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Brick building with arched windows and a vertical Baths sign on Norman Street, Islington, London.

More Than Swimming:
A Community Portrait with WeSwim in East London

Earlier this summer I spent a day with WeSwim, a charity that creates inclusive swimming opportunities for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions. Volunteers support each swimmer in the water — confidence first, then progress.

I got involved through my friend and collaborator Harshita Patel, a brilliant WeSwim volunteer and community outreach coordinator. After a chat with Natasha Fleming, WeSwim’s founder and CEO, we planned a day of environmental portraits across Hackney, Dalston, Poplar and Old Street.

What stood out, all day, was the joy, focus and determination each swimmer brought. WeSwim exists because mainstream sessions are not accessible for many disabled people — and what they have built goes far beyond swimming.

Alt text: A captivating architectural photograph by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography, featuring a historic brick building on Norman Street in East London. The composition highlights the building's intricate arches and ornate windows under soft, natural lighting. The image captures the urban charm of the area, with a clear blue sky and distant modern skyscrapers adding a contrasting backdrop.

Eddy, Hackney Central, morning

Good-spirited and smiley, Eddy trains at the gym four to five times a week. His energy set the tone for the day. At WeSwim he has learned to swim which he never thought was possible.

A vibrant gym portrait captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography in London, featuring an energetic individual in athletic gear. The subject is confidently engaging with exercise equipment under natural indoor lighting, enhancing the dynamic atmosphere. The modern gym setting with people in the background adds context to this East London location, emphasizing a lively fitness environment.
An enthusiastic swimmer with a joyful expression stands by the edge of an indoor pool in London. The bright overhead lighting highlights his confident pose, while water droplets glisten on his skin. The background features blurred swimmers and vibrant pool flags. Captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography, this image conveys a lively and energetic atmosphere.
A vibrant gym portrait captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography in London, featuring an energetic individual in athletic gear. The subject is confidently engaging with exercise equipment under natural indoor lighting, enhancing the dynamic atmosphere. The modern gym setting with people in the background adds context to this East London location, emphasizing a lively fitness environment.
An enthusiastic swimmer with a joyful expression stands by the edge of an indoor pool in London. The bright overhead lighting highlights his confident pose, while water droplets glisten on his skin. The background features blurred swimmers and vibrant pool flags. Captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography, this image conveys a lively and energetic atmosphere.

Lewa, Dalston, midday

Lewa has been attending WeSwim sessions for two years and is a big part of the community.

A candid portrait of a young individual wearing clear glasses and a vibrant red bandana set against an urban backdrop in London. Captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography, the subject stands confidently with an expressive pose, adorned in a blue denim jacket. The photo utilizes natural light filtering through surrounding greenery, creating a dynamic and engaging composition. The setting
An enthusiastic swimmer in a vibrant orange swim cap and colorful goggles enjoys a moment in the pool, capturing the energy of youth sports photography. The clear water and subtle reflections convey a lively atmosphere. Shot by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography, this image skillfully utilizes natural lighting to highlight the subject’s determined expression. Captured in East London, the
A candid portrait of a young individual wearing clear glasses and a vibrant red bandana set against an urban backdrop in London. Captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography, the subject stands confidently with an expressive pose, adorned in a blue denim jacket. The photo utilizes natural light filtering through surrounding greenery, creating a dynamic and engaging composition. The setting
An enthusiastic swimmer in a vibrant orange swim cap and colorful goggles enjoys a moment in the pool, capturing the energy of youth sports photography. The clear water and subtle reflections convey a lively atmosphere. Shot by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography, this image skillfully utilizes natural lighting to highlight the subject’s determined expression. Captured in East London, the

Yanita, Limehouse, afternoon

Yanita arrived with her mum and was beaming. She travels around an hour and a half each way to take part, a level of dedication that says a lot about how much she loves it.

Outdoor portrait of a woman captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography in London. The subject stands with a relaxed, natural pose in a casual blue shirt, exuding a warm smile. Sunlight gently illuminates her face, enhancing her features against a vibrant green bush. The background reveals a modern brick building, contributing to the urban charm of an
Corporate headshot of a smiling woman swimming with a yellow pool noodle in a London indoor pool captured by Adam Toth at Tadam Photography. The subject's joyful expression and natural pose create an inviting atmosphere. The image features soft, natural lighting reflecting off the water, adding a lively and dynamic mood to the composition. Ideal for portraying a relaxed and approachable
Outdoor portrait of a woman captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography in London. The subject stands with a relaxed, natural pose in a casual blue shirt, exuding a warm smile. Sunlight gently illuminates her face, enhancing her features against a vibrant green bush. The background reveals a modern brick building, contributing to the urban charm of an
Corporate headshot of a smiling woman swimming with a yellow pool noodle in a London indoor pool captured by Adam Toth at Tadam Photography. The subject's joyful expression and natural pose create an inviting atmosphere. The image features soft, natural lighting reflecting off the water, adding a lively and dynamic mood to the composition. Ideal for portraying a relaxed and approachable

Husen, Old Street, late afternoon

Husen, joined by his mum, was relaxed in front of the camera and enjoyed the process. Playful, patient, and proud. Since joining WeSwim over a year ago he has grown hugely in confidence and ability and can do lengths unassisted.

