Ruth Towell Photography and Film, Peterborough (2026)

19/02/2026

Sunday marked Children’s Cancer Awareness day and commemorated this day by launching their new brand identity. Pasic has supported families affected by childhood cancer for 50 years; so it was an absolute privilege to be commissioned by Pasic and to create the photographs to accompany this new brand.

I spent a day with the team at Pasic, working with them and some of the families they support to create photographs which show both the joy and challenges that exist within the work they do. Taking a gentle approach to put children, families and staff at ease in front of the camera - with the goal of making it feel like I wasn’t even there. I always feel this translates in the images I produce, making them relatable and authentic to those viewing them.

It’s always such a joy to be able to create images that tell the stories of organisations such as Pasic. I’m aware of how important photographs are in connecting people to the work of a charity; whether it’s inspiring people to support financially, or to help put families at ease when reaching out for help by visualising the services available.

A real joy to collaborate with such a skilled team on this project:

Brand strategy — Reuben Turner
Lead brand designer - Gemma Roszkowski
Copywriting — Lizzie Russell
Designer — Emily Gorham
Photography — Ruth Towell
Animation — Emmett Green
Project Manager and Website — Bex Toms

12/02/2026

Notes from a walk.

This place feels like an extension of my garden. I don’t know how many times I’ve journeyed through its paths, must be over a thousand by now. I’m not bored of it though. It constantly grows, changes and teems with life at all levels.

This space knows my feelings; it’s where I go to process, to dream and to be - just me. It’s safe and restorative. It’s a blessing to live near, one of the very reasons why I moved here.

Nature gives us life, it’s nurtures us. So we should nurture it too. Nature gives so much more than the things that often destroy it. Respect it, and it will respect you.

11/02/2026

The question I get asked time and again as a creative is, ‘what are you working on?’

A simple and incredibly normal question, which somehow triggers an anxious shift within me. The truth is I’m working on so many things, paid work in areas that do feel important and meaningful. But not creative projects that truly spark purpose and excitement for me.

I sometimes feel ashamed, it feels like every other creative is pursuing at least a side project that brings them life. But I have three days of childcare (which I don’t want to increase) and a whole career to squeeze into that time.

The thing is, the projects that truly light my soul are the ones that feel so hard to attain right now. I’d love my heart to be filled with purpose by topics on my doorstep - but the projects that have always bought me the most excitement are the ones that have sent me far from home.

It’s not that I don’t want to travel, I do, but it’s not quite as simple as it once was. But maybe I’ve built barriers in my mind, to stop me looking for the work I love. Maybe I need to take a step, be confident, and look for something that drives that creative purpose once again.

Anyway, here’s a photo from one of the projects that filled me with that fulfilment. It’s of the lovely Abeer, an Iraqi woman living with her family in a displacement camp. She had hope of returning home, as the war had ended. The possibility of rebuilding a home with brick walls, rather than flapping tarpaulin.

I don’t know where she is now, but I do hope Abeer and her family have that security now.

22/12/2025

I met Dalya a few weeks ago, when I’d been commissioned by The Sunday Times Magazine to take her portrait. We explored her Girton College, her base in Cambridge whilst she studies her PhD, chatting and creating photographs along the way.

Once we finished taking photos, we sat down with a hot chocolate in the cafeteria. Here Dalya shared her story with me. She was a teacher in Gaza and won a scholarship to study her masters in education at Durham. It would mean leaving her daughter in Gaza for 10 months, but would be worth it to bring her newly acquired knowledge home, to share with the children she was educating. But a couple of weeks after arriving in the UK the war started and Gaza’s borders were closed. It’s been two years since Dalya has seen her young daughter, who’s currently living in a tent with her parents. Dalya has spent time and money applying for a visa to be reunited with her daughter, and she has a home ready and waiting for her in Cambridge. But, the visa process is slow and inaccessible, so whilst in principle everything should be approved, despite all Dalya’s efforts and campaigning she still does not know when she will see her daughter again.

As a mother, hearing Dalya share her story was incredibly stirring. No parent should be separated from their child in such a way. Having the privilege to take Dalya’s photos felt very important. As the magazine carrying her story dropped on people’s doorsteps yesterday, I prayed that it would be read by those who can make a difference and have the power to reunite Dalya and her daughter very soon.

