Talking Frames 16 - Soulla Petrou Documenting the Golden Era of UK Music Through the Lens"
Soulla Petrou is a renowned British photographer whose work has defined key moments in music and youth culture from the mid-1990s to the late 2000s. Her photographic journey began at the age of ten, sparked by a gift of a Polaroid camera. Inspired by cinematic storytellers like Roman Polanski and David Lynch, Soulla developed a unique visual style that blends narrative depth with raw authenticity.
Soulla transitioned into music photography through her early work with Touch magazine, capturing artists like General Levy during the formative years of jungle and UK urban music. This led to a prolific career shooting for iconic publications such as DJ Magazine, Mixmag, and The Face, where her ability to connect with subjects and document the energy of the scene made her a trusted name.
From gritty underground raves to polished editorial spreads, Soulla’s portfolio spans genres and generations. Her lens has captured everyone from Blur and Orbital to Fatboy Slim and Geri Halliwell. Her book, Rewind, offers a striking retrospective of 15 years of music photography, covering scenes from Britpop to electronica with rare, behind-the-scenes intimacy.
Soulla's method is rooted in meticulous preparation, creative independence, and above all, trust—both in her subjects and in her own vision. Navigating the shift from analog to digital photography, she has remained committed to artistic integrity, often challenging industry pressures around image rights and editorial control.
Today, Soulla continues to celebrate photography’s power to document culture with depth and style. Recent exhibitions at Proud Gallery and Photo London affirm her enduring relevance, as she reflects on a career shaped by adaptability, passion, and a deep respect for the stories behind the image.
In the episode Soulla offers behind-the-scenes stories of her shoots—some spontaneous, others meticulously planned—emphasising the importance of building trust with subjects, preparation, and maintaining creative control. She speaks candidly about navigating the industry’s shift from analog to digital photography, the implications on image rights, and how that transition reshaped the artistic and business sides of her work.
Soulla's latest exhibition can be seen at Photofusion in Brixton ,London from 3rd September to 27th September2025
Song: Drip
Music by: CreatorMix.com