Photo essay: Kitchen Table Photo Club
Kitchen Table Photo Club grew from the heart of home, around a fire and kitchen table in Easton, in 2018. It’s now a thrice weekly club where local children muck about with old cameras, eat crumpets and learn to think like artists. Some children return as young adults and help out.
In the summer of 2025, we held a raffle and street sale to fund trips along east Bristol’s urban waterways. With a basket of props, some black and white film and a few prompts, we explored streams and brooks. Each trip we played hard, made images and ate snacks.
We took photos around Easton, Clay Bottom, Coombe Brook, Nightingale Valley and Snuff Mills. We asked ourselves: are these streams our waters? What waters our ancestors came from?
This is the most beautiful water my hand has ever touched
When answers were unknown, we observed the waters closely—counting plastics, noting insects, worms, and coins. We imagined how it would be if the waterways had feelings, thoughts and needs. We mimicked the stance of the cormorants, and told stories inspired by the streams. We birthed rivers and married trees.
Keep your fingers off the lens. Find out where this river flows from. Is this the same waters the dinosaurs drank? Why is it red? Tattoo a river on your hands and arms.
Our stories became delightfully abstract and improvised. You can see elements of these tales in the photos. We look thoughtful and wild – having serious fun can be like that.
“This is the most beautiful water my hand has ever touched,” one child called out.
Though the waterways were often unhealthy—a reminder of how little we respect these sources of life—the trips were elevating. Even when bemoaning the river’s sadness, one child exclaimed, “But look at all the life around it!”
Kitchen Table Photo Club began in 2018 and has since worked in St Pauls Adventure Playground, Lockleaze and the Dings. Children use analogue cameras — include 1/2 frame, 35mm, medium and large formats — generously donated by supporters.
While they explore technical skills like exposing, focusing and framing, these are often secondary to deep play, storytelling and learning to think like artists. Beyond the kitchen table, the club has produced films, books, and even a deck of Bewilderment Cards.
Independent. Investigative. Indispensable.
Investigative journalism strengthens democracy – it’s a necessity, not a luxury.
The Cable is Bristol’s independent, investigative newsroom. Owned and steered by more than 2,600 members, we produce award-winning journalism that digs deep into what’s happening in Bristol.
We are on a mission to become sustainable, and to do that we need more members. Will you help us get there?
Join the Cable today
