Photo London opens today and it’s the largest edition yet, jointly marking ten years of the fair and 25 years of its host, Somerset House. The event brings together leading and emerging photographers, galleries and publishers to celebrate international photographic talent.

This year sees over 131 exhibitors and 400 artists divided into curated sections. London is at the heart of the anniversary edition, as noted in special exhibition, London Lives, which is an ode to the city and a celebration of the fair’s ten years in the capital. Upstairs is Charlotte Jansens’ Discovery section, which she describes as a “bold reflection of where we are now in the world [as the works] confront the realities we’re facing,” showcasing imagery that focuses on themes like global conflict, gender and displacement. New section Positions provides a platform for artists without representation to exhibit their work in a traditional art fair format.

We’ve picked out some of our favourite exhibiting photographers; take a look at our recommendations below.

Lola & Pani – Palm* Studios, London
The work of artist duo Lola & Pani (Lola Paprocka and Pani Paul) is on show in the Discovery section in the booth of Palm* Studios, a publishing house owned by Paprocka herself which showcases the work of artists and photographers globally. 

On display at the fair are three images from Bumps, Lola & Pani’s 2024 photo book that explores adolescence. The book comprises 131 photos taken by the pair in various parts of the world across a ten year period. Paprocka is Polish; Paul grew up in Byron Bay, Australia. Whilst their personal experiences of youth may have differed, the photographs offer a universally nostalgic view of teenagehood.

Julie Bullard by Nadia Lee Cohen and Martin Parr – IDEA
Released today at Dover Street Market for Photo London is Julie Bullard, a work of photographic fiction by iconic artists Nadia Lee Cohen and Martin Parr. The book – which resembles a late seventies photo album and is published by IDEA – comprises 101 photographs that tell a story based on Cohen’s childhood babysitter, Julie Bullard; she was, to the six-year-old at the time, the epitome of glamour. Each photograph is taken by Martin Parr, with Julie played by Nadia Lee Cohen, complete with a prosthetic nose.

Karim El Hayawan – Positions
Born and raised in Cairo, visual artist and interior architect Karim El Hayawan’s practice is a meditation on collective experiences. Much of his work has been captured wandering the streets of his home city.

Collecting Stars, on view in Positions, is an exploration of the role of film stars in daily life. Cropping up on sale at Cairo’s Saturday market, star-studded magazines – as seen through El Hayawan’s lens – interrogate the feeling of familiarity that famous faces offer passers-by, despite a lack of personal connection.

Ewen Spencer – London Lives
Renowned British photographer Ewen Spencer predominantly captures youth subcultures. He began his career as a nightlife photographer for 90s magazine Sleazenation, taking images of the UK after-hours. 

On show as part of London Lives are four photographs taken from UKG (2013), a documentation of the early days of the UK Garage scene. The images shine a light on club culture of the time and with that, youth culture, documenting them at their most free.

Adam Rouhana – Positions
Palestinian-American photographer Adam Rouhana focuses on the daily experiences of Palestinian people, addressing the beauty and complexity of everyday life.

Exhibited in Positions are two photographs from Before Freedom (2022), a body of work that looks at quieter moments, simultaneously rejecting a depiction of Palestine that stems from a lens of conflict, and yet inherently acknowledging the duality of life that comes from existing under oppression. 

Margriet Smulders – Contour Gallery, Rotterdam
Dutch photographer Margriet Smulders uses large mirrors, hand-blown glass objects and elaborate fabric to construct floral still lifes in which plants appear to be floating on water. Her practice is shaped by a turbulent upbringing, and yet recalls the god Eros from Greek mythology as the antithesis to despair. Smulders’ flowers, captured just prior to decay, suggest a liminal moment of vivid life, on display with Contour Gallery as part of Photo London’s Discovery section.

Hannah Starkey – London Lives
British photographer Hannah Starkey takes staged photographs of women in urban locations, exploring the interplay between individuals and their surroundings. Shown in five images as part of special exhibition London Lives, Starkey’s subjects “are visibly strong characters,” as the exhibition text states that “it’s hard to be a Londoner; it takes resilience and resolve. How nice to be shown those qualities in repose and calm.”

Photo London runs until 18th May at Somerset House.