Reimagined Battle of Waterloo Photographs

Unseen Waterloo is a photographic project I developed to mark the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo, exploring how we remember the soldiers who fought in this pivotal conflict. As the last major battle before the invention of photography, the absence of Battle of Waterloo photographs of actual soldiers prompted me to create Unseen Waterloo: The Conflict Revisited, a series of imagined portraits capturing the essence of the men who might have fought on that historic day.

Over several years, I photographed hundreds of historical re-enactors from across Europe who dedicate themselves to meticulously re-creating the Battle of Waterloo. By setting up a mobile studio on the actual battlefield during re-enactment events, I aimed to produce portraits that present these re-enactors as the soldiers they portray. The attention to detail in their authentic Napoleonic uniforms—every button, badge, and insignia—is extraordinary, adding a layer of realism to the images. This commitment to historical accuracy allows the re-enactor portraits to serve as a bridge between the past and present, giving faces to the nameless soldiers of history.

The portraits are devoid of action and context, focusing solely on the faces and expressions of the subjects. By removing them from the chaos of battle and placing them in a studio setting, I hoped to invite viewers to connect on a personal level with those who lived through the turmoil of war. This approach emphasises the humanity behind the historical narrative, encouraging reflection on themes of sacrifice, duty, and the human cost of conflict.

One of the central themes of Unseen Waterloo is exploring how and whom we remember. The project fills a visual gap in our historical records by providing historical portrait photography that honours these forgotten soldiers. The work culminated in a monograph titled Unseen Waterloo: The Conflict Revisited, published to coincide with an exhibition at Somerset House in London for the battle’s bicentenary. The exhibition and the book aim to shed light on the personal narratives behind a historical event often understood only in terms of strategy and outcome. Through these fine art portraits, viewers are encouraged to consider the individual lives that collectively shaped the course of history.

This project was a particularly significant milestone in my career, blending my reportage roots with a more stylised, contemplative approach. Moving beyond my earlier documentary photography, Unseen Waterloo captures the tension between tradition and modernity. By focusing on the last conflict before photography, the series offers a poignant reflection on heritage, resilience, and the human spirit, drawing the viewer into a world that feels both distant and immediate.

By emphasising the emotional and artistic elements of remembrance, I sought to move away from practical details and instead highlight the personal connections we have to those who shaped our history. The detailed uniforms, the expressions on the faces, and the intimate setting all work together to create powerful battlefield portraits that speak to the enduring impact of the Battle of Waterloo.