The image vs words relationship has always held a strong fascination for Danielle. At 15 she explored moving image alongside journalism and at 17 focused on documentary television. Over those years she produced several commissioned works including an alternate documentary for the annual Isle of Man TT Races and a global art installation film, which was exhibited in London and Sydney.
After graduating, Danielle worked as a film and video producer. This took her around Europe and acted as the backdrop of her early writing and photography work. The nomadic life came to a halt when she decided to move to London. There she made travel documentaries for Discovery, National Geographic and Travel Channel.
In the midst of broadcast chaos Danielle decided to test her hand at fiction. She wrote her first novel on the top deck of the number 33 bus from Camden to Ladbroke Grove. This took her into a Masters degree, where she investigated a variety of writing outlets. It was there she re-established her love for photojournalism and discovered a talent for writing for children and young adults.
Over the next year, Danielle explored the process of storytelling through words, words and images and images alone. The relationship between the two and the tangible differences that each option brings to a story, or sense of place, continues to excite her today. The results focus on bringing people and locations to life through intimate portraits and story journalism.
After exploring a variety of mediums, Danielle currently refers to herself as a creative octopus. She is currently working on several photography projects, including Fetish Portraits, her first complete young adult novel, a series of pictures books and a collaboration project that brings film, photography and young people together.
*****
Praise for Danielle
‘There is an understated profundity in some of Shaw’s work, at its best and most poignant in those captured moments of other peoples lives when in her hands the craft of making images crosses from reportage to art.’
- Michael Hodges, Time Out
*****
‘Danielle Shaw is one of the most exciting photographers to emerge in London in recent years.
The collection [Syrian Portrait] has an exciting and visual style of its own which is a tribute to Shaw’s magical eye for a fantastic image. Each frame tells a story about Syria’s rich heritage and its amazing people.’
- Yvonne Ridley, Journalist and Author