Fiona's portrait of Eddie Izzard won best portrait at the British Photograpy Awards

Fiona’s portrait of Eddie Izzard won the people’s choice for best portrait at The British Photography Awards

Eddie Izzard, Corporate Queer

This is what Fiona and Eddie have to say about the portrait:

Eddie Izzard is one of the UK's most brilliant actors and comedians and is trans. She was very keen to be part of CorporateQueer and to share more about he work-life balance to inspire others to be their whole selves. I made this photograph of her using available light outside the Garrick Theatre, where she was working performing her one-woman show of Great Expectations. She chose the location and background to tell the viewer more of her story. The blue dress, shoes and jacket look so striking against the cream of the old theatre and the warm late afternoon sun. It was like shooting a fashion shoot, Eddie has a wonderful personal style and way of working with the camera.

To accompany her picture in the exhibition Eddie wrote: "When I came out in 1985, I realised that being Trans was almost invisible in society and that we were not considered part of our society (we didn’t even have the word Trans then). I also knew I was gender fluid but we didn’t even have that phrase back then. So I decided just to exist and get my career started but do all my creative endeavours whilst being Trans and gender fluid, rather than because of being them. Almost forty years later I am an actor (playing male roles and Trans roles) and I am a surreal comedian, performing in a total of four languages. I am also a multiple marathon runner and a political activist and hope to be a member of Parliament as soon as I am able. Life for LGBTQ+ people is way better now than it was when I first came out, but we still have a way to go. So I encourage all people to be their authentic selves, to be proud and stand their ground in public and in the workplace. Fortune favours the brave!"

CorporateQueer is an exhibition and book celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and their allies and encouraging employers to invite everyone to bring their whole-self to work. CorporateQueer was on display in the Houses of Parliament in February 2023 for LGBTQ+ History Month and was shown in Guildhall Yard to celebrate Pride in The City of London in June 2023.