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May 2025
1h 3m

Misan Harriman

RUSSELL TOVEY AND ROBERT DIAMENT
About this episode

We meet Misan Harriman, photographer, social activist and Oscar Nominated filmmaker.


He is one of the most widely-shared visual storytellers of this age. He is also the first black person in the 104 year history of British Vogue to shoot the cover of its September issue. In July 2021 he commenced his appointment as Chair of the Southbank Centre, London.


His strong reportage style and unique eye for narrative has captured the attention of editors and celebrities around the world. From documenting historic moments in history to photographing high profile celebrities, including Meghan Markle & Prince Harry, Angelia Jolie, Jay-Z, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Giorgio Armani, Rhianna, Cate Blanchett and Olivia Colman, Misan is a photographer of extraordinary range. His striking images have featured in Vanity Fair, Vogue UK, Harpers Bazaar, People Magazine and The Telegraph among others.


His first film, the After starring David Oyelowo is the first Netflix UK original Short and has been nominated for an Academy Award.


Misan is an outspoken activist supporting Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace, he is also a mental health campaigner with a keen interest in Dyslexia and Neurodiversity. He is currently exploring how web3 can help democratise merit based opportunity for disadvantaged artists on a global scale.

He is the founder of Culture3 whose mission is to explain and explore what web 3.0 means for culture, commerce, and society.


Nigeria born, Misan was educated in England where he developed a life-long love for the arts. This led him to picking up a camera and honing his craft. He is completely self-taught, his work is inspired by Gordon Parks, Sally Mann, Eve Arnold, Bruce Davidson, Norman Parkinson and Peter Lindbergh.


SXSW London presents: Misan Harriman: Shoot the People Part of SXSW London 2025. British-Nigerian photographer Misan Harriman investigates how protest movements shape social change. Following his debut White Nanny, Black Child, director Andy Mundy-Castle turns the camera on Oscar-nominated British-Nigerian photographer and activist Misan Harriman, who became the first Black man to shoot a cover of British Vogue in 2021 and has captured modern icons such as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Rihanna, Stormzy, Cate Blanchett, and Tom Cruise. In Shoot the People, Harriman examines how protest and organised movements can lead to social change, all while capturing the resilience of activism through his lens. 


In July 2025, Harriman will have his debut solo exhibition of his photography in London at Hope93 gallery. https://hope93.com/


Follow @MisanHarriman

Visit https://www.misanharriman.com/


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