Behind the Scenes with Serena Terry in Derry

There is something special about photographing performers behind the scenes. Before the lights, before the applause, before the audience sees the finished version of the show, there is a quieter world happening backstage. It is a space filled with nerves, focus, humour, preparation and small moments that usually go unseen.

I recently had the pleasure of doing another BTS shoot in Derry, this time with comedian and writer Serena Terry, best known to many as Mammy Banter. Serena has built a huge following through her honest, relatable comedy, and has become one of Derry’s most recognisable creative voices.

For me, this kind of shoot is not about forcing moments or creating something overly polished. It is about observing. It is about being present without getting in the way. The best bts photography should feel honest. It should give people a glimpse of what it felt like to be there, not just what it looked like.

Backstage, there is always a different kind of energy. The audience sees the confidence and performance, but behind the curtain there are the smaller details: the final checks, the quiet moments, the laughs before going on stage, the atmosphere in the room and the people working hard in the background to make the night happen.

That is what I love documenting.

Shooting with Serena in Derry felt like a natural fit. There is a realness to her comedy that comes from everyday life, family, local humour and the kind of honesty people connect with. My aim was to capture that same feeling in the images relaxed, intimate and true to the moment.

I approached the shoot in my usual documentary style. No over directing. No interrupting the flow. Just watching for the right light, the right expression and the little in between moments that often say more than the obvious ones.

Derry has a brilliant creative energy at the minute, and it is always a privilege to photograph people from the city doing great things. Whether it is musicians, comedians, theatre performers, presenters or public figures, I am always drawn to the moments before and after the main event. Those are the photographs that feel the most human.

Behind-the-scenes work is also about trust. You are often in rooms where people are preparing, concentrating or switching between the public and private version of themselves. My job is to respect that space and capture it in a way that feels natural, professional and unobtrusive.

This shoot with Serena was another reminder of why I love this type of work. There is no need to manufacture drama when the real atmosphere is already there. The humour, the focus, the nerves, the calm before the show, it all tells a story.

A big thanks to Serena for having me along to document the evening. It is always a pleasure to photograph creative people in Derry, especially in those candid backstage moments that most people never get to see.