Dominic Markes is a photographer and multimedia artist based at Sun Pier House in Chatham, working across photography, audio, film, and spoken word. As he explains, “I absolutely love and truly believe in the power of documentation." His practice is rooted in capturing real moments, real people, and real stories—whether through portraits, field recordings, or moving images. For Dominic, documentation is not just a creative act but a way of shifting perspectives and contributing to positive change.

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His photography journey began unexpectedly in 2019, after developing tinnitus and hyperacusis while working as a music producer. During recovery, he was handed a Pentax point-and-shoot camera—a moment that transformed his creative path. He quickly recognised that photographing people required the same sensitivity and presence as recording them, noting that street photography felt similar to “making recordings in the street." Since then, he has immersed himself in daily practice, exploring authenticity, connection, and the emotional truth of lived experience.

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Dominic’s most significant ongoing projects, Carnival and We Come One, explore how heritage shapes identity and belonging in contemporary England. Set at Notting Hill Carnival and within folkloric traditions across the country, these parallel bodies of work document the richness, complexity, and communal spirit of English cultural life. He describes them as long-term commitments, now in their fifth year, to inspire people to “spend time in free public spaces with strangers and experience things that they normally wouldn't."

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Alongside the creative highs, Dominic acknowledges the challenges of freelancing, particularly financial pressures and the internal barriers that come with fear and self-doubt. Yet his advice to emerging creatives is grounded, generous, and expansive: “Enjoy it, be a sponge… Think big, dream bigger, and persevere. His work champions openness, curiosity, and the belief that creativity strengthens communities—especially in places like Medway, where diverse histories and voices offer endless opportunities for connection.