The 40% Project – Summer Update
In 2024, history was made when women won 40% of the seats in the UK Parliament — a powerful step forward for representation and equality. To mark this milestone, the RPS Women in Photography group launched the 40% Project, inviting female and female-identifying photographers from across the country to create portraits of all 264 female MPs.
Since launching, the project has gained real momentum. As of August 2025, 226 MPs have been paired with photographers, and 51 portraits have already been submitted to the online gallery. Many more are in progress — from shoots being scheduled to images currently in post-production. The portraits coming in are personal, creative, and full of character, showing MPs not just as politicians, but as people — rooted in their communities, causes, and values.
We’ve had an overwhelming response to our open calls, with over 50 students and 30 RPS members expressing interest. The enthusiasm from RPS Women in Photography members has helped shape the project into a truly collaborative effort. We’ve also welcomed involvement from Hundred Heroines and photographers who took part in the 209 Women Project—many of whom have since joined the RPS Women in Photography group.
Some MPs have been photographed in iconic locations, such as Parliament itself or local landmarks, while others have opted for more personal settings that reflect their identity or work. Each image tells a story — of service, representation, and individuality.
Looking ahead, we’re working towards a public exhibition and a printed publication, and are actively seeking funding from a range of supporters — including the Arts Council, the Speaker’s Art Fund, and law firms with a commitment to equality and representation. We’re incredibly grateful to those members who have already offered ideas and contacts to help make this next stage a reality.
There are still a few MPs waiting to be photographed, so if you’d like to take part — or support the project in other ways — we’d love to hear from you.
Header portrait: Kate Dearden MP © Jayne Odell FRPS
Roz Savage MP
PHOTOGRAPHED BY SCARLET PAGE
Roz Savage Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds. Shot on the edge of Cricklade, my session with Roz Savage took place under moody skies.
The rare snake’s head fritillary we came to see hadn’t made its expected appearance; you could almost count them on one hand. With no real meadow in bloom, the reeds became our stand-in. It suited Roz, who once rowed solo across three oceans.
A short walk and warm intros from the women-led science team gave context to the land and its shifting story.
Emma Reynolds MP
PHOTOGRAPHED BY DEE ROBINSON
Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for High Wycombe. I met Emma at High Wycombe Lido a wonderful open air pool built in the 50’s. We got chatting and I found out that one of Emma’s hobbies is swimming so the idea I had of asking her to sit in the lifeguard’s chair seemed a good choice. During the shoot she was recognised by some of the swimmers in the pool, she’s very much part of the community Emma was previously the MP for Wolverhampton North East between 2010 and 2019 then became the first Labour MP for High Wycombe in 2024 with a majority of over 4500.
She was a joy to photograph and was up for some of my sillier suggestions.
@deerobinsonphotographer / deirdrerobinsonphotography.com/
Louise Haigh MP
PHOTOGRAPHED BY NICOLA TREE
Louise Haigh has been the Labour MP for Sheffield Heeley since 2015. She made history as the youngest woman ever appointed to the Cabinet, serving as Transport Secretary from July to November 2025. I’ve photographed Louise several times before for Getty Images, always in a photojournalistic capacity while she was at work. So this shoot was a welcome change — a chance to collaborate in the studio and take a more creative approach. When she arrived, the first thing she said was, “I’m back, and I have a new campaign.” That campaign is ‘Stop Employers Covering Up Abuse’, which seeks to ban the misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that prevent employees from speaking out about harassment or discrimination in the workplace. You can find the petition here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-employers-covering-up-abuse-1
We spent about an hour shooting. I had prepared a couple of steel backdrops — one rusted, the other a dark gunmetal. We also experimented with a cherry-red backdrop and used colour gels on the lights for effect.
Louise is known for her striking hair, and before arriving she’d asked the hairdresser in Parliament for a 70s-inspired, big-hair look. Under a cyan gel, her hair turned a deep red that popped beautifully against the bright cherry background.
This isn’t just portraiture — it’s a visual record of political change, told through women’s eyes.
Maya Ellis MP
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALLIE CREWE
Maya Ellis, Labour MP for Ribble Valley. I was immediately drawn to Maya’s calm dignity, warmth, and sharp sense of humour. Photographing her in her local church—just next door to the Roman Fort—felt like the perfect setting: rooted, timeless, and quietly powerful, much like her. I'm a big fan of her work and her vision for bringing about positive change.
Maya was elected as a Labour MP in 2024 and is part of a strong new wave of women in her party. She lives in a historic village in the Ribble Valley with her family and is deeply connected to her community—having attended Ribchester Primary School and Longridge High School. She went on to study French and English Literature at Lancaster University, later earning both an MBA from Lancaster and a Master’s in Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire.
Want to Get Involved?
- Join us in celebrating 40% female representation in Parliament by pairing women photographers with women MPs.
- Photographers still needed — A few MPs remain unassigned.
- Support the project — Help with funding, sponsorship, or connections.
- Contact: wipchair@rps.org
Rosie Duffield MP
PHOTOGRAPHED BY SINEAD LE BLOND
Rosie Duffield has represented Canterbury since 2017, sitting first as a Labour MP, and currently as an independent. From the moment I met Rosie, she was warm, welcoming, funny and friendly. She holds strong opinions that not everyone will agree with and like all MPs, has had her professional and private life scrutinised in granular detail by the press. However, I was struck by her passion for doing right by her constituents, her energy and enthusiasm, and her willingness to stick to her guiding principles. We chatted non-stop for the hour I spent with her, and I honestly could have continued the conversation all afternoon.
I met Rosie at Friends Meeting House in the heart of her constituency. It’s an oasis of calm and provided a wealth of locations for photos, from the room at the front with beautiful, muted light coming through the windows, to the shade of the trees in the garden that shielded us from the heat of the day. We’re both massive animal lovers, so imagine our cries of delight when a little ginger kitten decided to photobomb the shoot!
Become a member
If you are not an RPS Women in Photography group member, we invite you to join our community of passionate photographers. By becoming a member, you can participate in exciting competitions, gain exposure through features in our prestigious WE ARE Magazine, and enjoy numerous other exclusive benefits.
We extend a warm welcome to photographers of all backgrounds and experience levels.
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