Exploring Old Market Through Photography & Zine-Making  

This summer, Young People from 1625 Independent People took part in a creative journey that blended photography, exploration, and DIY zine-making, all rooted in the stories and surroundings of Old Market. 

The project began back in June, when Young People from our 24/7 services joined a series of photography taster sessions. These early workshops gave everyone the chance to play, experiment and get comfortable behind the lens, capturing the everyday details around them. 

By July, different groups of young people took part in a street photography workshop before heading out on a day trip to Cardiff’s Ffotogallery and the National Museum of Wales. For many, it was a first opportunity to see photography presented in a gallery setting, sparking new ideas and a sense of excitement about what they could create themselves. 

In August, the project shifted from taking photos to turning them into something tangible: a zine. Artist Hannah Aspinall led a gentle, hands-on workshop in DIY publishing, showing Young People just how easy (and fun) it is to make a zine from scratch. Using their photographs, collages and ideas inspired by Old Market, they pieced together pages that reflected what the area meant to them: a place of community, contrasts, and the old and new side by side. 

Seven Young People took part across the summer, each contributing their own perspective and energy. When asked to sum up the project, they described it as: 

“fun,” “inspiring,” “nurturing,” “adventure,” “informative,” “exploring,” and “day trips.” 

Their finished zine brings together street photography, creative responses to our Everyday Heritage soundscape, and personal reflections on the spaces around Old Market. It’s a collective piece, but each page still holds an individual voice. 

The hope behind the zine was simple: to offer a range of creative experiences, allowing different young people to explore new skills aligned with their interest and introduce DIY publishing as an accessible way to share personal stories. The zine will be used again in future workshops and will also feature in the current M Shed x 1625ip exhibition this winter, so even more people can experience the project. 

Read more about our collaborative art exhibition 

You can explore the finished zines below. 

Thanks to #NationalLotteryPlayers, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Ffotogallery Cardiff, Hannah Aspinall, and everyone who supported this project 🙏