Farnham Facial Hair Project

Andre Gower
Sreven Bell by Matthew Burch

The other week I photographed, as part of the VIP members at The Farnham Business Hub, Stuart Morrison who runs Mister Metric.

Stuart sports an impressive moustache and this got us all talking about facial hair and the range of architecture that can be found on men’s faces. Beards and moustaches range from the everyday neatly shaped straight forward, to the ramshackle free-spirited let it go, to the highly groomed and sculptured so I started to wonder what facial topiary stalked the streets of my home town, Farnham. (You can see Stuart here: Farnham Business Hub Headshots)

Now I have had a goatee for 20 odd years and forget a lot of the time that I am essentially bearded. I just don’t specifically think about it and my wife and daughters insist I keep it since without, when I smile, I apparently look like a hamster.  I think this is a little harsh to be fair, but nevertheless I keep the goatee.

All of these musings pushed me to start a little project where I would photograph the men of Farnham sporting facial hair.  I must admit I thought it would be a quiet thing, every now and then finding someone who was willing to sit for me, but after posting the idea up on Facebook it has rather taken off.

There is a chap who lives in my street who I have loosely known for years. He and his wife have run a local newsagent, one which I used to use quite regularly. He and I are now neighbours albeit quite a few houses removed. Walking to the bank the other day I popped in and asked if he was interested in being photographed. I outlined my ideas and he jumped on board immediately, both he and his wife were very taken with the concept.

Andre, became my first sitter…As I was thinking it may take some time to get others on board, my Facebook page was getting interest. Straight away Steven is in touch saying he has some sculptured facial hair, a Horsehoe and Handlebar and he wanted to be involved….By now things were hotting up and at the time of writing this post I have another five Farnham men booked in to sit for a photo.

All along I wanted to somehow fit this project to a local charity. I had ideas but decided to reach out to Jamie Barlow of Stop and Stare Marketing.I know Jamie through the Farnham Business Hub and gave him a heads up as to what I thought we might do; then, when we got to meet and grab 10 minutes to run over ideas it turns out we’re pretty much on the same page.  He had some ideas I hadn’t thought of but we both want to aim for an exhibition and a book.  Obviously we have to monetise this in a way that costs are covered and there is profit for a charity but it doesn’t become onerous and limit the people who want to take part.Jamie and I have set up a proper meeting to work out a plan and I’ll update here and on Facebook as we progress, with some more photos of the hirsuted men of Farnham.

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Farnham Facial Hair Project Bristles Along

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Business Headshot Open Days on 23rd and 24th July 2014