Over the past few days, I’ve had the privilege of photographing a series of events in Lincoln marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. These #VE80 commemorations brought together people from all backgrounds to honour those who served, and it’s been both humbling and rewarding to be involved.
The effort and care poured into organising these events by the teams at the International Bomber Command Centre and VE80 Lincoln was clear in every detail. The programme covered a remarkable range: from remembrance services and beacon lighting ceremonies to formal dinners, community gatherings and even a rugby tournament. Each moment presented a unique story to tell through photography.
A real highlight was photographing the striking poppy installation by Darius Sirmulevicius. These handcrafted ceramic poppies are available to buy, and proceeds go toward supporting three fantastic causes: the Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial Education Programmes, the British West India Regiments Heritage Trust, and the Wooden Spoon Trust. You can order yours by visiting https://bit.ly/LancPoppy.
Beyond the imagery, what stood out most were the people. I had the chance to meet veterans, families, volunteers, and organisers – all with their own powerful connections to the commemorations. Their stories gave depth to every frame and reminded me why this kind of work matters so much.
Witnessing communities coming together in remembrance was a strong reminder of the unity and respect that these shared moments can inspire. It’s been a genuine honour to be part of it and to capture memories that will hopefully last beyond the events themselves.
