lily bertrand-webb

Tell us about your career background

Born and bred West Londoner of half Dominician & half English heritage. I grew up in a household of creatives, my mother is a casting director, my father is an actor. After losing my hearing from a young age, I now wear a cochlear implant which replaces acoustic hearing with electric, allowing me to hear sounds I'd never heard before. I also have a special superpower... lipreading!

What led you to working in photography?

It was my photographer godfather who first introduced me to the magical world of the camera at a young age. I studied photography in GCSEs, A Levels and went on to graduate from Bournemouth Arts Institute in 2011 with a BA Photography degree. The summer I graduated I went on to do a summer internship with the artist and filmmaker Sam Taylor-Johnson. I then went on to work for a small photography gallery Fitzrovia for a couple of years where I was fortunate to work with the iconic photographer Dorothy Bohm. It is through photography and film where I am able to visually accentuate my other senses - from the way I observe my surroundings, to my affective for sheer colour bliss. I always strive for my work ot be a visual representaiton fo my expereince of the worlds as a half deaf and half hearing person. As an artist, I am constantly searching for the imitation of sounds in my daily life, through both silence and the electronic sounds that my cochlear implant gives me. The National Portrait Gallery purchased my portrait of the artist John Keane for their permanent collection.

What advice do you have for others who are thinking about getting into similar roles?

Just go for it. If you fail, get up and go again. Being rejected takes you on the path to start again as the stronger and better version of yourself! Believe me, I've fallen many times and I get back up again! And guess what, it's ok, everyone falls.

How do you style your marfa stance piece?

I wear the dark olive, bronze side when I'm walking my dog. And the wine outside when I want to dress more 'smart casual'. The big pockets are SO ideal for putting in practical things. Keys, wallet, poo bags, phone, camera, rolls! The true LBW essentials!