A new outdoor photography exhibition celebrating extraordinary individuals from Wandsworth and Merton is set to open this week, bringing powerful portraits to the heart of the community.
Titled Champions of Merton and Wandsworth, the project features ten large-scale images displayed on towering plinths in public spaces—offering a bold, human-centered visual experience that strips away distraction to spotlight the stories behind each face.
The exhibition is the work of photographer Ben Queenborough, commissioned by the Wimbledon Foundation, the charitable arm of the All England Club. While Queenborough may now be based in Northumberland, he’s no stranger to London—having spent two decades living and working across the capital, and continuing to travel regularly to the city for his photography assignments.
Setting the tone
Speaking about the Wandsworth leg of the exhibition, Queenborough described a unique approach to photographing each of the ten local “champions,” all of whom are affiliated with charities supported by the Foundation. “They really wanted to make it about the person, not their job or environment,” he said. “So instead of photographing them in their workplaces or out in the community, everything was stripped back—it’s just them, head and shoulders, no distractions.”
Each person was photographed during a dedicated studio-style session at the iconic Wimbledon grounds. “We gave them the full treatment—hair and makeup, time to settle in and feel special. The idea was to let them slowly relax so their personalities could shine through,” Queenborough explained.
The final portraits vary in tone and emotion. Some subjects are beaming; others appear thoughtful, even pensive. Queenborough was intentional about not creating a uniform set of glossy, smiling faces. “We didn’t want ten cheesy headshots,” he said. “I tried to get a mix of expressions and moods. Some are laughing, some are serious, and some are looking directly into the camera. That variety gives it depth.”
To enhance the individuality of each subject while maintaining a cohesive look, Queenborough also used subtly different backdrop shades—mostly dark and moody tones—to frame the portraits. The result is a compelling visual experience that connects viewers directly to the person in front of the lens.
Placed on plinths
The exhibition itself will be displayed on four-sided plinths, each towering over two meters high, with two portraits per plinth. In Wandsworth, the installation will be placed in a prominent public space, offering passersby an unmissable moment to pause and reflect. Alongside the photographs will be an “explainer plinth” providing more context on the individuals and the purpose of the project.
Among the standout portraits is Temi Johnson, a disability sports coach, whose infectious smile left a lasting impression on Queenborough. “Some of the guys just had these amazing smiles,” he said. “Temi in particular really lit up the lens.”
The ten featured individuals represent a broad spectrum of local community work, including support for the elderly, mentoring for young people, disability sports, and grassroots social initiatives—each selected for their dedication and impact within Wandsworth and Merton.
The champions
Teresa Harris, one of the Wandsworth residents featured in the exhibition, exemplifies this spirit of community dedication. In 2014, Harris founded Learn to Love to Read, a literacy charity aimed at supporting children who find learning to read challenging and equipping parents to offer support at home. Reflecting on the transformative power of reading, Harris noted, “Reading opens so many doors, and I’m passionate about those doors being opened to as many people as possible.”
Ava Little and Nathan Maraj are two Merton residents whose portraits tell stories of personal resilience and community contribution. Ava was just five years old when the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative (WJTI) visited her primary school in Mitcham and invited her to attend free weekly tennis coaching at the All England Club. Fourteen years later, Ava is a qualified Level 1 tennis coach and part of the WJTI team, introducing children to tennis and the benefits sport can bring. Reflecting on her journey, Ava shared: “The WJTI helped me to believe that anything is possible, and I want to pass that on to the kids I’m now working with and tell them everything is possible and to never give up.”
Nathan Maraj has had to adjust to a new way of living after beginning to lose his eyesight in his twenties. Supported by Merton Vision, Nathan now helps others beginning their sight loss journey to adapt.
For Queenborough, whose career has included everything from elite sports photography at Wimbledon and FIFA events to agricultural fieldwork for the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, this exhibition marks a creative shift toward intimate, people-centered portraiture. “I’ve been doing more and more of this kind of work—portraits and lifestyle shoots—and I really love it,” he said.
The modern world – where everyone has a camera
Asked about the impact of mobile photography in today’s image-saturated world, Queenborough is surprisingly positive. “Everyone’s got a camera now, and that’s great. Phones can take amazing pictures,” he said. “But there’s still a real difference when you’ve got a professional who knows how to control every element. It’s about consistency, quality, and knowing how to shape light and expression to tell a story. That’s where the craft comes in.”
Ultimately, Queenborough believes it’s not the camera that makes the picture—it’s the person holding it. “You could give ten photographers the same subject and get ten completely different takes. That’s the beauty of it.”
Champions of Merton and Wandsworth will be on display at Southside Shopping Centre in Wandsworth from April 7 to 21, and in The Piazza, Wimbledon, from May 6 to 20. Whether you’re a casual passerby or a photography enthusiast, the exhibition offers a moment to connect with the real stories and faces behind local community impact—one portrait at a time.
