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AUSTIN SHEPPARD PHOTOGRAPHY
160 CHARACTERS
 160 Characters #70 - Pete160 Characters #70 - Pete, 26, Account Manager, Epsom "Winning promotion with my childhood rugby team to the national leagues and buying my first house sum up a great 2016, I can't wait to see what 2017 has in store" |  160 Characters #69 - Andy160 Characters #69 - Andy, 23, Health and Well-being Account Executive, Epsom "No year saw more change for me than 2016 - new job, new home , qualifications and new friendships - i look forward to influencing the factors that will bring fulfillment and success in 2017" |  160 Characters #68 - Matt160 Characters #68 - Matt, 26, Account Manager, Bromley “I believe our lives are made up of moments that create one big story. Each story is unique and interesting. You should capture as many of those moments as you can.” - Matt on the importance of moments |
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 160 Characters #67 - Emily160 Characters #67 - Emily, 23, Model, Southampton "Quickest and most delicious recipe - mix bbq sauce with honey, drizzle over chicken or salmon then side with whatever. Eating healthy can taste good!" - Emily on great eating |  160 Characters #66 - James160 Characters #66 - James, 38, Deputy Director of Sport, Cardiff "If you can fill the unforgiving minute, With sixty seconds' worth of distance run. - Life is too short to be anything but happy. Do things that make you smile." - James, on filling your life with all the fun things, using the words of Kipling |  160 Characters #65 - Weiyi160 Characters #65 - Weiyi, 27, Sr. Planner/ Strategist, The Hague "London is my fifth home. Moving to a new environment is sometimes scary but when you are open-minded, willing to learn and adapt, you can make every place your home. Fear is just in the mind and the beauty lies in the unknown." - Weiyi About life beyond the comfort-zone. |
 160 Characters #64 - Sam160 Characters #64 - Sam, 32, Artist, London "I had my son Raife When I was thirty, I am now thirty two - And he is two - Which means When I'm sixty He'll be thirty; Being the age I was, When he first had me." - Sam on fatherhood over time |  160 Characters #63 - Rhian160 Characters #63 - Rhian, 27, Actor, Southampton "For never-resting time leads summer on To hideous winter, and confounds him there; Sap checked with frost, and lusty leaves quite gone, Beauty o'er-snowed and bareness every where" - Rhian on the give and take of time in the words of Shakespeare |  160 Characters #62 - Sebrina160 Characters #62 - Sebrina, 19, Student, Rotterdam "The last few months in London have been wonderful. I'd always wondered how it would be to study abroad. In the last few months I have gone through fears and phases in my life. I have learned to face them through experience and wise words. I have learned, somehow you have to make it through even when nothing is perfect. Perfect is a fantasy" - Sebrina on life experience |
 160 Characters #61 - Gabrielle160 Characters #61 - Gabrielle, 31, French Immersion Teacher, Calgary "My approach to life is easier than it's ever been. I just ask myself... Are you in? Or are you in the way" - Gabrielle's key question |  160 Characters #60 - Jordan160 Characters #60 - Jordan, 23, film and theatre maker, Suffolk "Staff bloody dinner? You call that a bloody staff dinner?! I’M A HUNGRY, ANGRY STUDENT WHO’S BEEN AT UNI ALL DAY! How am I gonna manage on that pile of foliage?" - Jordan on the emotion of food |  160 Characters #59 - Rachel160 Characters #59 - Rachel, 33, Theatre Director, London "She who dares wins, so long as she is kind along the way" - A philosophy by Rachel |
