PHONE +44 7887911212
EMAIL mail@oliviamann.com
SKYPE oliviamann
Follow @livmann
Most of the time I am just listening out for stories with my eyes peeled…you can hear them on the wind and see them reflected in puddles.
After studying Psychology at the University of Leeds, working in documentary research and photographic publishing, I became a freelance photographer.
At the centre of my work are people’s stories. Through them we understand the world a little better. Getting an insight into people’s lives can shape and shift our perceptions of the world. Stories can break down barriers, teach lessons, and offer inspiration.
I am always working on a number of projects. For example, over the past 5 years with Alison Palmer I have created series of portraits of the England Women’s Football Team entitled ‘The Footballers’. It tells the story of the incredible & pioneering women who have changed and inspired the face of Women’s sport in the UK.
I am also editing a series of people’s stories from Myanmar; it is a first persons insight into the country tentatively shifting towards democracy.
This year I started shooting a documentary film about Child Soldiers in Africa with director Jean-Philippe Tremblay and DocFactory.
I like to balance my independent projects with commissions from international charities and NGOs. I recently provided Coaching for Hope with a short film and series of portraits telling intimate stories of the powerful work they do all over the world.
I consider my self incredibly lucky to be following my passion and allowing my camera to take me to meet such diverse people, places, and worlds.
“Olivia is more than an excellent photographer; she is a collaborator, an activist and a teller of stories more compelling than a one hour documentary and more visually stunning than a Turner prize. Her enthusiasm, humility and dedication to her subject matter has given us a resource which speaks volumes about our work in a way which captures the imagination and the heart of the viewer”
Jane Carter, Coaching for Hope.
Recent multimedia projects for international charities and NGOs
The Testimony Project, London
Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, London
(the appeal raised over £1 million)
Sandblast, Algeria
Coaching for Hope, South Africa
Medical Action Myanmar, Myanmar (Burma)
WIZO, Israel
Exhibitions
The Devil’s Garden, The Forge Camden, 2014
The ‘Footballers’ FOFI, Bristol, 2014
Women In Sport Exhibition, London, 2014
Coaching for Hope Exhibition, London, 2014
The Portrait Salon 2012
‘The Footballers’ as part of the ‘Moving The Goalposts’
‘The Footballers’, Wembley Stadium
‘The Footballers’, Epitaph Stadium, Manchester
‘The Footballers’ Lanchester Gallery, Coventry exhibiting during
The Olympics 2012
Act For Darfur, London, 2008
Selected Group Show, Photofusion
Coven Magazine, 2014
Times Exclusive ‘The Footballers’ 2013
Selected for Portrait salon 2012
Radio 4 documentray, Smile- contributor, 2012
Short-listed for the Taylor Wessing National Portrait Prize 2011