Hayley Jay is a documentary photographer, visual artist and film maker who explores adolescence, class and misconceptions. Through building close connections to communities and subcultures, she documents places of congregation, intimacy and flirtation through photo essays and documentaries.
Most recently If you know, you know. (2026) examines taboo, belonging and girlhood through interviews with Free Party girls. The two-channel installation investigates access, coolness and hierarchy, unpicking tensions, harmonies and imperfections within the illegal party scene. Across three months, Hayley was invited into the movement, archiving the resilience of the young women and girls maintaining an ecosystem alive since the 1980s.
Pet Peeve (2025 - 2026) explores youth and taboo and what happens when a chronically online community manifests in real life. Her first short film documents fetishism, anonymity, group identity and queerness through liminal behind the scenes footage and interviews with members of the furry fandom. This video installation paired with neon fur cuts has been exhibited at hArtslane and Southwark Park Galleries in 2026. Pet Peeve was screened as part of Lowaa's 'now screening' short film night at The Exchange and is planned to screen in full in winter 2026.
Her collaborative photo series, Have you ever kicked a dandelion? (2023 - 2025) tracks her engagement with youth advocacy and sharing her camera with the secondary school students she taught within special education. In partnership with the Museum of Youth Culture, her first solo exhibition shared over fifty prints from this project at Peckham Levels in 2024.
Hayley is a Fine Art Photography graduate from Slough currently based in London. In a gap year from her studies she worked within a SEND alternative provision as a secondary school teacher and year nine tutor between.
For commissions, collaborations and assignments: hayleyjay@outlook.com
AWARDS
University of the Arts, London. Pitch It! Highly commended. 2026.
Self Initiated Project. First Prize for Have you ever kicked a dandelion? 2025.
Bounce Fund for Have you ever kicked a dandelion? 2024.
NOOR Foundation & Wacken Foundation Photography Workshop Fellowship with Pep Bonnet. 2023.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Fine Art Photography Degree Show at Camberwell College of Arts. June 2026
House of BODYMAP, Ravensfield House, Middlesex University. March 2026
now screening: an all women directed film night, LOWAA x The Exchange. March 2026
r/highculture, hArtslane. February 2026
En Masse, Southwark Park Galleries. January 2026
Jumble Gallery, AMP Studios, November 2025
'Transition' A to B Gallery as part of Photo Month, November 2025
Solo Exhibition 'Have you ever kicked a dandelion?' at Peckham Levels. June 2024
'I <3 Benidorm' Bargehouse, OXO Tower Wharf. 2023
London Unseen: End of Season Celebration at London City Hall. 2023
'Kasper & Bella' Skywalka Sessions. Vol. 1 London College of Communication Darkroom Bar. 2022
FUSION. The Copeland Gallery. 2022
Graduate Showcase, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. Online. 2021
EDUCATION
2026
Peckam Digital, Internship
2021 - 2026
Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London, BA (Hons) Fine Art Photography
2023 - 2024
Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London, Diploma of Professional Studies.
Museum of Youth Culture, Internship.
Haybrook College, Millside School, Work Placement.
2020 - 2021
Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts, London, Foundation Diploma in Fine Art (4D)
2019
University of Oxford, UNIQ Summer School. History of Art.