library), and Cold Water Swimmers of Tooting Lido (Photofusion, Brixton), Tom’s work consistently reveals joy, resilience, and humanity.

We sat down with Tom to hear more about his creative journey, the stories behind his portraits, and what drives him to keep seeking out everyday people with extraordinary passions.

Winning the 2025 Portrait of Britain Award is a huge achievement — what did that recognition mean to you personally and professionally?

Its amazing being one of the winners of the Portrait of Britain award. Having my work championed by the British Journal of Photography like that was amazing. And seeing my work in the Portrait of Britain book alongside so many other incredible images was great to see.

Referees of Hackney Marshes / 2025 Portrait of Britain Award

Projects like The Mudlarks of London and The Referees of Hackney Marshes shine a light on communities people might otherwise overlook. How do you go about gaining their trust?

I think gaining the trust of people I shoot on my personal projects comes from being genuinely interested and curious about the subjects. It gives you a reason to be there and a reason to tell the story.

Your projects often celebrate everyday people and their passions. What draws you to these kinds of stories?

I think in a world where we have become so saturated by imagery of perfect looking influencers and models, people are increasingly wanting to engage with images of real people in authentic moments. I'm always drawn to projects which showcase normal people doing remarkable things which they are passionate about.

How do you balance the creative freedom of personal projects with the structured demands of commercial commissions?

Engaging photography is ultimately about moments and stories. Whether I'm shooting a personal project or a campaign, this thread always runs through my work. Even if we are shooting a very structured commercial shoot with a demanding shot list, its essential to keep the story front of mind and do everything I can as a photographer to tell the story in as authentic and engaging a way as possible.

You’re known for blending natural and strobe lighting to create a cinematic look. Can you walk us through your approach to lighting a portrait?

When lighting a portrait my first priority is working out the energy I want the image to convey in order to meet the brief in question. Next, I will think about how the natural light in the scene works towards that goal, and if needed use my photographic lights to either build upon, emphasise, or even negate this ambient light. I also love blending various temperatures of lights in the same way. The overall goal is to use my lighting to emphasise the energy and emotion I want the final image to portray.

When working with global brands like Samsung or McDonald’s, how do you ensure your signature style still comes through?

Allowing my style to come through when shooting for large brands isnt always straight forward. I think the key is having a strong understanding of what the client wants from the outset, explaining how I would approach the shoot and what type of images they will get by commissioning me. Then again- sometimes we have to be open to ideas and be flexible in our approach in order to meet the specifics of a brief.

What do you hope people take away when they view your portraits, whether in a gallery or on a billboard?

I hope people take away a feeling of how there are beautiful moments and stories happening everywhere, with everyone.

What do you enjoy doing when not shooting?

When I'm not shooting or in the office, I spend lots of time keeping fit whether that be swimming at my beautiful local lido (where I recently shot another personal project!), or playing tennis or football. I also love taking advantage of all the galleries we have on offer in London.

What would you have liked to do for a living if you weren't a photographer?

I would be a builder. I'm a big DIY enthusiast- so know how satisfying it is seeing tangible results from a day's work.

What would be your ideal commission?

My ideal commission would be shooting a portrait of someone who will go down in history and for the images to be used well into the future for hundreds of years

What are you most looking forward to in terms of working with LPA?

I'm really excited to have more of a team behind me to help get my work seen by new and exciting clients. It will also be great having more support on my projects from a production point of view.

How would you sum up your work in 3 words?

Engaging, reflective, curious.

In every project, Tom brings a rare combination of empathy, artistry, and technical skill. We’re so excited to have him join the LPA family and to support him as he continues to create work that inspires and connects.