The 40% Project: Photographing a Historic Moment for Women in Parliament
The RPS Women in Photography Group is creating a unique photographic record of one of the most significant milestones in modern British political history: the moment women reached more than 40% representation in the UK Parliament.
Following the 2024 General Election, women reached just over 40% representation in the UK Parliament for the first time. Recognising the significance of this achievement, the Royal Photographic Society’s Women in Photography Group launched The 40% Project — a nationwide portrait initiative bringing together women photographers from across the UK to photograph women MPs from every political party and region.
What began as a simple idea has grown into one of the most ambitious volunteer-led photographic projects undertaken by the group. To date, around 130 photographers have taken part, creating portraits of more than 250 of the 265 women MPs elected to Parliament. With only a handful of portraits still to be completed, the project is close to achieving its goal of creating a comprehensive photographic record of women serving in the UK Parliament at this historic moment. The project has attracted national attention, with Digital Camera World recently describing it as a "monumental effort" to document this milestone.
"When women reached 40% representation in Parliament, we felt this was a moment that deserved to be recorded — not simply as a statistic, but as a visual record for future generations. Women have so often been missing from the historical record; this project helps ensure that the women who shaped this milestone are seen, remembered and celebrated."
— Sue Wright, Chair, RPS Women in Photography Group
The portraits range from formal sittings within the Palace of Westminster to environmental portraits made in constituencies, workplaces and community spaces across the country. Together they offer a rich and varied portrait of women in public life, revealing not only the role of an MP but also something of the individual behind it.
The project has also highlighted the skill, creativity and determination of the photographers involved. Many portrait sessions have taken place within the constraints of demanding parliamentary schedules, often allowing photographers just 15–30 minutes to plan, create and deliver a compelling portrait. The resulting body of work reflects a remarkable diversity of photographic styles and approaches.
At its heart, The 40% Project is about more than politics. It is about visibility, representation and the importance of creating a photographic record of women at a moment when their presence in Parliament has reached an historic high. It is also a celebration of women behind the camera, ensuring that women photographers play a central role in documenting this chapter of British history.
A commemorative book is currently in development, alongside plans for future exhibitions. Together, these will help ensure that this milestone — and the women who helped achieve it — is preserved for future generations.
The portraits below offer a glimpse into The 40% Project. Each photograph tells a different story — of place, personality, leadership and representation. Taken by women photographers from across the UK, these images form part of a unique visual record celebrating the moment women reached more than 40% representation in the UK Parliament.
Together, they create a portrait not only of individual MPs, but of a significant chapter in British history.
Header image: Hannah Spencer MP (c) Alice Armstong
Abena was first elected as the Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead in 2019 and re-elected in 2024. She is currently the Prime Minister’s Parliamentary Private Secretary. She has held multiple high‑profile roles, including the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office, Shadow Minister for Women’s Health and Mental Health and Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury.
Prior to Parliament, Abena served as a councillor for Erith on Bexley Council where she was Deputy Leader of the Labour Group. She has also served as chair of the Labour Women's Network.
Abena is also one of the first female MPs of Ghanaian descent in the UK Parliament, a remarkable achievement and inspiring story of perseverance and determination.
The shoot took place at Severndroog Castle in her constituency, a popular community landmark known for its panoramic views of London, a fitting location reflecting Abena’s strong connection to the community she proudly serves. The morning was filled with laughter, and Abena, along with her two assistants, made the entire experience relaxed, enjoyable, and genuinely fun. It’s clear she is loved by her team, and I’m sure by her constituency too. She’s approachable, thoughtful, and truly listens. Even with a busy schedule, she made time to chat with locals and have her photograph taken with the café owner before heading off to her next commitment.
Maria Akore @mariaakorephotography
I joined the 40% Project just before its final chapter and was paired with Valerie Vaz. What followed was a month-long exchange of emails featuring an impressive choreography of cancellations and rescheduling. At some point, I began to suspect the session might remain purely theoretical, and worried my persistence might be wearing thin. Then, in a moment I would happily erase from history, I managed to address her as “Mr” in not one, but two emails. She politely corrected me. I, internally, began planning my disappearance.
By the time we finally confirmed a date, I arrived at Westminster Hall with a healthy dose of apprehension, fully prepared for a polite but strained encounter.
Instead, the opposite unfolded. She arrived and immediately dismantled every anxious storyline I had been rehearsing. Warm, self-assured, and effortlessly engaging, she brought a sense of ease that transformed the entire experience. Fully present and open to collaboration, she approached the session with generosity and curiosity.
We spent around ninety minutes together, during which she shared her knowledge of Westminster with genuine enthusiasm, leading me through spaces that feel almost mythical in their inaccessibility. The session became far richer than a portrait sitting — a meeting of minds, not just a photographic exercise.
I left not only with the images, but with an invitation for tea at Westminster — a rather perfect ending to a project dedicated to celebrating women’s contributions to public life.
Rt Hon Valerie Vaz MP is the Labour MP for Walsall South, serving since 2010. A barrister by training, she has held prominent parliamentary roles, including Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, with a focus on equality, justice, and human rights.
Monika Drzewicz www.monide-photography.com/ @monivandrevitz
Harpreet Uppal, the newly elected Labour MP for Huddersfield in 2024, welcomed me to her hometown as the deadline for the 40% Project rapidly approached. With only a short window to shoot, I made a quick trip to Huddersfield to meet Harpreet and her brilliant team.
What made the day especially memorable was how personal the locations were. Harpreet had carefully chosen places around the town that held strong childhood memories, giving the shoot a genuine sense of connection and storytelling.
We began in the park where, as a child, she spent long summer days with her family, splashing in the paddling pools and playing with friends. From there we moved to the statue of Harold Wilson outside Huddersfield railway station — a tribute to Britain’s Prime Minister in 1974 and one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks. We also visited the Accu Stadium, home to Huddersfield’s passionate football and rugby communities, another place closely tied to local identity and pride.
The final portrait selected from the edit captures Harpreet seated on the steps of the bandstand in Greenhead Park — a quiet, reflective moment in a place filled with personal history.
Nicole Tree www.nicolatree.com
The Northeast of England has an amazing coastline, and the beaches of South Shields are no exception. I met Emma on the beach early in the morning the sun was slowly rising giving a lovely golden glow to the shoreline. Emma was born and raised in the seaside town where her links to the sea and sea faring community are strong, from the shipyards to being a descendant of William Wouldhave the inventor of the lifeboat, it’s obvious when talking with her that her heart is here in Shields.
Emma was warm, genuine, fierce, and passionate about her constituency and her constituents, one of her overriding goals is continually campaigning for the improvement of social care for both children and adults as well as tackling food poverty. Her professional background in social care has taught her about the tough realities of front-line social work. She is also currently the chair of the All-party Parliamentary group “Child of the North” whose purpose is to create a fairer future for children across the north of England. Emma has held the post as MP for South shields for over 12 years, which is a testament to her commitment and duty to the town.
The shot was composed on the steps of the RNLI lifeguard station just by Long Beach, throughout the shoot many of the constituents out on the beach that morning greeted her as a familiar face with a cheery hello. During our short time together, it became noticeably clear that she is a female MP who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes.
Louise Knaresborough LRPS LVKstudios.com / @lvkstudiosphotography
View the full gallery: The 40% Project Gallery
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.
← Visit the Women In Photography homepage, to find out more about us!