Short and sweet this one, its been a while since I had the urge to write.
This sort of links with what I am part-time creating whilst working, but mainly worked as a reminder and a real nice Saturday.
In March 2025 Grimbarians/Humberlands announced their first HUMBER PORTRAIT PRIZE call out as part of a festival.
Grimbarians is more than a not-for-profit organization. It is a creative movement, born to change the story line of the town and the way people identify the area.
Through documenting and showcasing the lives of local people, we aim to promote confidence in the area, increase pride and build a stronger, more positive reputation for Great Grimsby because #grimsbyreallyismore
They also have a beautiful photography studio, they host social meet ups and so much more.
The exhibition opened on 16th October and throughout the week there was many different events hosted.
On Saturday I went to a event In Conversation with Brigitte Lardinios & Amanda Crawley Jackson – two powerful women with different backgrounds coming together to mentor, collab and create. The discussing was around exploring photography, place, culture practice, and of course hear about their incredible careers.
When you are sort of familiar but not quite aware of the beautiful “extent” … well I only had to take part in one gathering.
The story here is about “culturally deprived North”.
For starters, the location where Grimbarians are based is the best. Plains of industrial landscapes, buildings, old and new, clean and empty roads, railway line, odd passer-by, sea air and beautiful silence. So you wonder: are we lucky that the area is not claimed by keen investors and legacy washed away/community removed/brick demolished? South can’t afford this. We are lucky to have these semi-occupied edgelands, the escape and wholaa! there are small hidden gems thriving quietly.
Secondly, the space where both studio and venue/exhibition space is great. Same story here: reclaimed old building, repurposed and with its history still breathing in the brick.
The exhibition space is user friendly/lit beautifully with and without studio lights, big fan of it. Certain charm to be there working with great people. And yes, I tell them that the best studio locally is in Grimsby. It goes down well every time.
Photo above: Jack Gleadow and Grimbarian studio 2025
Exhibition space too don’t disappoint. It almost inspires me to want to gather a portfolio to exhibit. Invite people to an opening and celebrate being a photographer.
Again I ask if I am deprived for having access to an affordable studio, exhibition space with a team that will move on even if they didn’t receive the funding to go ahead, regular meet ups free to access?
We are lucky to have a creative community who want to grow and build a network, collaborate and share. All the nice things.
For all above reasons wanted to mention this little experience last week and congratulations to all photographers involved in Humber Portrait Awards.
ANETE SOODA PHOTO 