Having trouble deciding on the best spots for photography in London?
Then check out the fantastic events in the London and Watford area this month. These events are more geared towards photography, fashion and art.
Welcome to my May newsletter. It seems this year is flying fast. It’s the last month of spring as we head into summer. April has been an explosion of colour with all the floral displays. It has come much earlier than in previous years, which bodes well for a spectacular summer. Even the bluebells here in Watford were a month early, and they all seemed to happen at the same time with the cherry blossom and tulips. Last month, I did some lovely shoots with the flowers, with models Mara, Iryna and Elvira. You can check out the photos by clicking on their names.
In the month, there was my first visit to Salon Privé London, a light painting workshop on the Thames beach and many more, which can be found at the bottom of the newsletter.
You can check out my free Photography Journal on Substack for more in-depth on what I have been up to each week with photography. There is also a Substack membership, where I have been adding more Photography guides on various aspects of the industry to help photographers grow their business. You can find out what I will be adding in the next couple of months here.
Last Updated: 1st May
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If you’re a writer interested in fashion, I’m an editor on a publication on Medium called Fashion Police. I am looking for new writers; get in contact if you are interested.1s
London Fashion Day at St John’s Hyde Park – 1st
It’s the 7th edition, set within one of the city’s most atmospheric cultural spaces, and the seventh season brings together creatives, industry professionals, and media in a format that is both intimate and globally connected. This season introduces a new campaign direction, one that positions fashion not simply as a visual expression but as a language that transcends borders, spoken words, and fixed identity.
Find out more here
Watford Market Lates – 1st
All Market Lates are free entry and family-friendly. There will be music, craft beer, a pop-up bar and delicious street food, including Caribbean, Asian and Korean. Music by Scary Canary, plus face painting and a walkthrough magician from 6 pm.
Find out more here
Sakura Fair at Henden Avenue – 2nd
Nakayoshi-kai will be hosting our annual Sakura Fair, a charity market celebrating Japanese culture while supporting families in our community.
Find out more here
Yokimono Japanese Market at QE Olympic Park – 2nd & 3rd
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for a weekend of street food, cultural celebrations, football entertainment and must-see exhibitions.
Find out more here
Crayola’s World of Creativity at OXO Gallery – 2nd to 4th
Crayola World of Creativity pop-up at the OXO Gallery in London’s Southbank. It’s open from Saturday, 2 May to Monday, 4 May, so it’s the perfect way to get creative over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Whether you’re colouring, crafting or discovering something new, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Find out more here
Urban Garden Fair at Canary Wharf – 2nd to 3rd
Bring the heart of East Asia to the city… the aromas, the artistry, the sense of togetherness. For those from East Asia, it’s a place that feels like home. For everyone else, it’s a warm invitation to experience the culture, flavours, and festive spirit, all in one vibrant marketplace.
Find out more here
Little Venice Canalway Cavalcade – 2nd till 4th
A lively canal festival takes place in London’s waterways. Whether you arrive by boat or on foot, it’s an excellent day for family fun. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere with colourful crafts in various shapes and sizes, along with numerous unique stalls, an on-site bar, and tasty food options for everyone.
Find out more here
You Are Here at Southbank Centre – 3rd till 4th
Celebrating 75 years of the Southbank Centre with a vibrant, inclusive programme that looks to the future. A once-in-a-generation spectacle takes over the whole centre. Created, directed and designed by Danny Boyle, Gareth Pugh, Carson McColl and Paulette Randall, featuring a cast of thousands.
Find out more here.
May Day Parade to Trafalgar Square – 4th
From Clerkenwell Green to Trafalgar Square, where a rally will be held. starting at 1 pm (Farringdon tube station).
Find out more here
Gun salute at Hyde Park & Tower of London – 6th
To mark the anniversary of the Coronation of the King, a gun salute will boom from the two locations.
Find out more here
Skate Space 50 at Southbank Centre – 7th to 21st June
Celebrating 75 years of the Southbank Centre with a vibrant, inclusive programme that looks to the future. An exhibition explores 50 years of our Undercroft Skate Space through photography, moving image and sound.
Find out more here.
Opening Museum of Illusions at Totenham Court Road – 8th
Explore human perception hands-on through interactive illusion rooms, installations, and optical illusions. Touch, play, and capture mind-bending photos with the exhibits!
Find out more here
Hampton Court Gardens Free – 9th & 10th
Palace gardens will be open free of charge on the following dates throughout the year, with no tickets or pre-booking required. Promenade past the manicured hedges of the Privy Garden and discover historical treasures such as the Tijou screen.
Find out more here
Streatham Common Kite Day – 10th
Every May, Streatham Common transforms into a festival of colour, community and creativity. Watch world-class kite professionals perform breathtaking displays while you fly your own kite, browse local food stalls, and soak up the buzz of one of South London’s most beloved free events.
Find out more here
World Hat Day – 10th
Worldwide celebration of hat culture, style & self-expression.
Find out more here
Zineb Sedira Exhibition at Tate Britain – 13th to 17th January 2027
Sedira is a Franco-Algerian artist who has worked across film, photography and installation.
