Unit Stills Photographer — Normal People

It was an incredible honour to work as the Unit Stills Photographer on the award-winning television series Normal People, capturing behind-the-scenes photography and on set moments that supported the visual storytelling of this deeply affecting adaptation of Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel.

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson and starring Paul Mescal as Connell and Daisy Edgar-Jones as Marianne, Normal People follows their complex relationship from secondary school in rural Ireland to university life in Dublin, exploring themes of love, identity, and vulnerability.

Filming took place in some of Ireland’s most evocative locations—Sligo’s Streedagh Beach, Tubbercurry (as the fictional town of Carricklea), and the streets and interiors of Dublin, including Trinity College. These settings became essential to the mood and authenticity of the story, blending intimate interiors with sweeping landscapes.

As the film stills photographer, I was there to document both the powerful on-camera performances and the quieter moments between takes. Every day on set offered the chance to capture Paul and Daisy’s remarkable chemistry, the subtle direction of Lenny Abrahamson, and the collaborative artistry of the crew who brought Rooney’s story to life.

Normal People went on to receive worldwide critical acclaim, multiple BAFTA nominations, and a devoted global following. To this day, the stills from this production remain some of my most loved and recognised work, resonating with audiences far beyond Ireland.

My photography became an integral part of the series’ identity—used in official posters and international publicity.

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Cast: Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones
Director: Lenny Abrahamson
Producers: Element Pictures, BBC, Hulu, Screen Ireland
Filming locations: Sligo, Tubbercurry, Streedagh Beach, Dublin, Trinity College