Behind the Lens, Beyond the Sport
Two perspectives. One mission. Changing who tells the story of women in sport.
Two Sides of the Same Story
Behind the Lens, Beyond the Sport is an Arts Council England funded project with two complementary strands, each addressing a critical gap in how women's stories in sport are told—and who gets to tell them.
Community Workshops give women and girls the skills and confidence to explore movement photography, opening creative pathways that are often out of reach.
Athlete Collaborations pair female photographers with high-level athletes to capture authentic stories rarely seen in sports media—while creating professional opportunities that female photographers are systematically denied.
Together, we're shifting the narrative. Not just what we see, but who's behind the camera.
The Gap We're Filling
The sports photography industry remains dominated by men. Female photographers face significant barriers accessing elite sporting environments—limiting their portfolios, networks, and career progression. Meanwhile, the stories of female athletes continue to be told through a narrow, often male, lens.
At the community level, movement-based photography remains an untapped creative outlet for many women and girls who might never consider picking up a camera.
This project tackles both problems:
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Opening doors for emerging female creatives to explore photography through movement
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Creating access for professional female photographers to work with high-level athletes
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Amplifying authentic stories of women in sport, told by women
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Building representation both behind and in front of the lens
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Challenging industry gatekeeping that keeps women out
The Two Strands
STRAND ONE: COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
Discovering Movement Through the Lens
Our free community workshops invite women and girls (14+) to explore movement photography—no experience necessary.
Across multiple sessions, participants will:
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Learn fundamental photography skills and creative techniques
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Capture movement, energy, and emotion in sport and physical activity
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Build confidence through hands-on creative practice
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Connect with other women exploring photography
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Develop work for our public exhibition
These workshops are about access and opportunity. We're opening movement photography to women and girls who might never have considered it—creating new pathways into creative practice and visual storytelling.
STRAND TWO: ATHLETE + PHOTOGRAPHER COLLABORATIONS
​Professional Opportunities. Untold Stories.
We've brought together talented female photographers and inspiring athletes across different sports to create powerful visual narratives that go beyond the game.
This strand serves two purposes:
For photographers: Access to high-level athletes and sporting environments is rarely available to female photographers. This project provides genuine professional opportunities—portfolio development, industry connections, and experience working with elite athletes that would otherwise be out of reach.
For athletes: A chance to tell their story authentically. Not the highlight reel, but the real journey—the challenges, the barriers, the moments that don't make headlines. These collaborations create space for depth, nuance, and truth.
The resulting work will form the centerpiece of our final exhibition—showcasing both the stories that deserve to be seen and the talent of photographers who deserve the platform.
The Community Workshops
We’re so excited to share a brand new 3-part workshop series as part of our Arts Council England funded project, Behind Lens Beyond the Sport.
Ever wanted to take better photos but felt like you “don’t know what you’re doing”? This series is for you.
These sessions are beginner-friendly and all about building confidence behind the camera, learning simple (phone-friendly) photography skills, and giving yourself permission to be creative without worrying about getting it “perfect”. Beginners are genuinely welcome.
All sessions are at Picket Twenty Community Centre, Andover:
You don’t need fancy equipment at all. A charged smartphone is perfect. If you have a camera, bring it, but it’s totally optional (and we’ll have some kit you can try too).
​Take Part
Community Workshops:
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Women and girls aged 14+
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Any experience level—complete beginners welcome
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Interest in creativity, movement, or photography
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Based in Hampshire
Note: Our photographer and athlete collaborations are currently underway. Watch this space for the incredible work being created.
What We're Building
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More women and girls exploring creative practice through movement photography
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Professional opportunities for female photographers in elite sporting contexts
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Authentic representation of female athletes beyond traditional sports media narratives
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Challenge to industry gatekeeping in sports photography
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Visible pathways for emerging female creatives
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Community connections built through shared creative practice
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A public exhibition that centers women's voices and perspectives