Corporate headshot captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography in London. The subject, dressed in a casual black and teal zip-up jacket, sits confidently on a wooden bench amid lush greenery. Natural light creates an inviting and approachable mood, with vibrant foliage providing a contrasting backdrop. Ideal for personal branding or professional networking profiles.
Swimmer enjoying a moment in a London pool, captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography. The subject wears goggles and expresses joy, with water splashing around. The bright indoor setting and natural lighting enhance the vibrant atmosphere, reflecting the enthusiasm of a recreational swim session in East London.
Corporate headshot captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography in London. The subject, dressed in a casual black and teal zip-up jacket, sits confidently on a wooden bench amid lush greenery. Natural light creates an inviting and approachable mood, with vibrant foliage providing a contrasting backdrop. Ideal for personal branding or professional networking profiles.
Swimmer enjoying a moment in a London pool, captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography. The subject wears goggles and expresses joy, with water splashing around. The bright indoor setting and natural lighting enhance the vibrant atmosphere, reflecting the enthusiasm of a recreational swim session in East London.

Evening group swim, Old Street, evening

We finished with a group session at Ironmonger Row Baths. Swimmers of different ages and abilities shared the lane, supported by the volunteers and by each other. The sense of welcome was hard to miss.

Group swimming lesson photo captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography, featuring four cheerful adults in a swimming pool in London. The subjects display joyful expressions and wear swim gear, illuminated by bright indoor lighting. This dynamic and engaging shot highlights the inclusive and supportive environment of the session. The modern leisure center setting adds to the vibrant mood, typical of Adam
A joyful and candid moment captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography, highlighting an engaging family gathering in a London swimming pool. The scene centers on two smiling individuals in vibrant swimwear, embodying camaraderie and lightheartedness. The water creates dynamic reflections and adds a playful mood to the image. Professional lighting enhances the lively expressions and cheerful atmosphere
A young woman and a teenage boy engaged in swim instruction at an indoor pool in East London, captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography. The woman, confidently demonstrating a gesture, wears a vibrant pink swim shirt, while the boy, donning a swim cap and goggles, mirrors her actions. The scene is set against a backdrop of large,
Family enjoying a swim session, captured by Adam Toth at Tadam Photography in London. The diverse group smiles warmly in the pool, exuding joy and connection during this candid family photography session. The vibrant indoor lighting accentuates the inviting atmosphere, with reflections shimmering on the water. This engaging scene, set in East London, highlights the harmonious blend
Group swimming lesson photo captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography, featuring four cheerful adults in a swimming pool in London. The subjects display joyful expressions and wear swim gear, illuminated by bright indoor lighting. This dynamic and engaging shot highlights the inclusive and supportive environment of the session. The modern leisure center setting adds to the vibrant mood, typical of Adam
A joyful and candid moment captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography, highlighting an engaging family gathering in a London swimming pool. The scene centers on two smiling individuals in vibrant swimwear, embodying camaraderie and lightheartedness. The water creates dynamic reflections and adds a playful mood to the image. Professional lighting enhances the lively expressions and cheerful atmosphere
A young woman and a teenage boy engaged in swim instruction at an indoor pool in East London, captured by Adam Toth of Tadam Photography. The woman, confidently demonstrating a gesture, wears a vibrant pink swim shirt, while the boy, donning a swim cap and goggles, mirrors her actions. The scene is set against a backdrop of large,
Family enjoying a swim session, captured by Adam Toth at Tadam Photography in London. The diverse group smiles warmly in the pool, exuding joy and connection during this candid family photography session. The vibrant indoor lighting accentuates the inviting atmosphere, with reflections shimmering on the water. This engaging scene, set in East London, highlights the harmonious blend

Spending the day with WeSwim was a reminder of what photography is for: people, connection, and the small moments that matter. To learn more or support their work, visit WeSwim.

If you run a charity or community project

and would like environmental portraits that celebrate your people and their work, I am keen to take on more of these shoots. Reach me at info@tadam.co.uk.

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