Atlanta Downes | Photographer and Designer

Works '26

Gyaldem FC

Scroll or drag to turnSwipe · tap to view

Atlanta Downes holding a camera — Atlanta DownesPhotographer and DesignerLondon, United Kingdom

I celebrate women of colour across fashion, sport and culture.

Storytelling and community sit at the heart of my photography. I’m drawn to the stories that reflect my own experiences, and to making the people in them feel seen.

I’ve created behind-the-scenes content for Arsenal Football Club, assisted on set with artists including RAYE, and shot for platforms like The Perfect Magazine.

Previous clients

01Gyaldem FC

The inaugural issue: jerseys, gold and genuine sisterhood.

Three women in England shirts and gold jewellery

Woman with copper curls in an England shirt, surrounded by friends

A group of women in football shirts sitting together in the stands

The Gyaldem FC crew huddled on a London estate pitch

02Football

Street style and the game, on cages, parks and pitches.

Close-up of a player striking a football on grass

A five-a-side game in a fenced cage beneath a block of flats

A player mid-stride on a pitch at sunset

A player in a yellow bib running cone drills

Two men smiling on the pitch, one in an Arsenal shirt

A woman at dusk holding a football against her hip

03Femininity

Colour, softness and presence.

Woman in a pink dress with sculpted braids and an orchid in her hair

Portrait of a woman in a black one-shoulder dress against blue

04Lace

White lace against stone and window light.

Woman in white lace leaning on a stone wall beside flowers

Woman in white lace sitting in a window seat

Woman in white lace standing against a stone house

05Movement

Strength and form in an industrial space.

Dancer posing against a weathered industrial wall

Dancer inverted on a pole in window light

Dancer in a backbend on a concrete floor

About the shoots

Photographer
Designer
Storyteller

Bringing together the shoots for the inaugural issue of Gyaldem FC truly illustrated the meaning of the saying “it takes a village.” Since I was crafting this magazine from the ground up, the experience was incredibly demanding; however, the magic that unfolded behind the lens made every ounce of effort worthwhile.

Community Involvement

When it was time to cast, I reached out to my community. I enlisted my close friends to model and assembled a creative team of trusted individuals to assist with direction, styling, and lighting. The atmosphere on set was everything. Our aim wasn’t to replicate stiff, traditional sports photography; instead, we sought to capture authentic street style, raw emotion, and genuine sisterhood. We placed a strong emphasis on the intersection of football and fashion, showcasing how the girls effortlessly styled the jerseys, paired them with gold jewelry, and carried themselves with pride.

Intentional Storytelling

Every outtake and final shot was carefully considered. My vision for these shoots was to ensure that Black and global majority voices felt visible, celebrated, and fully represented in every facet of the game. This project wasn’t merely a photo session; it was about fostering a safe, joyful environment where underrepresented women and girls could engage with football culture and finally see themselves as the main characters.

Gyaldem.fc

Shutdown

Directed & Produced by Atlanta Downes