 160 Characters #58 - Nazirah160 Characters #58 - Nazirah, 29, Digital Strategist, Kuala Lumpur "I joined advertising because I want to see myself and my story being represented in the most real way possible and I have yet to see it. I know I've gotta be in this position to start changing that." - Nazirah on representation in media |  160 Characters #57 - Alice160 Characters #57 - Alice, 28, make up and hair artist, Herefordshire "Oatmeal Honey face scrub - 2 tbsp oats, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp sweet almond or coconut oil, 4 drops of vitamin D oil. Once applied, massage in circular movements, leave for 5 minutes, remove with warm water." - Alice's recipe for youth |  160 Characters #56 - Mona160 Characters #56 - Mona, 34, Entrepreneur, Hong Kong "10 years in in Hong Kong have taught me that home is not where you are from, but where you make it. It's here I found my soulmate and had 2 wonderful girls with him." - Mona on where the heart is |
 160 Characters #55 - Ross160 Characters #55 - Ross, 33, Business Manager, Hong Kong "2015 has been a year of highs and lows, but it's been a year I'll never forget as we welcomed into the world my second daughter and the wonderful chaos of a new born!" - Ross on becoming a Dad again |  160 Characters #54 - Jennifer160 Characters #54 - Jennifer, 33, Editor-in-Chief, Raymond New Hampshire "Traveling not only opens your eyes to new experiences but transforms you into a better person. Escaping the everyday routine & experiencing the unknown will fill your soul & make life complete." - Jennifer on the joy of travel |  160 Characters #53 - Tim160 Characters #53 - Tim, 35, Personal Security, Leicester "Some people persist in doing things that don't make them happy because it's easier to do what's safe than to chase dreams. If I fail to reach my goal's then I fail but I'd rather that than quit dreaming" - Tim on striving for more |
 160 Characters #52 - Will160 Characters #52 - Will, 30, Teacher, Southsea "New beginnings aren't meant to be easy. They take courage to make sure they don't turn into false starts. Stand by your values so you can reflect on those beginnings and know you did them right." - Will on new starts |  160 Characters #51 - Sarah160 Characters #51 - Sarah, 31, Teacher, Southsea "Home - it's a place you can't wait to leave, but then you realise that it's the only place you really want to be." - Sarah on where the heart is |  160 Characters #50 - Shereen160 Characters #50 - Shereen, 30, Senior Promo Producer, Bahrain "The best pain Is in my stomach when my friends and family make me laugh too hard." - Shereen on when it's good to feel bad |
 160 Characters #49 - Samy160 Characters #49 - Samy, 19, Student, Bahrain "the hardest thing about the term 'everything happens for a reason' is waiting for that reason to show up" - Samy on the trouble with philosophy |  160 Characters #48 - Rollo160 Characters #48 - Rollo, 34, Contract Publisher, Portadown "Whether you believe or doubt, you're right! You shape your destiny and the power you have is immeasurable. Do good and be the change you wish to see in the world." - Rollo on the power of possibility |  160 Characters #47 - Eloise160 Characters #47 - Eloise, 28, Business Development Executive, Inverness "I'm obsessed with food, the country, Politics and music. Ideally would be living in the Highlands of Scotland, but waiting a few years to develop my career in Media." - Eloise on the joy of home |
 160 Characters #46 - Mark160 Characters #46 - Mark, 34, MD & Digital Marketing Consultant, Bahrain "The Happiness of Pursuit. I picked up on the phrase some years ago but it’s only more recently that I realised it’s not just a play on words but an ideology that helps me to live my life with meaning." - Mark on a different view of life |  160 Characters #45 - Jonathan160 Characters #45 - Jonathan, 32, Senior Designer, London "My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." - Jonathon's mission as summed up by Maya Angelou |  160 Characters #44 - Sarah160 Characters #44 - Sarah, 31, Assistant Curator, Ham "Only clean your house when you have people coming over; have an adventure everyday and it's always a win if it involves bubbles; and it's totally OK to put a baby boy in tights!" - Sarah on motherhood |
