Having grown up in Belfast he continues to spend much time working on projects there. Laurence is fascinated by the changing society, culture and landscape of both Northern and the Republic of Ireland. Following undergraduate studies at Edinburgh and postgraduate studies at Durham he achieved his qualified teacher status whilst working at an Academy School in Bolton near Manchester. During his time at the school he worked with many disadvantaged young people and gained experience of the issues and opinions of young people living in a changing society. Following this he embarked on a Masters degree in Professional Photography in Paris.
Returning from Paris Laurence spent a winter in Belfast working on personal projects and rediscovering the city, country and its people. Having seen so many specialist artists and artisans in Paris. He met and photographed both individual artists of many disciplines along with the engineers and volunteers of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland at their Whitehead workshop.
Currently his work and life is split between London and Belfast. Lecturing at Speos Photography School London and providing technical consulting to other professional photographers. Laurence has been responsible for curating and printing for professional photographers across Europe as well as providing specific technical expertise to professional photographers around the world. Laurence photographs for both commercial and corporate clients which allows him the freedom to work on his own personal projects and collaborations with charities and not for profit organisations (i.e. The Living Furniture Project). Laurence’s work focus’s on the interface between people and society, with a view to highlighting the lives of individuals in order to both challenge social stereotypes.
The Belonging Project was initiated by Laurence through initial contact with Jolena Flett of the Migrant Centre of Northern Ireland. Without which, this Project would not have been possible. The Belonging Project since its inception has had grant funding e.g.it has been supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through its Intercultural Arts Grant as well a grant from Belfast City Council under its Good Relations Grants. The Community Relations Council have also provided funding. The Belonging Project is most grateful to all of the funders, individuals, organisations and the provision of venues for its exhibitions. We have been invited to exhibit in Southbank Centre London, Stormont Parliament Buildings Long Gallery, Skainos Centre, Belfast City Hall, Linen Hall Library, Garden of Reflection Derry and many different Public Libraries across Northern Ireland.