Photomanipulation nominee

The "Daemon Faerie", or alternatively, my alter ego, is an ongoing self portraiture series that began back in 2021. Each individual version of the "Daemon Faerie" has its own story and meaning behind it, and through the use digital photography and photomanipulation, different versions of my alter ego are brought to life as a way of exploring various aspects of myself, my life, and any challenges or traumas I have faced. This series not only allows me to address difficult issues I’ve been presented with such as identity and abuse, but through the creation of these images, I have to learnt to heal from and accept certain events from my past, as well offering myself a new level of love and understanding. I believe that the "Daemon Faerie" also serves as a means of bringing attention to, and starting discussions about these difficult topics, along with offering a sense of community to those who are on their journey of healing.

Leah Hammond-Clay, also known by their creative pseudonym "yerathiel," is a non-binary photographer and creative based in the UK. From a young age, Leah developed a passion for the arts, performing on stage and playing the piano, singing, and dancing. Their love for photography began at the age of 15 when they picked up their father's camera and started taking photos of their cat in the garden. Leah went on to study photography in further education at West Herts College, eventually graduating with a BA (Hons) in Photography at Sheffield Hallam University in 2019.

Leah's work spans a wide range of styles and subjects, including fashion, conceptual and fine art photography. After graduating from University in Sheffield, Leah worked with various upcoming D.I.Y musicians such as Jackie Moonbather, having their work featured in Exposed Magazine in 2019, along with working as a personal photographer for LNLYHRTS. Currently, Leah works full-time as a portrait photographer, capturing images of psychics and mediums.