Lee Jeffries and Julia Bradbury launch Lost Angels photography exhibition

Last night TV star Julia Bradbury toasted The Big Issue and the incredible talent of photographer Lee Jeffries at the opening of a new exhibition of his work. She’s right, of course. Jeffries’ collection of powerful portraits portray homeless people across the UK and Europe in stark and intimate detail.

Titled Lost Angels, the exhibition is being held at the M&C Saatchi Gallery in London. Jeffries’ work will be available to buy with 10% of sales going directly to The Big Issue.

I'm teaming up with @JuliaBradbury @BigIssue @ChangePlease & @MCSaatchiLondon to fight #homelessness more details https://t.co/30pinwDNbq pic.twitter.com/jeyL1niCcz

— LJ. (@Lee_Jeffries) November 22, 2016

Bradbury, who hosted a Q&A with Jeffries at the launch, hailed the exhibition as “amazing”.

Bradbury has become a staunch supporter of The Big Issue and the plight of homeless people since sleeping rough for the BBC programme Famous, Rich and Homeless. It was through this that she met Jeffries, a photographer who captures intimate portraits of the homeless, and whose work has exploded on social media. He recently worked with Terrence Malick as a contributor to his movie Voyage of Time.

In creating his portraits, Jeffries seeks to connect with each person on an individual basis first.

Lee Jeffries @Lee_Jeffries you're a legend. Amazing exhibition at @mcsaatchilondon tonight raising money for @BigIssue #stophomelessness pic.twitter.com/bYyQuu0AJX

— Julia Bradbury I HAVEN'T BOUGHT BLUE TICK💙 (@JuliaBradbury) December 7, 2016

“I need to see some kind of emotion in my subjects,” he said. “I specifically look at people’s eyes – when I see it, I recognise it and feel it. Everyone walks by like the homeless are invisible. I’m stepping through the fear in the hope that people will realise these people are just like you and me”.

The exhibition runs until January 3 and is by appointment only. For more information visit: frenchartstudio.com