The new Girls, Gays and Theys Photowalk coming to Glasgow

By Kate Bunney

Queens Park is the chosen location for the first walk, Credit: Shonagh Kelly

A brand new Photowalk project is to be launched this week in Glasgow. The exciting new endeavor will be taking place on the 18th May, led by its founder Shonagh Kelly.  

Photography is an art form that should be enjoyed by all, but often it can be seen as a bit of a boy's club. For many women and members of the LGBTQ+ community, it can be challenging to network and progress in a field which is dominated by men. This Photowalk will provide a community for minority groups to support each other and work together. 

Shonagh Kelly is an Irish, Glasgow based photographer who has experienced some highs and lows during her career so far. Shonagh said: “I’m a 2020 art school graduate and so I obviously had a rocky start in the creative industry. I’ve had a couple of great commissions here and there, notably being the Unit Stills Photographer for Scottish Short Film, ‘BLACKWOOL,’ which was the first ever Scottish Short to make it to the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. It was my first time ever at a film shoot and I had the best time. It’s something I would love to do again, but finding work is quite difficult”. 

Shonaghs work for the short film ‘BLACKWOOL’, Credit: Shonagh Kelly

Shonaghs motivations for starting the group were similar to what many female photographers struggle with. Shonagh said: “While working as a barista, I was coming across people, specifically men, who were incredibly unwelcoming to conversations around photography if I brought it up while they had a camera around their neck or at events there would be a higher concentration of men attending. One could argue that it's my own insecurities at work here but realistically, if men are taking up a higher proportion of the industry, I don’t think it’s too far to claim that there needs to be more inclusion and space for us, and other minorities, within that community”. 

 Shonagh said: “With that in mind, I remember often seeing a Photowalk that was gender specific, being run down in England (She Shoots Film), and I wondered why there wasn’t anything like that up here in Scotland. I decided, over a coffee and rant to my fellow photographer friend, that I might as well just do it myself. I also wanted to include the LGBTQ+ community as they are people very close to my heart. Although I come with a lot of privilege as a straight, white woman, I know it's equally my responsibility to empower and support them”. 

 The walk will take place in the popular Glasgow location, Queen’s Park. Shonagh said: “It was the first park I had been to when I first moved to Glasgow. Not only that, but the local film lab, Gulabi, resides just a few streets away from it. Therefore, if people finish the roll of film on the day, they can quickly pop by and drop it off for development!”. 

 The Photowalk is sponsored by Analogue Wonderland, who have kindly gifted each participant a roll of film to use on the walk. The group has spots for 13 people, but sadly all spots are taken for the first walk. However, Shonagh is hopeful for the future of the group and what they can achieve. 

 Shonagh said: “There will be more down the line! As I mentioned earlier, I do have a regular job, so finding the time to get it all organised can be slightly difficult but I’m aiming to have a bi-monthly walk! In a year's time I would dream of having a wider community across Glasgow to contribute to an exhibition! I think I would love to have a wee exhibition including some of the highlights from the walks!”. 

 Follow the Instagram page for the group here to keep up to date with future dates.