Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
British photographer and filmmaker #AlysTomlinson joins us for a thoughtful conversation about her powerful project documenting Mother Vera. In this interview, Tomlinson reflects on the experience of #photographing life inside an Orthodox convent and the quiet intensity of working with a subject whose life is devoted to faith, solitude, and spiritual discipline. We will show clips from her BAFTA nominated film, #mothervera.
Through her lens, Tomlinson explores themes of devotion, identity, and the human search for meaning. The project focuses on Mother Vera, a Russian Orthodox nun living in Belarus, whose story offers a rare and intimate look at monastic life in the modern world. Tomlinson discusses how the relationship developed, the sensitivity required to photograph within a religious space, and what she learned from spending time with someone whose life is defined by contemplation and belief.
Known for her deeply considered portraiture and documentary work, Tomlinson shares how this project fits within her wider photographic practice and why stories like Mother Vera’s continue to resonate with audiences today.
🎥 In this interview we discuss:
• The story behind documenting Mother Vera
• Photographing within a religious community
• Building trust with subjects
• Faith, solitude, and portraiture
• The wider themes in Tomlinson’s work
📷 Subscribe for more conversations with leading photographers.
👍 Like, comment, and share if you enjoyed the interview.
You can view more of her work here: alystomlinson.co.uk
#AlysTomlinson #DocumentaryPhotography #PortraitPhotography #PhotographyInterview #MotherVera
British photographer and filmmaker #AlysTomlinson joins us for a thoughtful conversation about her powerful project documenting Mother Vera. In this interview, Tomlinson reflects on the experience of #photographing life inside an Orthodox convent and the quiet intensity of working with a subject whose life is devoted to faith, solitude, and spiritual discipline. We will show clips from her BAFTA nominated film, #mothervera.
Through her lens, Tomlinson explores themes of devotion, identity, and the human search for meaning. The project focuses on Mother Vera, a Russian Orthodox nun living in Belarus, whose story offers a rare and intimate look at monastic life in the modern world. Tomlinson discusses how the relationship developed, the sensitivity required to photograph within a religious space, and what she learned from spending time with someone whose life is defined by contemplation and belief.
Known for her deeply considered portraiture and documentary work, Tomlinson shares how this project fits within her wider photographic practice and why stories like Mother Vera’s continue to resonate with audiences today.
🎥 In this interview we discuss:
• The story behind documenting Mother Vera
• Photographing within a religious community
• Building trust with subjects
• Faith, solitude, and portraiture
• The wider themes in Tomlinson’s work
📷 Subscribe for more conversations with leading photographers.
👍 Like, comment, and share if you enjoyed the interview.
You can view more of her work here: alystomlinson.co.uk
#AlysTomlinson #DocumentaryPhotography #PortraitPhotography #PhotographyInterview #MotherVera