 160 Characters #43 - Emanuel160 Characters #43 - Emanuel, 29, Swimming Pool Engineer, Argentina "Don’t cry for me Argentina, I never left you, life just gave me options. Una vida bien Vivida. Open doors." - Emanuel on life's opportunities |  160 Characters #42 - Tess160 Characters #42 - Tess, 23, Design Researcher, Devon "Sundays I tend to find myself gravitating towards the more leafy parts of the city. I like to pretend I'm actually in Devon, sat with a cup of tea in my mum's garden with the sun in my face." - Tess on finding the parts of London that feel like home |  160 Characters #41 - Hollie160 Characters #41 - Hollie, 30, Stay at Home Mum, Cheltenham "How long will I love you? As long as the stars are above you And longer, if I can" Hollie (Via Ellie Goulding) and the content of her twilight hours spent singing to her baby boy |
 160 Characters #40 - Ben160 Characters #40 - Ben, 35, Stage Technician and Actor, South East London "Hey bump this is what daddy looked like before you came along, we are going to see you soon, I'm so excited. One day you will see this pic and maybe you will look a bit like me, except for the tattoos of course x" - Ben looking to the future |  160 Characters #39 - Shelley160 Characters #39 - Shelley, 30, Actor/Writer, Cheltenham "Cheese seller, tambourine shaker, perfume sprayer, nappy changer - the glamorous life of an actor/writer paying the bills. Still - beats working for a living!" - Shelley on what it takes to make it work |  160 Characters #38 - Anna-Kay160 Characters #38 - Anna-Kay, 25, Dancer, Jamaica "Nothing is more revealing than movement...The body says what words cannot...The body never lies" Martha Graham expressing Anna-Kay's need to dance and move |
 160 Characters #37 - Jonathan160 Characters #37 - Jonathan, 20, Rugby League Player, Malta "Beware of brief delight and lasting regret. What brings pleasure in the moment can be detrimental in the grand scheme of things. Discipline is vital to success." - Jonathan on the path to success |  160 Characters #36 - Sjaan160 Characters #36 - Sjaan, 30, Yoga instructor, Johannesburg "underneath your outer form, you are connected with something so vast, so immeasurable and sacred, that it cannot be conceived or even spoken of" - Eckhart Tolle, a favourite quote of Sjaans |  160 Characters #35 - Shakira160 Characters #35 - Shakira, 27, Health & Fitness Journalist & commentator, Hampshire "A Sleepless night, a hectic day, A career mixed in with hours of play, This and more is part of having a son, You're my greatest achievement All my love, mum." - A poem from Shakira to her baby son |
 160 Characters #34 - Samantha160 Characters #34 - Samantha, 22, Teacher, São Paulo "I want to live every day extracting happiness out of the insignificant, and then become contagious - life is better if you're smiling " - Samantha on a way of life |  160 Characters #33 - Jackie160 Characters #33 - Jackie, 30, Teacher, Isleworth "2 yrs sounds long but that's all I have. 2017 WC in Ire is where I want to play my last rugby game. After 15 yrs of internationall sport it seems worryingly short!" - Jackie on her sporting goal |  160 Characters #32 - Adam160 Characters #32 - Adam, 30, Manager, Tooting "I like having a coffee and watching the world go by...makes it sound like i'm in space...I'm not I'm in Costa" - Adam on the joys of taking a break |
 160 Characters #31 - Aimhirin160 Characters #31 - Aimhirin, 30, Advertising Exec, West Ireland "A royal wedding frenzy. A brief slip into mob rule. A brilliant Olympic Games. The first Irish state visit. Some of my memories of 4 great years living in London." - Aimrihin reflects on her time living in London |  160 Characters #30 - Richard160 Characters #30 - Richard, 29, Corby, Clinical Supply Programme Manager "I always want to do the right thing, be a good person, so that any time-traveller kid I have in the future can meet me at any age and be proud of their dad." - Richard on the impact of Back To The Future |  160 Characters #29 - Tom160 Characters #29 - Tom, 30, Dubai, Consultant "When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen" - Tom on communication |
