Sharing the Stories of the Unseen in Skateboarding: Hannah Bailey Visits FMS in Athens

Ruby from FMS catches up with award-winning adventure photographer, Hannah Bailey, following her visit to Athens in May. Hannah is one of the most passionate photographers in the skateboarding scene – she travels the world capturing the stories of the communities within skateboarding which are often overlooked, and works to shine a light on these personalities in all their beauty.

R: Hi Hannah! How you doing? I think the last time we saw each other in person was in Malmö, at Pushing Boarders. I was sad to miss your recent trip to Athens, so you’ll have to tell me all about it! Was it your first time in Athens?

H: All is well here in the Highlands of Scotland! I have been busy launching my new photo project “To Balance is Trust”, a series, (supported by the Getty Images Show Us Grant), shining the light on the faces of female and non-binary skateboarders, empowering them to tell their stories and show us what skateboarding means to them. And it got picked up by The Guardian on Friday, which was amazing to elevate these skaters stories on such a platform. The series includes fellow FMS volunteers, Denia Kopita and Virginia Kritikaki, who I shot when I was in Greece in May! 

Yes it was my first time in Athens and I absolutely loved it. After a year of no travel and only being as far as Bristol, it was such an energising trip as everything inspired me. The Athenian way is so welcoming. The FMS crew adopted me for a few days so I could attend sessions with them to shoot some stills, and Denia and Moch (Skateism) showed me around for a day, with an amazing hilltop sunset ending. It was action-packed, whereby even on the day I left, we managed to nip to the abandoned Olympic Canoe stadium for some shots, which we put together for a piece for National Geographic Traveller that went out a couple of weeks ago. Just trying to make use of the trip to get to see the city but more so, support FMS with my photography!

R: Wow, sounds like you’ve been super busy with some really inspiring projects. I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed learning the stories of the diverse group of people featured in To Balance is Trust. It’s very interesting to see the common strands or unique accounts of what skateboarding has brought to different people all around the world. What I have really enjoyed about the Olympics is how it has given the platform for diverse voices within skateboarding to speak out. We see now, on this massive international stage, queer and trans skateboarders representing their countries and showing people of all ages that it is okay to be the person you are – that there are people just like you. Although there is often a struggle to overcome, you should be proud of exactly who you are. I feel like your project captures this perfectly, too. 

I’m glad you enjoyed yourself in Athens and found those wonderful people to guide you around – you were in good hands! I know the abandoned canoe stadium is Will’s favourite spot, so I’m glad you got to see it! How did you find the vibe of the session you attended with the FMS team?

H: Thanks for those kind words on the project. It is so important to me that my work as a photographer is much more about the subjects and the messages attached, rather than the photos themselves. We were all hoping that the Olympic spotlight would shine out beyond the competitive arena and hit the culture beyond, and the diversity of the people involved. It is a big win in that sense!

The FMS sessions were really inspiring to see, after such a difficult and unknown year, the fact the charity has been able to continue to provide the programs to local youth is so important. I think their adaptability and creativity as a skate for development NGO is what helped this be possible. To be there as a photographer capturing the positivity of the kids getting the opportunity to skate was really fuelling. What I love about photography is the access and connection it gives you as a human. The kids were so welcoming and proud to show me their tricks, and see the photos. The FMS instructors are clearly valuable role models and friends of the kids, you could see the importance of that hour of skateboarding to everyone. At the end of one session I was asked my thoughts on how it ran and any feedback I might have. It was a really collaborative and supportive way of working, which I believe is the best way to do things!

R: It was a pleasure to have you, and so great to see the beautiful photographs you took! We do hope you return for another visit and until then, take care – keep up the inspiring work!

Words: Ruby Mateja & Hannah Bailey
Photographs: Hannah Bailey

CLICK HERE to read our previous blog post about our newest session in Central Athens!