Lost in transition: A snapshot of London’s young creative class

“With the cost of living going up and AI changing things fast, I sometimes wonder if this path is sustainable long-term,” says London-based photographer Max Lancaster, but those words may as well have come from myself, or, I imagine, anyone else who’s considered pursuing a creative career in the British capital. It’s a painfully relatable tension, one that’s practically written on the walls of east London’s warehouses or the smoking areas of south London’s pubs, and it’s formed the inspiration behind Lancaster’s new photo series Lost in Transition.

“This series is my way of capturing that feeling,” he continues. “With photos depicting individuals standing outside their regular jobs in a uniform that reflects their real creative aspirations, the series shows the gap between where they are and where they want to be.”

Indeed, it’s the contrast between each subject’s day jobs – a greasy spoon cafe, a postman’s uniform – and the creative passions they hold so dear – Claudia’s vibrant cabaret outfit, Emile’s pair of dangling football boots – that draw the viewer so deeply into these stories, piercing through the mundane backgrounds and inviting belief in their struggles. 

“The uncertainty is what is driving me to keep the fire going,” says 21-year old aspiring artist and current toy store assistant Jace. “Learning to remain strong-willed with my creative vision and have trust in my potential is so so important and I continue to learn this through every hardship and pushback. I always surprise myself each month with how much I can grow and achieve.”

It’s a compelling determination that is shared by all of the young people photographed, but ultimately one that arrives with a sense of tragedy given that, in the incredibly competitive creative industries, the odds are stacked against them. 

“Talent alone isn’t always enough,” says Lancaster. “When we shot Zen, the dancer, she shared that her chances of making it as a choreographer outside of London were next to zero. So, she has no choice but to live in a city where she needs to work a second job just to cover her bills and have a social life.” Already striking a delicate balance between subsistence and success, it’s easy to see how the pressures of day-to-day life can get in the way for these creatives – a tale as old as time where means morph into ends over the years. 

Still, he insists that this is a hopeful series. “All the participants are extremely driven and want to move on from their second jobs,” Lancaster explains. “Hopefully, other creatives will see this series and feel motivated to carry on pursuing their own passions, despite the challenges they may face.”

And with this hope arrives an potent reminder for the young creatives photographed. Despite all their talk of working around the clock to achieve their dreams, their passion in these moments is perhaps the most precious it will ever be, standing as a beacon of light in the mundanity of nine-to-five life and inspiring for others to do the same. It’s easy to become consumed by the constant pressure to ‘make it’ nowadays, but it’s also important to cherish the creative practice that made it attractive in the first place – else that will be Lost in Transition, too.

Take a look at the gallery above for a full selection of Max Lancaster’s portraits.