Welcome to the first issue of the Women Photographers UK Journal.
April 2026 marked the beginning of a new chapter on Substack—a quieter place to share photography, conversations and community. This first issue brings together the posts, discussions and moments that started the journey.
April 2026 marked the beginning of a new chapter on Substack—a quieter place to share photography, conversations and community. This first issue brings together the posts, discussions and moments that started the journey.
There’s something about photography that goes far beyond taking pictures.
For many of us, it becomes part of how we move through the world.
For many of us, it becomes part of how we move through the world.
In a time where life often feels rushed, noisy, and permanently connected to bad news and endless scrolling, photography quietly asks us to slow down. To look properly. To notice things we would normally walk past without a second thought.
It gets you outside.
It gets you moving.
It gets you moving.
A camera gives you a reason to leave the house,
Read the full article on Substack .....
Women Behind the Lens
A few years ago I created WPUK — Women Photographers UK over on instagram — because I wanted women photographers to have somewhere to feel seen, encouraged and connected.
Over time, like many people, I started to feel exhausted by the way platforms such as Instagram worked. It often felt as though the platform itself decided who would be visible and who would quietly disappear into the background. The endless chasing of reach, engagement and visibility slowly took the joy away from simply sharing photographs.
I stepped back from it all for a while.
But recently, over on my personal Substack, I mentioned that I missed the idea of creating a genuine space for women photographers again — not a feature page, not another popularity contest, but a community.
The responses surprised me.
One woman wrote:
“I dont recognise the platform anymore. It feels like you’re either pushed or buried, and there’s very little in betwen.”
Another commented:
“A place on Substack is exactly what’s needed. Less pressure, more meaningful connection.”
And honestly, that stayed with me.
Because maybe that’s exactly what many of us are looking for now.
Not another place to compete.
Not another place where we feel we have to constantly market ourselves.
But somewhere calmer. Somewhere slower. Somewhere built around photography, conversation, encouragement and connection rather than algorithms.
So I’ve decided to bring WPUK here to Substack under the name Women Behind the Lens.
This is not about building the biggest photography platform. It’s not about influencers, viral posts or pretending we all have everything figured out.
It’s about creating space.
Space for women photographers to share work, thoughts, experiences, projects, struggles and creativity without feeling like they have to constantly “keep up.”
WPUK still exists on Instagram as a way for women to discover the community, but Women Behind the Lens on Substack is where I hope the real connection will happen.
If you’ve been craving a quieter, more meaningful photography space, you’re very welcome here.
Something smaller.
Something slower.
Something real.
Something slower.
Something real.
Welcome to Women Behind the Lens
