Lily Rose Thomas

Today’s Brand New Art is London photographer **Lily Rose Thomas*, who’s raw and personal pictures find beauty in the most ordinary places. Capturing cuts and bruises, grey skies and cold waters, and portraying the naked body in its least glossy and glamorous form, Lily’s photos portray reality. Check out her work and interview below:

Can you introduce your work in three words?

I’m not sure I could narrow it down to three words. My personal work I kind of see as a self-portrait. Even if it isn’t of me, its about me, who I’m with, where I am. There is a tone. Everything is intimate, and there is always a sense of narrative.

Do you always shoot on 35mm? What do you think is special about it?

Always. I first started shooting on 35mm. I think it has made me a more discerning photographer - if you have one roll of film, you don’t get too many chances. I like the feeling of film, it has a sensitivity that I can never find with digital.

It says in your bio that you’ve worked with The Mushpit and LAW, both amazing independent magazines. How do you feel about the future of independent print publishing?

I think people will always want to make print and buy print. I think even more so now that everything is so digital - you really value the importance of something tangible. Whether it is a magazine or a book, its a way to put things together that isn’t possible online. It just isn’t the same as having something physical to look at. I’ve made one zine, ‘Heartbreak City’, and am currently working on another. These kind of things operate at a loss - it is definitely something people do for love.

Our Muse issue is out now, do you have a muse?

I’ve had lots of different muses, but they know who they are.