Photography show highlighting the lives of Men's Matters members opens in Maidenhead

A photography show highlighting the rich and varied lives of the members of a social wellbeing group for older men has opened its doors in Maidenhead.

The show, entitled Lives Well Lived – Older Men in Focus, saw professional photographer Ian Longthorne work with Men’s Matters across Maidenhead and Windsor to create 42 portraits of members to exhibit.

Men’s Matters grew out of a men’s cookery class, which was set up by a local housing association in 2015.

It was established as registered charity in 2017, with the late Sir Michael Parkinson becoming its patron.

There are more than 50 members across the Maidenhead and Windsor groups who meet on a weekly basis.

Paul Samuels, Men’s Matters trustee, said the group’s core mission is ‘to be the cheerleader for older men’.

“Men's identity is generally invested in their work.

“When they leave work, or their partner dies, who are they? The reality of course is that they have immense potential as wonderful human beings.

“The idea of the photography show was to let that brilliance be seen so they feel greater value for their own lives and in turn are valued by the community.”

Paul paid tribute to Ian being the ‘creative influence’ behind the project, adding members trusted that ‘he wanted to create the very best show’.

Ian has been photographing Men’s Matters events for a number of years both as a staff and freelance photographer for the Advertiser and Paul approached him about putting together an exhibition featuring the members’ portraits.

The portraits, which includes one of the late Sir Michael Parkinson’s son Mike Parkinson, are black and white and have a caption detailing that member’s work life and the activities they are involved in now.

The show also features some candid colour photos, shot during group meetings, and a group photo of each of the two groups.

Ian said: “The photography for the exhibition started in January with three sessions in Windsor and three in Maidenhead. I set up a mini studio for the portraits and shot black and white with a Leica D-LUX 8.

“My aim was that each portrait would have a different lighting set-up on a white or black background but that they would all form a set that works together to show the individual members as well as the Men’s Matters collective group.

“They are all characters and I think that by adding their own words in the caption it brings each portrait to life.

“They’ve written a little about their own history or what the Men’s Matters group means to them.”

Paul added: “I love Ian's photography, and I knew he would do a brilliant job.”

The exhibition will be open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 3pm until Saturday, June 21.

The official launch will take place on Tuesday, June 3 at the unit in the Nicholsons Centre with Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds and Royal Borough mayor Cllr Mandy Brar.

Paul and fellow Men’s Matters trustee Tim Walker will also be speaking at the event to welcome guests.

Paul added: “I hope the show will help, even in a small way, of seeing older men in a fresh light.”

Ian added: “It’s been a decent challenge to get to this point but rewarding.

“The men’s lives do deserve to be highlighted, and they deserve to be recognised for what they’ve contributed to society.

“These portraits hope to respect this and remind us that when we get to our 70s, 80s and 90s there’s still more to enjoy.

“This project was totally a joint effort with Paul and Tim but the members all took part with enthusiasm.”

Ian thanked Pete Glowski of South Bank Photographic Services for his ‘quality printing’, Danny Hulse who designed the ‘stunning’ flyer and invites, fellow photographer Mike Swift for the photo of him and Nicholsons Centre manager Jane Wright and her staff ‘for all their support’.