Photographer Josh Murfitt working on the Art UK sculpture digitisation project

Working on the Art UK sculpture project (credit: Rhona Taylor)

Background


After graduating with a BA in Photography in 2013, I started photographing works of art for local artists in the Cambridge area. I soon began taking on larger commissions and photographing events for Kettle's Yard and other University of Cambridge Museums. After working briefly as a Digitisation Assistant at the Cambridge University Library, I found part-time work in the Photo Collections department at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Over the next 5 years, I photographed a wide range of ethnographic and archaeological collections, as well as events and exhibitions, both in-house and working with external colleagues in other museums. I also worked as a photographer on the Art UK sculpture digitisation project, working across several different locations in the East of England. In 2019 I graduated with an MA in Documentary Photography and Photojournalism from the University of Westminster.

In 2020, I moved to Edinburgh, Scotland with my partner, where I am now based. I've continued my work as a photographer of fine art, museum collections and events in Scotland, working for clients including the Art Fund and Art UK. I work part-time as a Gallery Attendant whilst continuing my freelance photography work part-time. Since moving to Scotland I have also worked on projects across the UK, including at the British Museum and Kew Gardens.




Approach


As a photographer of works of art and museum collections, I am comfortable working in a studio environment or on location. I've worked in corridors, offices, schools and colleges, museum storage spaces, gardens, country houses, galleries, and even hospitals. I use a range of professional, portable lighting equipment, adapting to available space. I can always advise on space requirements when planning for a project.

Having worked in a museum and a university library, I have been professionally trained by collections and conservation staff in the best practices for handling and storing a wide range of objects. I bring to my work an awareness of conservation concerns, as well as some of the ethical issues surrounding cultural heritage collections and their representation.


I am always happy to be led by professional staff in terms of caring for collections during photography, as well as using my technical skills and expertise to translate the vision and intention of an artist or curator into a finished photographic record or interpretation. If you are not sure how to photograph something, I'm equally happy to discuss ways to approach and solve any photographic challenges you may have.




Education and Employment


Education

2019 ∙ MA Documentary Photography and Photojournalism ∙ University of Westminster ∙ London
2013 ∙ BA (Hons) Photography ∙ Anglia Ruskin University ∙ Cambridge​



Employment

2013 - 2024 ∙ Freelance Photographer ∙ Josh Murfitt Photography ∙ Edinburgh and Cambridge
2021 - 2024 ∙ Gallery Attendant ∙ National Galleries of Scotland ∙ Edinburgh
2016 - 2019 ∙ Photo Collections Assistant ∙ Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology ∙ Cambridge
2015 - 2016 ∙ Studio and Digitisation Assistant ∙ Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology ∙ Cambridge
2014 - 2015 ∙ Digitisation Assistant ∙ Cambridge University Library ∙ Cambridge
2013 - 2014 ∙ Studio Practice Supervisor ∙ Anglia Ruskin University ∙ Cambridge



Voluntary work

2023 - 2024 ∙ Volunteer Collections Researcher ∙ National Museums Scotland ∙ Edinburgh
2020 - 2021 ∙ Volunteer Gallery Attendant ∙ Inverleith House ∙ Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
2020 ∙ Voluntary Art Guardian ∙ Jupiter Artland ∙ Edinburgh
2020 ∙ Book Cataloguing Volunteer ∙ National Galleries of Scotland ∙ Edinburgh
2013 ∙ Studio Assistant Intern ∙ Green Lens Studios ∙ London
2010 - 2012 ∙ Volunteer Video Editor (PR) ∙ Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ∙ Sandy




Selected publications


2022 ∙ Power and Prestige: The Art of Clubs in Oceania ∙ Hooper, Steven et al ∙ Skira
2020 ∙ Recording Kastom: Alfred Haddon's Journals [...] ∙ Herle, Anita and Philp, Jude ∙ Sydney University Press
2020 ∙ Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years ∙ Jones, Catrin and Stephens, Chris ∙ Thames & Hudson
2018 ∙ Oceania ∙ Brunt, Peter and Thomas, Nicholas ∙ Royal Academy of Arts
2018 ∙ Fighting Fibres: Kiribati Armour and Museum Collections ∙ Adams, Julie et al ∙ Sidestone Press
2017 ∙ Another India: Explorations and Expressions of Indigenous South Asia ∙ Elliott, Mark ∙ Adivaani
2016 ∙ Fiji: Art & Life in the Pacific ∙ Hooper, Steven ∙ Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts




Selected clients


The British Museum, Art UK, Art Fund, Kettle's Yard, University of Cambridge Museums, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Fondazione Giancarlo Ligabue, Sotheby's, St John's College School, The Holburne Museum, Victoria Miro, The New Hall Art Collection, Abbotsford: The Home of Sir Walter Scott, Jupiter Artland, Anglia Ruskin University.



If you would like to know more or discuss an upcoming project, get in touch!
Back to Top