10/12/2025

Life’s been busy, so I’m only just getting round to sharing these photos from the beautiful island of Malta. Travelling with a toddler means my hands are often very full, so my camera gets left in it’s bag. But it was nice to have a couple of moments on this trip where I could grab my camera again. There’s something freeing about taking photos just for me, rather than for a client or brief.

So here’s a few frames from Malta. Enjoy and soak in the warmth and sunshine as northern Europe is in the midst of winter.

23/10/2025

Hello, it’s been a little while since I’ve posted on the grid. Life has been busy, for which I am truly grateful. After a few months of silence work-wise, it’s now swung the other way. So then social media falls to the wayside, while I live in the present and let go of the need to update and impress.

There’s a lot I could talk about, my mind is full of thoughts and ponderings from this season of motherhood and working that I’m in. But maybe I should leave that for another post, when I’ve had time to work out the right words to share…

So here’s a little photo, from a trip I once took to Morocco. Autumn had passed back home by the time I was here, but in the Atlas Mountains it was in full swing. The year I lived autumn twice 🍁

19/08/2025

I’ve put off sharing this for a while, because I wasn’t sure if I was truly able to commit to this challenge. After spending the last few months wiped out with glandular fever and multiple bouts of tonsillitis, I’m so proud to announce that I’m now well enough to start training for the to raise money for .church community action projects: , Care Zone & Peterborough Food Pantry.

If you know me, you’ll know I’ve ran a few half marathons in the past - in fact this race will mark 10 years since I first ran my first ever one, which happened to also be the Great Eastern Run. But a lot changes in a decade, and the last couple of years have been particularly challenging as running took a back seat during pregnancy, c-section recovery and early motherhood.

Before becoming a mum, I could go for a long run whenever I felt like it. Nowadays I have to get up before my daughter wakes - tying my running shoes whilst her and my husband are fast asleep. Any toddler parent will tell you this is a real sacrifice!

So please have a read of my story through the link below. I’d love it if you could sponsor me - supporting this incredible work that is done through Kingsgate Community Church’s Community Action projects.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ruth-towell?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=CL

17/07/2025

Photographing ‘normal’ people is my favourite thing to do, but occasionally I’m asked to photograph people who are a little experienced being in front of the camera. Although often these opportunities are slightly higher pressure due to busy schedules and short windows of time to take the photos.

When commissioned me to photograph the cover article with for their most recent issue, I had no more than ten minutes with Bear (who was genuinely lovely) to get a cover image and portraits to accompany the article. I quite like rising to the challenge of time pressure though, it’s something I’m used to in both my portrait and documentary work. Planning ahead helps a lot, so does knowing my cameras well and being used to working in varied locations and lighting condition.

Thanks to for the commission - so happy with how the photos look in print 👌🏻

15/07/2025

Is anyone else done with everything looking the same, sounding the same, feeling the same? Especially in an age where AI is used as a way of speeding up ‘creativity’ by throwing out the same ideas in new disguises.

Creativity is a wild concept, it’s not predictable (as much as I wish it could be!). A creative idea cannot be rushed, it takes a lifetime of experiences to develop inspiration. When something is created carefully and lovingly, it has soul that resonates deeply with others.

This is why, when I take on a project, I give you the creativity I’ve nurtured thought my life. I’ll devote time to developing concepts, reading briefs and creating the work. I don’t take shortcuts, because I want to give you my best and create something that is unique, connecting people with your vision.

In a world full of AI fatigue, come back to working with real people, to gain real connection.

29/05/2025

I love how food connects us. Cooking, eating, sharing food is an experience that transcends cultures and boundaries. Most of my fondest memories travelling revolve around food, experiencing new flavours and learning about local recipes.

Whilst travelling in Iraq, on assignment for , I met Fatima, a wonderfully hospitable woman. She welcomed me into her home, we chatted in different languages and body language as she cooked in a kitchen decorated with ornate pots and glasses.

This was a few years ago now, but whenever I think back to this day I always find myself smiling! The joy of shared food experiences!

21/05/2025

Todays , the perfect opportunity to root through my archives from the assignment I worked on with in Bangladesh’s tea gardens.

As you sip on your cup of tea today, take a moment to think about the people who helped bring it to you. Why not learn more about this by clicking the link in my bio to see the stories that came out of my time in Bangladesh…

Ruth Towell Photography and Film

19/02/2026

12/02/2026

11/02/2026

22/12/2025

10/12/2025

23/10/2025

19/08/2025

17/07/2025

15/07/2025

29/05/2025

21/05/2025

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