Find out more here
The Beautiful Brands Event at Chelsea Old Town Hall – 14th
Many NEW brands and your old favourites too, all picked to bring you the best curation of jewellery, fashion, homewares and more
Find out more here
Wimbledon Art Fair – 14th to 17th
With over 180 artists opening their studio doors, this award-winning event gives you the rare chance to explore where art is actually made, and buy original pieces directly from the creators themselves.
Find out more here
Grand Flaneur Walk 2026 at Covent Garden – 17th
The 2026 Grand Flaneur Walk takes place on Sunday, 17th May. This will be the sixth incarnation of The Chap’s saunter sans purpose during the Summer. The principal feature of the walk is that it has no purpose, timetable or destination.
Find out more here
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 at Royal Chelsea Hospital – 19th to 23rd
The annual Chelsea Flower Show, the main horticultural event of the year, usually has press day on the 18th May. Always a good event to photograph if you are into flowers and celebrities.
Find out more here
Chelsea In Bloom – 18th to 23rd
Celebrate the start of summer with a visit to Chelsea in Bloom, Chelsea’s prestigious annual floral art show and London’s largest free-to-attend festival of flowers.
Find out more here
Belgravia In Bloom – 18th to 24th
Get your fill of fabulous florals at the free Belgravia in Bloom flower festival, which will be taking place from 18 to 24 May, 2026. This year’s theme, ‘Fairy Tales of Belgravia’, will bring a sense of magic to the area, with displays inspired by nostalgia, imagination and other-worldly charm.
Find out more here
Clerkenwell Design Week – 19th to 21st
Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, making it one of the world’s most important design hubs. To celebrate this rich and diverse community, Clerkenwell Design Week has created a unique way to showcase world-leading interiors brands and emerging design talent.
Find out more here
James McNeill Whistler Exhibition at Tate Britain – 21st to 27th September
A global figure, James McNeill Whistler was an influential artist of the 19th and 20th centuries. This retrospective brings together Whistler’s work from portraits, drawings, prints and designs.
Find out more here
Colourwalk in Spitalfields Market – 21st
It is an informal gathering of colourful, creative souls who meet, dressed in their finest, to walk, talk, and strut their stuff. It is excellent for photography. This happens on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
Find out more here.
Chelsea In Bloom model shoot – 22nd
Explore Chelsea In Bloom with a model dressed in a floral dress. Chelsea in Bloom is a prestigious annual floral art show held in London’s Chelsea neighbourhood.
Find out more here
London Rathayatra – 24th
Rathayatra is a celebration of the love of God. The festival dates back to the Satya Yuga, which pre-dates ancient history. It originates from Jagannatha Puri in Orissa on India’s eastern coast. There, the festival lasts a whole week with two processions and lots of smaller events in between. Parade from 12 noon at Park Lane South.
Find out more here
Photographic Nature Walk in Cassiobury Park Peace Garden & Nature Reserve – 27th
Take a guided walk through Cassiobury Peace Garden and the Nature Reserve, led by Andrew Lalchan (a local photographer), as we explore late spring. Depending on the weather, there may be dragonflies & damselflies.
Find out more here.
Eid on the Square 2026 at Trafalgar Square – 30th
The Mayor of London’s free, annual festival returns to Trafalgar Square to mark Eid al-Adha and bring Londoners together in celebration.
Find out more here.
The Street Badass London Photo Fest – 29th to 31st
A celebration of street photography with talks and an exhibition.
Find out more here
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Samurai at British Museum – till 4th May
Explore the truth behind a thousand years of myth in this comprehensive exhibition on legendary Japanese warriors. The samurai is an iconic symbol, conjuring images of fierce fighters committed to courage, honour, and self-sacrifice. However, much of what we believe about samurai is rooted in invented tradition.
Find out more here.
Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting – till 4th May
Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting will be the UK’s most comprehensive museum exhibition to focus on the artist’s works on paper, including some works seen on display for the first time. Lucian Freud (1922-2011) achieved recognition as one of Britain’s foremost figurative painters, celebrated for his clinically raw and intensely observed portraits and nude studies.
Find out more here.
Seurat and the Sea at The Courtauld Galleries – till 17th May
This exhibition highlights the seascapes of French artist Georges Seurat (1859–1891). It is the first major Seurat-focused display in the UK in nearly 30 years. The show traces the development of his unique style using the recurring theme of the sea.
Find out more here.
Beatriz González at Barbican – till 10th May
The first UK retrospective of the pioneering Colombian artist, known for her bold work that investigates the influence and significance of everyday images. Featuring over 150 artworks, many of which are exhibited in the UK for the first time, this significant exhibition traces Beatriz González’s influential career from the 1960s to the present.
Find out more here.
Hyakko at Japan House – till 26th May 2026
Explore the beauty of everyday things in Hyakkō, a collection of almost 2,000 exquisitely hand-crafted items. Involving more than 120 artists, craftspeople and self-taught makers from across Japan, Hyakkō is a celebration of contemporary Japanese craft aesthetics.
Find out more here.
