Craig Waddell was born in 1994 and is a British portrait photographer currently based in Newcastle, following graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in 2017. Through using analog photography and a formal photographic style, he seeks to allude to traditional techniques and aesthetics whilst investigating contemporary issues surrounding representation and the self.
His work particularly engages with queer narratives and looks to establish their visibility. His mission is to reinvent the formal portrait, reclaiming it from outdated associations with social power and gender stereotyping. The formal portrait can be seen as a signifier of the institution and of social power. He has always been fascinated by the formal portrait as status and its role in collective public memory.
About ‘Masc’ – words by Craig Waddell:
The project is called “Masc” seen as an analogue medium format photography series, explores the queer identity, particularly masculinity, through the formal portraiture. The series was photographed almost wholly in Scotland, mostly between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and currently spans from 2016 up until 2019.
He particularly interrogates himself around the idea of contemporary queer masculinity, outside of the heteronormative and hegemonic ideal. “Masc” as a whole was born out of my personal experience reconciling my non-normative identity – so much of my personal discovery was fuelled by my interactions with my contemporaries, so I sought to explore and record that through portraiture.
I’ve always placed an emphasis on collaboration – although I am inevitably the architect of each image, I always work with my sitters on how they would like to be presented and encourage them to make choices on their pose and attire. The qualities of film and the incredible depth afforded by medium format imbue the images with a sense of drama and richness, which I feel gives the end result in a powerful presence.
I feel queer representation is often skewed in photography – either the results are incredibly performative and extravagant, or overly intimate. I want to make photographs that have a sense of dignity and directness, and serve as a vibrant update to the traditional portrait whilst celebrating the diversity and beauty of the queer community.