 160 Characters #28 - Jason160 Characters #28 - Jason, 54, South London, Freelance Photographer “Began Shooting 23 years ago in old town Lisbon. Shoot street and portraiture with cameras very old and new. I'd like to exhibit some time next year” Jason on his career and the next steps |  160 Characters #27 - Jennifer160 Characters #27 - Jennifer, 30, Dubai, Project Manager “London and Dubai are similar in many ways - both vibrant and multicultural, but you can't beat being able to go to the beach for dinner after work” Jennifer on life in Dubai |  160 Characters #26 - Waleed160 Characters #26 - Waleed, 31, Bahrain, Investments Manager “the best moments in life, when everything comes together maybe few & fleeting. You’ll never get to the next great moment if you don’t keep going” Waleed on adulthood |
 160 Characters #25 Matthew160 Characters #25 - Matthew, 33, Bahrain, Managing Director "Striving to be successful in your career is a lot like growing a beard. It can be frustrating, but takes strength of character, hard work and dedication." - Matthew on the virtues of beards |  160 Characters #24 Amy160 Characters #24 - Amy, 30, Bahrain, Digital Marketing Coordinator “I’m finally making progress on finding that elusive work/life balance. I’m happy, grateful, in love and excited about what the future holds. Cheesy but true!” - Amy on turning 30 |  160 Characters #23 Dan160 Characters #23 - Dan, 41, London, Principal "Starting a new school: excitement, nerves, pressure, responsibility and hope. Wonder if the prospectus portrait shot conveys that?" -Dan on the start of something big |
 160 Characters #22 Alyssa160 Characters #22 - Alyssa, 27, Cornwall Ontario, Teacher "Leaving Canada and moving to England was the hardest decision I ever had to make. But now I have a career, a house and an amazing husband to be!" - Alyssa on making good decisions |  160 Characters #21 Tariq160 Characters #21 - Tariq, 24, South London, Building Consultant "Beating Iran with my brothers in front of 2000 screaming rugby fans in Beirut made me realise how patriotic I am. I love Lebanon and everything about it" - Tariq on playing international rugby |  160 Characters #20 Andrew160 Characters #20 - Andrew, 29, East London, TV Researcher "We must fight for it, how can we call ourselves a developed country without it? Equality in every single thing we do is the only answer" - Andrew on the Irish referendum on same sex marriage May 22nd 2015 |
 160 Characters #19 James160 Characters #19 - James, 26, London, TV Director "If you do one thing each day to make you feel happy then you'll always enjoy your life. If your job makes you happy then that's a good start" James on being happy |  160 Characters #18 Sarah Jane160 Characters #18 - Sarah Jane, 27, Cape Town, Actress "2 Bananas, 3 Kiwis and 500 ml of orange juice makes for an awesome smoothie" Sarah Jane on what gets her up in the morning |  160 Characters #17 Lyndsey160 Characters #17 - Lyndsey, 33, Crystal Palace, HR Ops "4 months married today, traveled to 4 countries in that time & climbed Kilimanjaro. Lining up more adventures for the next 8 months!" Lyndsey on seeing the world |
 160 Characters #16 Alex160 Characters #16- Alex, 33, Crystal Palace, Travel Executive "Start of spring celebrated with pub lunch and stroll around Crystal Palace Park, Keeping my fingers crossed for a good summer!" Alex hoping for sun |  160 Characters #15 Jamie160 Characters #15- Jamie, 34, Crystal Palace, Head of Marketing "After seeing the volcanoes, cloud forests, beaches and wildlife of Costa Rica, I'm back in Crystal Palace... traveling opens the mind and rekindles love for home" Jamie on home sweet home |  160 Characters #14 James160 Characters #14 - James, 24, Kenley, Accountant "Departing for my stag do in Las Vegas in just under 6 weeks. If I make it back from that in one piece, wedding to look forward to in August!" James on a grand voyage |
 160 Characters #13 Kate160 Characters #13 - Kate, 30, Sutton, Teacher "Finally got that MA. Only one year later than planned. Am older, a little bit wiser, a mum, and apparently now know about Innovation & Change. Not sure if the baby or the Masters taught me that!" Kate on reaching a goal |  160 Characters #12 Becky160 Characters #12 - Becky, 30, Norwood, Solicitor "Becoming a mum changes everything, your priorities and relationships; but I wouldn't go back, even if I do now sport an anorak..." Becky on the changing fashions of motherhood |  160 Characters #11 Vince160 Characters #11 - Vince, 32, Norwood, Advertising Executive "Never thought I'd catch myself saying it but I really can't put a value on the time I have as everyday seems to go faster than the last." Vince on the preciousness of time |
