“This was a deeply affecting project for me to work on. These women are all so impressive and I wanted to express that in each portrait. One-on-one portraits sessions like this are very intimate. What was crucial to me was that that each woman trusted me, that they met me halfway so they felt we were in the process together.

Even more important than technical proficiency in photography is the ability to create human engagement between the photographer and the subject. I've been shooting portraits for more than 20 years and I know that not every photographer wants or needs that connection to the subject, but it's important to me and it's crucial that it be a genuine connection. So in a short time - 20 minutes - I tried to get to know each Fellow, find about their work, understand what they do, get a sense of their passion for their research or field of study. Many of them had a lot of humility, considering themselves to be part of a greater enterprise or a team. I told them, ‘There's a reason you're having your picture taken as a Fellow of Corpus Christi College. So for this time it’s all about you, acknowledging your own brilliance and letting it shine through.’ So by the time I actually take the picture, they are focussed entirely on themselves, feeling confident and comfortable. I hope that comes through in the images.”