I am Jessica Bryony, based in the North West of England and have been working as a photographer for about 11 years now. I have always been interested in skateboarding, the lifestyle and culture that surrounds it. When taking a trip to LA four years ago I was totally amazed at the sense of community I felt when photographing at Venice Beach skate park. I wanted to bring that feeling back and photograph our own home grown talent and culture. From this developed a project that I have been working on for two years now; LIFERS.
Photographing with a group of ‘older’ skateboarders, taking an ethnographic approach to capture their passion of skateboarding, and how they deal with the physical and mental side of it as their body struggles with some of the more strenuous aspects. But most importantly, capturing their style, friendships, passion and community. Working closely with Marcus, Chris and Stuart who are seen mainly in the images, they have allowed me to document their time to form a representation of skateboarding as a lifestyle and art form. Not just for the youth, but for those who have committed their lives to it.
Dedicated, passionate and true to the lifestyle, these Lifers have been skateboarding for the majority of their lives. Youth may come and go, but skateboarding has stayed with them.
These men are husbands, fathers, have a career, responsibilities and duties. But most of all, they are still skateboarders.
All photos by Jessica Bryony
All photos by Jessica Bryony
Follow her on instagram at www.instagram.com/jessiebphoto/