 160 Characters #10 Kerry160 Characters #10 - Kerry, 29, Fleet, Civil Servant "2015 is going to be the best year yet - we've got lots to celebrate, with the most important date in our diary being our wedding in August... I can't wait!" Kerry on a Year to look forward to |  160 Characters #9 Hannah160 Characters #9 - Hannah, 28, Hampton, Entrepreneur "The day my fitness company was born was when I decided to shout at people that this was a career not a hobby" - Hannah on the start of something big |  160 Characters #8 Rachael160 Characters #8 - Rachael, 30, Sutton, Primary School Teacher "I love my job!! Everyday is different. I'm a storyteller, an artist, a scientist, a parent, a nurse, a mediator... unfortunately, frequently a pencil pusher" - Rachael on her vocation |
 160 Characters #7 Claire160 Characters #7 - Claire, 23, Kuala Lumpur, Digital Copywriter "Moving to Malaysia was the most terrifying and exhilarating decision I've ever had to make and now I couldn't be happier! Can't wait for more adventures in 2015!" - Claire on making an important decision |  160 Characters #6 Dave160 Characters #6 - Dave, 34, Radlett, Prep School Teacher "I'm an Aussie who has lived in London for 10 years. I love my family, dog and job but I still hate the weather." - Dave on expat life in London |  160 Characters #5 Beth160 Characters #5 - Beth, 30, Bahrain, Senior Project Manager "Visiting England is always that extra bit festive this time of year. The only downside is the dogs missing out on their usual turkey dinner!" - Beth on visiting England during the Christmas season |
 160 Characters #4 Felix160 Characters #4 - Felix, 32, Carshalton, Retired Bar Manager "Great night, awesome company, good food, cold beer. Have a good week people I'm now unemployed " - Felix on the end of an era |  160 Characters #3 Hannah160 Characters #3 - Hannah, 26, Balham, Client Executive "In January I wrote a list of 100 things to do. I have spent 2014 ticking them off. I've had a load of fun with the list and am now compiling for next year " - Hannah on a focused strategy for fun. |  160 Characters #2 Mim160 Characters #2 - Mim, 29, Dublin, TV Assistant Producer "I’m moving to London. I’m going to work in TV. It was a pretty mixed reaction, cheers & tears from dad, silence from mum. It was time to do something for me." - Mim on changing careers and following her dream |
 160 Characters #1 James160 Characters #1 - James, 32, Tooting, Advertising Executive "160 characters to write about yourself could sound a little contrived. Therefore I'll be brief and make a suggestion, let's all try harder to get along with each other" - James about the project |
The project takes it's inspiration (and name) from the number of characters in a standard text message. The increased popularity of mobile phones in the late 90's gave rise to a new language of text speak. The standard text length of 160 characters was set in 1985 when Friedhelm Hillebrand did research and found 160 characters was the optimum length, 'perfectly sufficient' in his words. Whilst modern smart phones have seen the demise of the limit, Twitter, the popular social media platform, have taken their inspiration directly from this legacy. They have a character limit of 140 with 20 saved for the users unique address.
This project will work towards building a catalogue of 160 'characters' photographed in a natural light portrait. This will be accompanied by a message from the subject about an aspect of their life, sticking to the character limit. Eventually a body of work will form showing portraits of varying characters alongside snippets and insights from their messages.
December 2014
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