'I don't approach people to take photos of them, I approach them because I'm interested ...

Nik Roche, a 54-year-old landscape gardener turned documentary photographer from south Wales, shares his journey of discovering photography at age 47 and developing a unique approach to capturing marginalized communities.

Roche's photography focuses on building genuine relationships with his subjects before ever taking their picture. His most meaningful work emerged from a friendship with Tony, a man living unconventionally in a bell tent behind his house, who tragically took his own life in 2022. Through immersive storytelling, Roche explores themes of trauma, societal expectations, and people living on society's margins.

• Started photography at 47 after a lifetime as a landscape gardener, developing an interest in documentary storytelling
• Builds deep friendships with subjects before photographing them, spending months understanding their lives and circumstances
• Uses photography as social commentary to explore trauma, incarceration cycles, and unconventional lifestyles
• Currently taking a break from photography while processing the loss of his close friend and subject Tony