People and Place – an interview with our Photographer in Residence
Thursday 6th August 2026
As part of The Oxford Trust’s 40th anniversary celebration, from March 2025 to 2026, The Oxford Trust appointed a Photographer in Residence, Jason Warner of Fyrefly Studios, to document a year in the life of the Trust.
As the residency came to an end, in 2026 Jason created a series of portrait photographs of the Trust’s team and colleagues based at the Wood Centre for Innovation. Each subject chose an object that demonstrates their character, role and relationship with the Trust, and highlights the diversity of the programmes delivered by the team across Oxfordshire and beyond. (See the portrait gallery here)
We caught up with Jason to reflect on his experience and the stories he captured throughout the year.
For me, it’s all about capturing the positive energy of the people and place, and it’s been great to explore these themes through the portrait project.
What did your residency at The Oxford Trust mean to you?
My time at The Trust has been a fabulous opportunity and a real privilege to be a part of. Documenting the journey as the Trust celebrated its 40th anniversary year has been an amazing experience. For me, it has been all about capturing the positive energy of the people and place, and it’s been great to explore these themes throughout the year.
Tell us about your background as a photographer?
Being a photographer was never part of the masterplan! I got a degree in learning disability nursing and worked for a long time in a wonderful NHS community team. Then I got a chance to flip careers and become a professional musician. That’s when I picked up a camera, to document life on the road. My business grew out of that and now I work full-time as a freelance photographer and filmmaker, collaborating with lots of brilliant businesses and organisations.
What unique skills have helped shape the photographs and portraits you took during your residency?
Closely supporting people who have a learning disability taught me how to communicate and how to engage with people, how to listen and how to understand verbal and non-verbal cues. I believe this skill has had a huge influence on my photography, to read and capture the emotions that tell the stories, and that, for me, is what photography is all about. My time on the stage also taught me a lot about being in front of a camera, something I always think about when I work with my clients, especially those that don’t really want their picture taken.
What was particularly important to you to capture during your residency?
I have photographed people from across the communities of the UK, and accessibility and inclusion have always been important to me. I see the Trust as embodying those values. I loved rising to the challenge of documenting these themes, to tell the stories across the year in a way that reaches out to the wider community around it.
What were your highlights of the year?
Gosh, so many. Can I say all of it? Working with Georgina, Autumn and Joanne in the communications team was particularly brilliant. They have been so responsive and so supportive throughout the residency. And meeting and photographing Lady Audrey Wood was such a privilege and an unforgettable experience.
How have you grown as a photographer during the year?
Whilst working with all the fabulous people was the highlight, I also got some reflective time in the grounds as I photographed the seasonal year. Most of my reflections were about how bad a landscape photographer I was! But the more time I spent in the woods, understanding the space and how it changed through the year, the more I grew into the challenge and I was really pleased with the gallery of photos I created.
The final part of your residency was to take a series of portraits of the team – how did you come up with the colourful theme for the portraits?
I’m going to be honest here and admit to a little ‘thievery’. There’s a brilliant photographer called David La Chapelle that I have idolised for years and I love how he uses bright colours. A lot of my music photography is about the use of colour, and that is all about energy. That’s why I wanted colour to be a feature of the portraits of The Oxford Trust team.
Are there any memorable science ‘wow’ moments or facts you’ll remember from your year with us?
Spiderman! The spider silk compound those guys [Newrotex] have created is like science fiction. And the astronomy evening was amazing too. We got to see Jupiter through a telescope in the car park!
Name 3 words that describe your experience of being Photographer in Residence at The Oxford Trust!
I only need two: Magnificently mind-blowing!
It has been a pleasure to have Jason documenting life at The Oxford Trust throughout this special anniversary year. His photos have beautifully captured the people, places and projects and showcase the breath of the work of the Trust and its impact across the region.
Portfolios
View and enjoy the digital gallery here.
Top banner: Daniel Scholes, Head of Education – Light Fantastic.
