Misan Harriman: The Photographer Using His Lens for Change
From capturing the glamour of British Vogue’s historic September issue to documenting the raw, unfiltered pain of Palestine, Misan Harriman has redefined what it means to be a visual storyteller.
A self-taught photographer who first picked up a camera at 40, Harriman has since become one of the most influential artists of his generation, using his craft not just to reflect the world, but to change it. While his portfolio boasts a tone of celebrity portraits, Harriman’s most powerful work today lies in activism. He has been a constant presence at protests demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to UK arms sales to Israel. For him, photography is more than art—it’s a moral obligation.
“I have two little girls, and I want to look them in the eye and say that I fought tooth and nail with my camera and my voice to allow them to inherit a better world.”
Harriman believes in photography’s ability to alter history, citing legends like Peter Magubane, whose images helped dismantle apartheid. His own exhibition, ‘The Purpose of Light’, showcases resistance, solidarity, and the urgent fight for justice. One photo, in particular, haunts him: a white British woman holding a sign reading, “These days will define us.”
“Because they will,” he says. “They really will.”
A Movement Beyond Borders
At protests, Harriman has witnessed something extraordinary—unity. “I saw a queer woman helping a Muslim mum with her baby… This is the best of this country,” he reflects. Despite the horrors in Gaza, he finds hope in the collective demand for humanity.
“We are fighting for the soul of humanity. If we don’t act, we will be haunted by the ghosts of dead children and the screams of the living.”
From the red carpet to the frontlines of protest, Misan Harriman proves that art is not just about beauty, it’s about bearing witness, challenging power, and, above all, refusing to stay silent.
Be sure to check out his latest solo exhibition in London at Hope 93.
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