Photographic Reportage: An approach to capturing the spirit of Jaywick
I’m currently working on my latest photographic reportage project, which is all about the people of Jaywick Sands a small town on the north east coast of Essex just across the county border from Suffolk.
Jaywick Sands was established in the 1930s by a visionary property developer, called Frank Stedman, who was able to foresee the opportunities offered by the motor car. Stedman understood that the motor car would offer people greater freedom to travel and that Londoner’s in particular would use that freedom to roam the country and visit the seaside. To take full advantage of this new opportunity Stedman wanted to offer people a place of their own that they could visit whenever they wanted. A holiday home.
Having acquired approximately one hundred of acres of marshland adjoining a sandy beach Stedman set to work building his holiday homes and within a few years Jaywick Sands was a destination.
By 1938 Billy Butlin had opened a resort at nearby Clacton, half a mile along the sandy beach to Jaywick. Butlins helped to introduce people to this hidden treasure on the east coast. After the Blitz and because of the damage to London homes, many families moved permanently to Jaywick, even though the holiday chalets weren’t designed for permanent residence.
Jaywick grew into thriving town with nightclubs, pubs, amusement arcades, restaurants and more. Then, in 1986 Butlins closed its doors and just like any town with a dominant industry that closes, Jaywick itself slipped into decline. Without tourists to support the local economy the shops, restaurants and other small businesses started to close. It’s a spiral of decline that has been witnessed in towns across the UK where the closure of coal mines or shipbuilding or manufacturing facilities has had devastating repercussions for residents and businesses alike.
And the award for most deprived town goes to…..
Jaywick has consistently been ranked as the most deprived area in England according to government figures. A label that has attracted plenty of unwelcome and biased media attention including a Channel 5 documentary titled Benefits By The Sea.
As a result, people are naturally wary of anyone with a camera these days because the assumption is that it will be another kick in the teeth for Jaywick. It’s true that many homes are substandard but that’s because they were constructed as holiday homes over 70-90 years ago. Jaywick is a flood risk with many properties below sea level. Unemployment is said to be 56% of working age people but I’ve met a few of those who have chosen to retire in Jaywick because property is cheap so perhaps those numbers aren’t a true reflection? Of course, like any town, there is an element that is less conscious or concerned about how their properties appear and for these reasons it’s easy to focus on the less desirable attributes.
However, what is true is that many people love Jaywick. They choose to live there, they enjoy the coast, they like the quirkiness of the old ‘village’. It is a truly unique place and I want to try and capture some that throughout 2025 in a photographic reportage style that authentically portrays the other side of Jaywick that is not often reported on.
A sense of community
I’ve done many photographic reportage projects in communities but none has felt as connected and invested as Jaywick. People here support each other, the local council funds a number of community initiatives that bring people together and many in the community use their own initiative to run clubs or provide services.
I recently visited a community garden project, set-up and managed by the local council but run by volunteers who come together throughout the week to grow plants, fruit, vegetables and manage a wildlife garden.
It’s a place to meet other people, get some fresh air, use skills, learn from each other and feel connected to one’s neighbours.
Set-up in 2011 the garden was created from a piece of scrubland behind some offices and is now a haven for wildlife and the volunteers who maintain it.
People arrive at different times throughout the week and do what they can. It’s therapy, exercise and entertainment in all in one.
The other side of Jaywick – a photographic reportage story
Throughout 2025 I’m going to be returning to Jaywick at least once a month to meet a different community group and see what they do.
So far my experience of Jaywick has been nothing but positive. I’ve met great people, seen great things being done and even if some feel like the world has turned its back on Jaywick the people here are supporting each other and that’s a far more interesting photo story than some abandoned sofas and rubbish sacks.
Andrew Cameron and Photographic Reportage
I am a documentary photographer who works with retailers, the construction sector, manufacturing, and agriculture to engage audiences about change, sustainability, ways of working and project progression. I work with my clients to create compelling visual stories that support employee communication, investor relations and external stakeholder engagement.
Every year I also embark on personal projects that I think are important. This year I’m going to focus on Jaywick and try to see the town through the eyes of the people who love it.
Find out more about the photography services I offer here.
Visit our business website, Clarity Photos, here.
I have written a book, Making Documentary Photography, which can be downloaded here.
