Tim Bingham is joined by photographer James Clifford Kent, whose thoughtful and compassionate approach to documentary photography has seen him spend more than two decades exploring identity, memory, community, healthcare, and social change. Based in London, James blends documentary reportage, portraiture, and socially engaged photography to create work rooted in empathy, curiosity, and genuine human connection. In this episode, James explains why he resists being confined by labels such as street photographer, instead embracing a reactive, people-centred approach to making photographs. He discusses the influence of Diane Arbus, Don McCullin, and Henri Cartier-Bresson, and reflects on why the most powerful images come from emotional engagement rather than simply recording events. A significant part of the conversation focuses on James's long-term work in Cuba, a project that began while teaching English in Havana and has evolved over more than twenty years into an important body of documentary photography. He shares the stories behind the project and discusses his forthcoming photobook, Yuma, due for publication in 2026, exploring the relationships, trust, and cultural understanding developed over decades of returning to the island. James also talks about his acclaimed work documenting the NHS, photographing operating theatres, maternity wards, midwives, and healthcare professionals. His photographs have been published by The Guardian, The Times, BBC News, British Journal of Photography, and The Lancet. His NHS-supported project Maternity won The Lancet Photography Prize and was selected for both Portrait of Britain and Portrait of Humanity, highlighting his commitment to portraying people with honesty, dignity, and respect. The conversation explores James's wider achievements within contemporary photography. His Cuba project NHMN – "No hay más na'!" was selected for both the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery. Earlier work from Cuba featured in the Discovery section at Photo London, curated by Charlotte Jansen. His photographs have been exhibited throughout the UK and Cuba, and in 2022 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (FRPS). His work has also been recognised by the Refocus Awards, reflecting a career built on thoughtful documentary practice and authentic storytelling. James reflects on his journey from academia—where he completed a PhD in Visual Culture and spent a decade lecturing—to becoming a full-time photographer. He discusses balancing creative ambition with authenticity, and how his background in research continues to shape the way he approaches photography today. He also shares his passion for analogue photography, the importance of slowing down, and why carrying printed photographs continues to create meaningful conversations with the people he photographs. Tim and James also discuss James's work documenting Arsenal supporters, exploring the connections between football culture, community, collective identity, and documentary storytelling. The episode concludes with a conversation about photobooks, zines, independent publishing, and the creative communities that continue to inspire his work. Whether you're interested in documentary photography, street photography, visual storytelling, portraiture, or developing a more authentic photographic voice, this episode is filled with thoughtful insights into creating photographs that connect with people and endure over time. From revolutionary Cuba to NHS maternity wards and the terraces of Arsenal Football Club, James Clifford Kent's work is united by one defining principle: a deep commitment to empathy, authenticity, and the human experience. People mentioned in the episode Laura Pannack @laurapannack David Campany @davidcampany Corinne Day @corinnedayofficial Tom Seymour @mrtomseymour Charlotte Jansen @omfgnoway Gem Fletcher @gemfletcher Dexter Kane @dexterkane_ldn