Sandra Mickiewicz is a documentary and portrait photographer based in London, whose work reflects both her journey through life and her dedication to telling authentic stories. Born in Poland in 1992, she moved to the United Kingdom in 2007. This transition marked a significant shift in her life, which eventually became intertwined with her growing interest in photography. In 20218, she graduated with a degree in photography from Middlesex University in London.
At a young age, Sandra had a natural inclination toward the arts, dabbling in painting and drawing before discovering photography at the age of 15. This shift to photography offered her a medium that enabled her to capture the intricacies of the world around her. What started as a hobby gradually transformed into a lifelong passion and professional pursuit.
Her photography is deeply influenced by her love for travel and her desire to explore different cultures. Travel has played a pivotal role in expanding her worldview and shaping the narratives she seeks to tell through her lens. Rather than simply documenting places, she focuses on the people and stories embedded within them. Her subjects are often individuals or communities that may be underrepresented or misunderstood.
One of her projects, "Proud of the Origin," is a profound exploration of the Gypsy and Traveller communities in the UK. These communities, often marginalised and misrepresented in mainstream media, are portrayed by Sandra with great empathy and respect. Through her intimate portraiture, she invites the viewer to see these individuals as complex, multi-dimensional people rather than reducing them to stereotypes.
Her travels have also taken her to the heart of Peru, where she embarked on another significant project titled "The Healers." This body of work explores the ancient use of psychedelics in indigenous cultures, particularly the practices of the Q’eros and Shipibo Shamans. Sandra spent time documenting their ceremonies and the ceremonial use of sacred plants like Ayahuasca, which are central to mental health and spiritual healing in these cultures. Through this project, she aims to not only highlight the cultural importance of these healing practices but also contribute to the conversation about psychedelics' therapeutic potential in the West. Her ability to immerse herself in these cultures and capture their intimate rituals speaks to her deep respect for their traditions and her desire to reveal the stories behind the cultural practices.
Her passion for travel is not just about seeking out new places to photograph but about immersing herself in new experiences that allow her to grow as an artist and human being. Each new destination is an opportunity for exploration—not just geographically, but also culturally and emotionally. Her photography transcends the simple act of taking pictures; it is a means of connection, understanding, and advocacy. Through her images, she invites us to reconsider our preconceived notions and encourages us to see the world—and the people in it—in all their complexity and beauty.
Sandra's work often blurs the line between the personal and the documentary, making the viewer feel connected to her subjects in an intimate, almost personal way. What stands out in her photography is her dedication to portraying her subjects with dignity and understanding. She is drawn to people who are on the margins, whose stories are often left untold or simplified.
Client list
Sandra Mickiewicz has collaborated with a diverse array of esteemed clients and her work has been featured in numerous prominent publications. Her client list includes:
The New York Times, T Magazine, The New Yorker, HTSI Magazine, FT Weekend, Financial Times, New Statesman, Vanity Fair, The Telegraph, W.W. Norton, Picador Books, Konfekt, Monocle, Expedia Group, Imagine 5
Awards, exhibitions and publications
Contact: sandra.mickiewicz92@gmail.com