Only photograph what you love

Photography of ancient Egyptian artefacts, and museum life and culture, by Julia Thorne

Artefact photography

Articles about my techniques and how I photograph Egyptian artefacts

the head of an ancient egyptian statuette of a man

Photography projects

Feast your eyes on photos of artefacts and life in museums

Art prints and gifts

Browse art prints, mugs and cushions featuring my artefact photos

Hi, I’m Julia Thorne. I photograph ancient Egyptian artefacts, and museum life and culture, and I bloody love it.

The ancient Egyptian civilisation developed an undeniably recognisable and beautiful visual brand. That of hieroglyphs, of pharaohs, of winged goddess and animal-headed deities. As a visually inspired person, when I photograph the amazing objects and the writings left by the people of this most ancient of civilisations, it breathes the very life into me.

Since 2016, I’ve been collaborating with museums around the northwest region of England to bring their Egyptian collections to life with my photography. I’ve also been documenting life behind the scenes of the museum galleries, and the amazing people working in them.

Recent posts

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Photography genesis: a portrait of Hathor

It’s not uncommon for people to find solace in creativity when dealing with difficult times in their lives. For me, photography was what helped me cope during a difficult period in my life. In 2015, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a disease which leaves me exhausted and unable to do many things I’d previously taken for granted.

I found relief through photography when I started to really explore this art form in the months following my diagnosis.

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Nazir Tanbouli, Egyptian artist, at Liverpool Arab Arts Festival

If I asked you to imagine a day at a city-centre cultural festival, what would pop into your mind? Music? Crowds? Food? Dancing? An all-round sensory hit of sight, sound, smells and taste?

Probably. I would.

But not, perhaps, a feeling of peace, of quiet, of meditation and of mindfulness.

When I photographed the 2016 Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, it was a feast for the senses. But, for all the colour and music and dancing and food, it was one of the quieter artists who stood out for me: Nazir Tanbouli.

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