Portraits and stories of young adults imagining their future.
I Dream of Becoming is a socially engaged photography project led by Bruno Vinel exploring the hopes, ambitions, and uncertainties of young adults. Through a series of studio and environmental portraits, short conversations, a printed book, and a public exhibition, Bruno aims to create a more honest, hopeful, and nuanced portrait of a generation too often reduced by stereotype.
For young adults: take part
Bruno invites young adults in the UK to take part in a photographic and storytelling journey centred on who they are, what matters to them, and how they imagine their future.
Each participant is photographed either in a meaningful environment or in a simple studio setting, depending on their story, personality, and the visual language that feels most true to them.
Alongside the portraits, participants are invited to share a few thoughts about their dreams, ambitions, or sense of becoming.
The final work will be presented through a public exhibition, a photo book and selected social content.
This is not about polished self-promotion or social media image-making. It is about visibility, affirmation, and voice — creating space for young adults to be seen with greater care, depth, and understanding.
Are you a young adult based in the UK?
Would you like to be part of a creative portrait project about identity, ambition, and becoming?
Participants do not need any modelling or photography experience. What matters is your presence, your story, and your willingness to take part in a thoughtful and respectful creative process.
Taking part may include:
- An initial conversation about your story and interests
- A portrait session in either a studio or a meaningful location
- The possibility of being included in the final exhibition and photo book
- A copy of the finished book if selected for the final project
Bruno is especially keen to meet young adults from many different backgrounds and walks of life, with a wide range of experiences and aspirations.
For galleries, organisations & partners
I Dream of Becoming is also seeking conversations with galleries, arts organisations, education partners, youth organisations, community groups, and businesses interested in supporting or presenting the project.
Partnership could include:
- Sharing the open call with potential participants
- Hosting a talk, workshop, or exhibition
- Supporting the project through venue partnership, book printing funding, promotion, or distribution
- Exploring opportunities to present the finished work in civic, cultural, educational, or workplace settings
The project is designed not only as an artwork, but as a wider conversation about how young adults are seen and heard in the UK.
About the project
Young adults are often represented through narrow narratives: success or failure, confidence or anxiety, visibility or invisibility. This project wants to slow that down and look again.
Photography can do more than describe appearance. It can create attention, empathy, and recognition. Through portraits, words, print, and exhibition, I Dream of Becoming aims to offer a more thoughtful and socially meaningful account of a generation shaping its future in complex times.
About Bruno Vinel
Bruno Vinel is a West Midlands-based photographer whose practice brings together portraiture, street photography, and documentary observation. His work is grounded in attentiveness to people, place, and lived experience, with a particular interest in how photography can reveal ambitions, identity, and social context.
This project grows out of his long-standing passion for photography and his belief that printed photographs — whether in exhibitions or books — can create a deeper and more lasting encounter than images seen only on a mobile screen.
For more information please visit my website brunovinel.com/photography.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a paid opportunity?
No. This is a creative documentary portrait project rather than a paid modelling opportunity. Participants are invited to take part in a thoughtful photographic and storytelling experience, and selected participants will receive a copy of the finished book.
Do I need modelling experience?
No. You do not need any previous modelling or photography experience to take part.
Will I need to sign a model release form?
Yes. If you are selected to take part, you will be asked to sign a model release form so that the photographs can be used in the project, including the exhibition, book, website, and related promotion. A release form helps make clear how the images may be used and protects both participant and photographer.
Can I choose which images are included in the exhibition or book?
The final image selection will be made by Bruno in order to shape a coherent body of work, but participants will be treated with care and respect throughout the process. The intention is always to create images that feel truthful, thoughtful, and collaborative.
Can I receive copies of my images?
Participants may receive a small selection of digital images from their session, depending on the final workflow and project resources. The main purpose of the shoot is participation in the wider project rather than delivery of a full portrait package.
Where will the photographs be shown?
Selected photographs may appear in the final exhibition, photo book, website, social media promotion, press materials, and future project-related presentations or partner displays.
Get in touch
If you are interested in taking part, collaborating, or hearing more about the project, please get in touch.
- For participants: register your interest and share a few words about yourself.
- For galleries, organisations, and partners: get in touch to discuss exhibitions, outreach, partnerships, or support.