Pam Pam & Friends: Ellie Puopolo
This week we caught up with Manchester-based photographer Ellie Puopolo, whose work is defined by softness, connection, and a dreamy energy. Her images reflect a female gaze that feels personal and honest, fitting naturally with Pam Pam’s focus on community and women-led creativity. We spoke to Ellie about her inspirations, life in Manchester, and how her personal style influences her work.
PP: Let’s start at the beginning…You grew up in Birmingham and are now based in Manchester. How did your journey into photography begin, and when did you first pick up a camera?
EP: At a carboot sale aged 12. From there, I started buying second-hand film cameras in charity shops, carboot sales, etc., and became fascinated with the mechanics of it all. I basically learnt backwards in a sense first learning how to shoot film when you could buy a roll of 35mm for a quid in Poundland. Later on, my school introduced GCSE Photography, so I studied it from there right through to my degree in Fashion Image Making and Styling.
PP: Your work has a distinctive visual language: intimate, full of quiet, almost dreamlike energy. There’s a real sense of connection between you and your subjects, a kind of female gaze that feels personal and honest. How would you describe your own photographic style and the feeling you want to create through your images?
EP: Thank you!! <3 I love people and I always want to convey them in their rawest, most authentic version. I like to think this version develops through talking to and connecting with my subject before and during a shoot. The outcome equals little moments captured during a conversation, aiming for quality over quantity. The more comfortable we feel, the more vulnerable we can be this is particularly important when photographing people. Also, I just love a natter.
PP: Who or what are your biggest influences when it comes to photography? (This could be people, culture, places, or even music.)
EP: Toooo many to even list. The first that spring to mind are Martin Parr for photography, Vivienne Westwood for fashion, and David Hockney for art. Music-wise, I am influenced by every decade from the ’50s to present, and I’m fascinated by how each genre has influenced fashion and culture. Lastly, my Catholic Irish-Italian upbringing and the iconography around this has shaped my visual perspective.
PP: Manchester has such a strong creative scene. How has living there influenced your work and the stories you want to tell?
EP: I have lived here for 7 years now and am constantly inspired by the creativity and culture this city has to offer. There is a sense of constant innovation—always a new opening, an exhibition, a thriving music scene, a fashion event that draws attention. It’s this constant feed of fresh ideas around me that I thrive off.
PP: We’ve always been inspired by female creatives who build and support their communities. How does collaboration and working with other women shape your process?
EP: Collaboration is extremely important to me in my practice. I feel the talent around me and I love the plethora of ideas that can come from putting heads together and supporting one another. There are so many super talented and inspiring women around me that I’ve had the honour of working with so long may this continue.
PP: Fashion plays such a subtle but powerful role in your work. What brands or styles inspire you the most?
EP: I also adore timeless classics like Clarks Originals and the Wallabee silhouette. Styles that inspire me are often based on music genres: mods, punks, skinheads, new romantics, ’90s rave scene I love to dissect and reimagine subcultures in my own styling and photography work alike. Adidas is my favourite brand, and I love all the collaborations and history that come with it.
PP: Where do you hope to take your photography next? Are there any personal projects or new directions you’re excited about?
EP: I just hope to continue working on projects I love and collaborating with creatives around me. To always be test shooting and experimenting with concepts, styling, and location scouting I have a bucket list of shoot locations, which ranges from a summer beach shoot to a railway viaduct.
