Telling Your Story:

About the Project

Hello,

My name is Dr Sajad Ahmad. Alongside my work as a GP, I am also a documentary photographer with a long-standing interest in storytelling and the lives of ordinary people.

I am currently developing a long-term photography project exploring how health conditions affect people's everyday lives. This project seeks to move beyond statistics and diagnoses, focusing instead on the human experiences behind them.

Every person has a story. Living with a chronic illness, disability, caring responsibility, mental health condition, or complex health challenge can shape daily life in ways that are rarely seen or understood by others. Through photography and conversation, I hope to document some of these experiences with honesty, dignity and compassion.

What Am I Looking For?

For healthcare workers and friends: Please share with anyone you feel may be interested in taking part

I am looking for people who are willing to share part of their lives and experiences.

You might be:

• Living with one or more long-term health conditions

• Caring for a family member or loved one

• Managing disability or chronic pain

• Living with diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, cancer, arthritis, or another health condition

• Experiencing challenges accessing healthcare or support services

• Living with mental health difficulties

• Navigating the impact that health has on work, family life, relationships or daily routines

There is no requirement for your story to fit a particular category. What matters most is that you feel you have a story you would like to share.

How Does It Work?

This is not a one-off photoshoot.

I believe meaningful photography comes from spending time with people, building trust, and understanding their lives.

If you choose to take part, I may spend time with you over several visits, depending on what feels comfortable and appropriate. This could include:

• Talking about your experiences

• Spending time with you at home

• Accompanying you on everyday activities such as shopping, attending appointments, walking, socialising or hobbies

• Observing aspects of your daily routine

• Making photographs in a natural and candid way as your story unfolds

There are no expectations to perform or pose. The aim is simply to document real experiences as they occur.

Your Choice and Your Control

Participation is entirely voluntary.

You will always be treated with respect and dignity.

You may:

• Ask questions at any time

• Decline any photograph

• Request that photography stops during a visit

• Withdraw from the project at any stage before publication

• Decide which aspects of your life you do or do not wish to share

Formal consent will be obtained before any photography takes place and before any images are publicly exhibited, published or shared.

What May Happen With The Photographs?

The project may result in:

• A photography exhibition

• A printed photo book

• Online galleries

• Documentary articles or publications

• Educational presentations about health and lived experience

Any use of photographs will be discussed with participants, and appropriate consent procedures will be followed.

Why Am I Doing This?

Much of what is written about health focuses on diagnoses, treatments and numbers.

Far less attention is given to the realities of everyday life: the morning routines, the adaptations, the frustrations, the resilience, the relationships and the moments of hope that often go unseen.

This project aims to create a more human understanding of health by allowing people to tell their own stories in their own environment.

Interested in Taking Part?

If you would like to learn more or register your interest, please complete the form below.

Completing the form does not commit you to taking part. It simply allows me to contact you for an informal conversation about the project.

I welcome enquiries from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

Thank you for considering being part of this work.

Dr Sajad Ahmad
SAJADAHMADPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM