In Safe Hands: one of Jackie Morrison’s photographs which now form a permanent exhibit at Mayday Hospital
The photography of a Croydon woman who used to work in the NHS is now part of a permanent exhibition at Mayday Hospital.
Jackie Morrison is a qualified nurse and health visitor with more than 30 years’ experience working in the NHS.
But two years ago the mother of two resigned from her full-time career to pursue her passion for photography. Morrison’s decision was influenced in part by impending service changes, but also by her desire to achieve something else in her life. Since when, her work has been publicly exhibited and she has won awards.
Her background in nursing and children’s services has influenced her photography, which celebrates life from the beginning to end.
She specialises in pregnancy, births, children and family portraits, events and funeral photography.
Funeral photography is a fairly new concept in Britain. “It provides personal, emotional and unique memories of a loved one’s final journey and is our chance to pay our respects, say goodbye, reminisce, unite and celebrate their life,” Morrison says.
Morrison always had a passion for photography and was introduced to the art by her parents. She enrolled on a City & Guilds course for a year and ended up studying photography a further three years, mostly through CALAT, Croydon’s adult learning service.
She achieved distinctions in Photographic Imaging in her City & Guilds courses and was awarded runner-up in a photography competition organised by City & Guilds in 2012, with her winning image being exhibited at the Morley Gallery in London.
Morrison has also exhibited with six other artists from the Thornton Heath Arts Week, an annual event which seeks to raise community awareness of art and local artists.
Jackie Morrison: carving a second career as a photographer
Morrison now has eight images on permanent exhibition, showcasing a pregnant woman and her child’s water birth, at Croydon University Hospital.
The images were provided to enhance the newly decorated maternity unit and represent an element of the cultural diversity of Croydon.
Morrison explains the significance of her “In Safe Hands” picture, one of those on display at Mayday’s maternity unit: “The hands represent the union of the couple, their anticipation for the safe delivery of their baby, the expectant father showing that he is supporting his partner and their unborn child and the expectant mother acknowledging his support.”
The funeral picture is an interesting study in this relatively uncommon subject area. “This image was taken at my great uncle’s funeral last year in Cardiff,” Morrison says.
“It depicts Reverend Jarel Robinson-Brown leading the procession, followed by the funeral director, pall bearers carrying uncle to his final resting place with family and friends.”
For more about the photography of Jackie Morrison, visit her website: www.jackiemorrisonphotography.co.uk
Jackie Morrison is pioneering an uncommon branch of very personal photography, at funerals
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