Imogen has always been drawn to photography as a means of storytelling. “From the moment I picked up a camera, it’s always been about people,” she tells Dazed. “Capturing human idiosyncrasies, energy, and individuality.” At present, the narratives she’s interested in are connected to London’ burgeoning FLINTA and queer nightlife scene. “We’re in the midst of what has been dubbed a lesbian renaissance – an unapologetic surge of sapphic visibility,” she says, “It’s a really exciting moment with new events, parties and – finally – bars flourishing across London. There’s an electric energy in the community and it’s so much fun to document its growth.”
A human rights consultant by day and a photographer by night, taking pictures often functions as a creative counterpoint to the work she undertakes investigating and attempting to fix the issues in our fashion supply chains. “Every day, I’m able to make a positive impact for the workers around the world making our clothes. It’s rewarding, but it can get intense,” she explains. Her photography work, on the other hand, has come to represent something lighter and more euphoric. “In my [photography] work today I focus on telling queer stories and capturing authentic queer joy. I love immortalising the energy of the dancefloor – often capturing scenes that resemble modern-day queer renaissance paintings,” she tells us.
I love immortalising the energy of the dancefloor – often capturing scenes that resemble modern-day queer renaissance paintings – Imogen
Recent inspiration has come in the form of Bonanza – a queer rodeo club night in London which currently takes place venues The Cock Tavern in Kennington and The Boogaloo in Highgate. “Bonanza is serving queer rodeo energy. It’s where country/pop dreams collide in the sexiest way,” she tells us. Her portraits of the cxnty cowboi night – which promises line dancing to the likes of Chappell Roan and Dolly Parton and western-themed burlesque performers, live music, drag artists and strippers – do seem to distil moments of the purest kind of joy. From scenes of dance floor elation to romantic trysts and rapt audiences, Imogen’s pictures of Bonanza capture the fun, the friendships and the freedom the club night offers its devoted following. In an era when club culture is supposed to be waning, her photographs show a thriving, beloved night that regularly sells out – despite often taking place midweek.
“It’s such a fun queer night that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s focused around the FLINTA community and it’s amazing founder Sophie Ward has created a free-spirited, safe space for us to go full cxnty cowboy. It’s genuinely become its own community and you can feel the love when you’re there,” she says.
Imogen’s photographs also pay tribute to the extraordinary style and creativity of the Bonanza crowd. “Everyone’s outfits are always incredible,” she tells us. A melange of Kiss Me Quick cowboy hats, sparkly western boots, Dolly Parton singlets, chaps, fringing (on everything), lesbian slogan tees and cowhide, Bonzanza provides a space for audacious self-expression and kitsch, cowboi maximalism.
Inspired by Courteney Frisby’s “vibrant high contrast images of the queer scene”, the work of Michele Baron who “immortalises intimate queer bodies in film” and resident Adonis photographer Roxy Lee, Imogen uses her camera to really try and distill what makes Bonanza so special. “I love the energy of the night and capturing the carefree cxntry chaos,” she says. “Everyone is having so much fun which makes my job easy! The aesthetic of the night is so fun to capture with the wide array of cowboy hats and cxntry outfits. I love all the different colours and textures – from pink to leather to sequins – which really brings my photos to life.”
As a Bonanza regular, it’s not easy for her to narrow down her favourite aspects of the club night, but certain memories do endure. “One of my favourite moments was a very sexy country burlesque performance by Scarlett Whispers. She really finessed teasing an audience full of sapphics. Capturing the reactions was so fun. I also loved Izzy Ward’s very sexy drag performance. She slayed lip-syncing Lady Gaga and morphing from nun to leather-clad dominatrix,” she recalls. But one recurring juncture in the night always hits her hard: “I love when the crowd learning to line dance finally have that breakthrough moment and can remember the whole routine!”
The next Bonanza takes place at The Cock Tavern, Kennington, on Thursday 17 April and tickets are available here. Follow Bonzana on Instagram here for future dates.