Skate Like a Lass - Juliet Klottrup Documents Skateboarding Communities in the North of England

Social documentary filmmaker and photographer Juliet Klottrup has been working on a film and photographic series that documents and supports inclusive grassroots skateboarding communities connecting marginalised and LGBTQI+ individuals in the North of England. For these photographs Juliet chose to shoot only in analogue and among her various tools she used a La Sardina, Simple Use Camera, Fisheye No.2, LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissed 35 mm film and Lomography Color Negative ISO 400 120 film. She also set up a series of workshops for the community and let them try some of the cameras out themselves. We talked to Juliet about this project, the stories behind the communities and how she found the results.

Hi Juliet, please tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a director, photographer, and painter based in the North West of England. I explore social and environmental narratives, collaborating with local communities to create a contemporary archive of identity and belonging using analogue mediums to blend still and motion imagery together to explore the connection between people and place.

Talk to us about this project and why you decided to document this group on film?

Over two years, I researched and documented inclusive grassroots skateboarding communities in Northern England, that connect female, marginalised and LGBTQ+
individuals. This project aimed to address gaps in representation, participation, and historical documentation within skateboarding. These groups have created safe spaces and welcoming environments, where skating is a tool for empowerment, unlocking freedom and where failure is accepted and celebrated as a rite of passage.

I usually shoot portraiture on medium-format film, and for this project, incorporating film was to reference the DIY aesthetic of the past, while reimagining and documenting skateboarding’s evolving future. For the film, we used Super 8, VHS, and digital, while the stills were shot on Polaroids, 35 mm, and 120. Both the skaters and I contributed to the visuals, and I collaborated with DOP Abi Timmins on the film. Editor Sara Faulkner wove the film together to create a co-authored archive.

What is the reason behind wanting to showcase these small groups to a wider audience?

These collectives offer more than just skateboarding, they’ve created places of belonging, self-expression and access. There is great value in amplifying these stories that might otherwise be overlooked. They are such positive and inspiring communities. People succeeding and self-organising. Places where friends, strangers, families, and neighbours can connect and find common ground in spaces previously historically under represented for marginalised and LGBTQI+ individuals. It matters, they are an example of the best of us.

How did you find the results on shooting with the Lomography cameras and films?

It was liberating to embrace the uncertainty of how these images would turn out. Some of the skaters had never shot on film and I hadn’t used some of these cameras before, which made it exciting to experiment together. Not being too precious about the results allowed us to stay present in the moment, focusing on the experience rather than the outcome.

Any favorites that surprised you?

The Fisheye No. 2 is such an iconic lens associated with skating. It gives a focused view of the skater but also gives a wide context of the scene. The simple use reloadable cameras are really accessible for a first time user, you can glide along on on your board, have it in your pocket ready to shoot with at a moments notice.

Where can we see these photos?

Skate Like a Lass was selected as a winner for the Shiny Awards. Skate Like a Lass will be exhibiting in Preston at SHOP Opening 27th Feb - 2nd March and then at Aunty Social in Blackpool from 20th - 25th March 2025. A zine will be published made in collaboration with designer Femke Campbell.

To see more of Juliet's work you can visit her website.

2025-02-23 #culture #people #videos #north-yorkshire #cumbria #skate-like-a-girl #juliet-klotrupp Share Article