Nigerian Modernism at Tate Modern – till 10th May 2026
Nigerian Modernism tells the story of artistic networks that spanned Zaria, Ibadan, Lagos, and Enugu, as well as London, Munich, and Paris. Through groups like the Zaria Art Society and Mbari Artists’ and Writers’ Club, they fused Nigerian, African and European techniques and traditions to create vibrant, multidimensional works.
Find out more here.
Wright of Derby: From the Shadows at The National Gallery – till 10th May 2026
An exhibition celebrating Joseph Wright of Derby, a master of capturing light and shadow in paintings, often with multiple figures watching a scene unfold in candlelight, who captured the spirit of the Industrial Revolution.
Find out more here.
Water Pantanal Fire at Science Museum – till 31st May
This thought-provoking free photography exhibition reveals the fragile beauty of the Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland, and the threats to its rich wildlife.
Find out more here
Catherine Opie: To Be Seen at the National Portrait Gallery – till 31st May
Catherine Opie: To Be Seen will showcase photographic portraits by the American artist Catherine Opie. The exhibition, curated in collaboration with the artist, will be the first major museum exhibition of her work in the UK. Opie’s work questions representations of home, intimacy and family, politics, identity and power structures.
Find out more here.
Michaelina Wautier exhibition at the RA – till 21st June
Active in Brussels in the middle of the 17th century, Michaelina Wautier challenged the limits imposed on female artists at the time by working on an unusually varied range of subjects: from flowers and portraits to grand history paintings – a format usually reserved for her male counterparts.
Find out more here.
Sculpture in the City – till spring 2026
Sculpture in the City is an annual sculpture park that uses the urban realm as a rotating gallery space. The 14th Edition of Sculpture in the City will be on display from 16 July 2025 to Spring 2026, and includes 11 artworks from renowned and emerging artists alike: Ai Weiwei, Jane and Louise Wilson, Andrew Sabin, Julian Opie, Maya Rose Edwards, Samuel Ross, Richard Mackness, Elisa Artesero, Daniel Silver, and Oliver Bragg.
Find out more here.
Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture – 28th June
300 years after his death, a major new exhibition exploring one of the UK’s greatest architects – Sir John Vanbrugh (1664–1726). Hailed as ‘The Rockstar of the English Baroque’ and ‘The original starchitect’, Vanbrugh designed some of the UK’s most admired and loved country houses, including Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard.
Find out more here
Women In Print at the William Morris Gallery – till 21st June 2026
William Morris Gallery will present Women in Print: 150 Years of Liberty Textiles. Conceived in partnership with Liberty Fabrics on the occasion of the design house’s 150th anniversary, this major exhibition will highlight the pivotal role and contributions of women textile designers.
Find out more here.
David Hockney at Serpentine North Gallery – till 23rd August
The exhibition is conceived in close collaboration with the artist and brings Hockney’s celebrated ninety-metre-long frieze A Year in Normandie to London for the first time. Inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, which will be on display at the British Museum in 2026, this monumental work captures the changing seasons at the artist’s former studio in Normandy.
Find out more here
Fairy Tails at British Library – till 23rd August
Take your family on a magical adventure in a new interactive exhibition! Explore enchanted lands, magical creatures, iconic characters and timeless tales, brought to life through books, theatre costumes, puppets, pop-ups, artwork and illustrations. From the deep dark forest to the royal palace, set off on a journey through a fairy tale world. Sit down at the Three Bears’ breakfast table, tell the genie your wish, smell the wicked witch’s potions and discover lots more.
Find out more here.
Tracey Emin – A Second Life at Tate Modern – till 31st August
This landmark exhibition covers 40 years of Emin’s innovative work, featuring iconic pieces alongside previously unseen works. Through painting, video, textiles, neon, writing, sculpture, and installation, Emin persistently pushes boundaries, utilising the female body as a potent instrument to explore themes of passion, pain, and healing.
Find out more here.
Cecily Brown: Picture Making at Serpentine South – 27th till 6th September
Known for her vigorous brushwork, vivid colour and dynamic compositions, Cecily Brown presents paintings inspired by Serpentine’s unique location in Kensington Gardens, a site of personal significance to the artist. Themes of nature and park life have long shaped Brown’s formal explorations. She experiments with scale, colour and recurring motifs, such as amorous couples, woodland scenes, and uncanny nature walks.
Find out more here
Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at V&A – till 8th November
The UK’s first exhibition on Elsa Schiaparelli spans the 1920s to today, celebrating the innovative designer’s influence. It traces the fashion house’s groundbreaking origins and its evolution under current creative director Daniel Roseberry.
Find out more here.
The Last Princesses of Punjab at Kensington Palace – till 8th November
Discover the story of Punjabi princess and suffragette icon, Sophia Duleep Singh and five women who shaped her extraordinary life, in a new exhibition at Kensington Palace for 2026. Sophia and her sisters, Catherine and Bamba, her mother, Bamba Muller, grandmother Jind Kaur and godmother Queen Victoria each expressed womanhood, power, and royalty in different ways. They infused their identities and heritage into the causes they devoted themselves to, and became powerful changemakers in their own right.
Find out more here.
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