Cameras at the ready?  Whether you’re a skilled photographer, enthusiastic amateur or simply like taking family snaps on holiday, June is the month to be a photography fan on Guernsey.

The Guernsey Photography Festival makes a very welcome return to the Channel Islands this June after a hugely successful debut last year.  The photo-filled festival programme brings major names in international photography and emerging talent to Guernsey, with exhibitions, workshops and events on everything from award winning photojournalism to landscape masterclasses.

Copyright Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

The festival will kick off with an opening party [complete with a promised ‘surprise!’] in Market Square on June 1.  During the month award winning and internationally acclaimed photographers will be sharing their insights and inspirations, including 2001 Turner Prize nominee Richard Billingham, celebrated and award winning photographer Martin Parr, Guggenheim fellowship recipient Carolyn Drake, and Samuel Fosso, one of Africa’s most eminent photography stars, who opened his own portrait studio aged 13.

Tony Ray Jones / National Media Museum

Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the month will be an illustrated talk by Greg Hobson, Curator of Photographs at the National Media Museum, on the work of visionary photographer Tony Ray Jones.

Other inspiring events include a two-day landscape photography masterclass around Guernsey with Simon Norfolk, talks by award winning Italian photographer Francesco Giutsi and Finnish star Nelli Palomäki whose work has been widely exhibited around the world, and talented international photographers Adam Patterson and Dana Popa discussing their work with leading photojournalism magazine Foto8.

Jean-Christophe Godet. Copyright Chris George

VisitGuernsey met up with Festival Chairman Jean-Christophe Godet, who will be hosting workshops throughout the month, including a landscape masterclass on Herm.  He filled us in on the festival’s origins, this year’s theme of identity and why the event’s roots are firmly placed within the local community:

“When I moved to Guernsey some three and a half years ago I started to do some photography workshops at The Gallery in Mill Street,” he explains.  “And that is actually how I discovered there was quite a lot of interest in photography, which makes sense when you think we live on a beautiful Island.  People love to take their cameras out and take photos of the stunning landscapes.

“I felt that a photography festival had potential, not only for people to practise, but to get inspired by new types of photography.  I had noticed that people tended to go for the traditional type of photography like the beautiful sunsets and scenic views, so this was a way of introducing other aspects and different types of photography.

“I can say that last year we established the foundations of the event and it was really well received.  The quality of the programme was very high but we managed to stay connected to the local community, and I think the quality of the display had a real impact on the population.

“So for this year we thought let’s carry on and try and do something even bigger!   The key objective was to stay connected to the community but also to encourage people to travel from the UK, France and the rest of Europe to experience it.  We have been working hard to put Guernsey on the map for cultural events.

“This year’s theme is identity and the aim is to open up a conversation as to what the Guernsey identity is and try and go above the cliché, to go a little deeper…  I thought it would be really interesting to see how different photographers interpret Guernsey’s identity.

Copyright Lucy Henry

“Local photographers, professional or not, will have the opportunity to explore this theme as part of the festival and we have also invited international artists to exhibit work related to identity in general.  This will include work by Richard Billingham whose photography relates back to his own identity and his family and upbringing on a personal level, and Martin Parr whose work focuses on National Identity.”

But what about Jean Christophe’s own approach to photography?  “My approach always has a human touch to it,” he explains.  “And I am also very interested in photo documentary more than traditional landscapes, so when I go out I am always inspired by different types of characters.  The diversity of the people living on Guernsey is incredible and because the Island is so small you can actually go out and meet people easily, and even if you don’t have your camera but think they would be a great subject for a photo, you often have the opportunity to meet them on the street at a later date!

"Storm" by Marta Kochanek

“I love the context of an island as well, in terms of landscape and the type of culture and society it creates.  There is a definite pride amongst those who live in Guernsey for their Island and I love to explore this through my photography.”

To learn more about the photography festival and to download a programme of events click here.

The Guernsey photography festival is partnered by Generali Worldwide and PPF Partners.  The festival is sponsored by Cenkos and Mourant Ozannes.  Associate Partner and sponsors are the Guernsey Arts Commission and Deutsche Bank respectively.