THE STANDOUT QUEER PHOTOGRAPHY AT PHOTO LONDON 2026
read: 2 minsWords: Matt ford 
Photo London, the UK's premier photography fair promises to showcase the best work from galleries across the globe, including new and (many) vintage prints, alongside up and coming talent and photo books from an enormous selection of art publishers. While the fair can seem like an insider's industry affair, once you're in, even photography enthusiasts new to the art form can enjoy an immersive look at a wide breadth of work and buy prints to suit (almost) all budgets.
From a photographer's point of view it is an essential look at what the photography art market is offering, what the public are responding to and an opportunity to get inspired by viewing the best work in the flesh, completely offline.
One notable draw this year is Steven Meisel showing work taken in London during the 90s. If you haven't heard of Meisel, think Madonna's Sex book, Vogue Italia. His style bridges the gap between classic 1970s high fashion and more contemporary, edgy photography. His work succeeds in being both modern and timeless at the same time.
(He had me at Madonna.)
As this is my first year at Photo London, I wanted to give myself an agenda: to find some standout queer photographers and/or artworks, and to see if I can find some inspiration for my own work which is ever evolving.
Although the scale of the fair becomes quite overwhelming, I wasn't disappointed with the selection.
DaviD Hockney
By David Baily.
Hockney is is one my favourite artists, his big splash painting was an unashamed flaunt of a queer lifestyle before It was really considered acceptable, so seeing his portrait from a rare collection of prints made by Bailey at the time of shooting is a rare treat. Camera Eye gallery
Kasser Vater (from L Form), 2024By Belén Romero GunsetThe work explores past and present STEREOTYPES REGARDING the lesbian image.From the Ungallery
Just the Two of Us, 2026Mixed media collage and cyanotype on panelBy Don JointChilds Gallery
East Village Early morning. NY 1985Joseph RodriguezGalerie Bene Taschen
Outside the Vault, a popular S&M club, NY 1984Joseph RodriguezGalerie Bene Taschen
From the purpose of light seriesMissan HarrimenRepresented by hope 93
Titles unknownShen WeiGalerie Bacqueville
Here are a few extra works that have caught my eye.
Three works by LAKE VEREALake Verea is a duo of artists, formed in 2005 by Francisca Rivero-Lake Cortina (born in 1973 in Mexico City, Mexico) and Carla Verea Hernández (born in 1978, in Mexico City, Mexico)Represented by bendana-pinel
The ballad of eternal youthWanda Martin x Gábor MartinA father and daughter PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLABORATION. 