Dr Monica A. Walker

When your models have to cancel last minute, but you know a model that is always available! 🤣
#SelPortrait #BeyondTheBloom

A roundel with acanthus leaves radiating from the centre where the head of a woman with snakes for hair glares at the viewer. Found at the Bank of England Museum.

#MuseumNerdTime 🏛️🐍
Spotted at the Bank: a glorious roundel with acanthus leaves & everyone's favourite stone-cold Gorgon. In classical architecture, Medusa had an apotropaic function—her terrifying stare was meant to keep evil at bay.
Hideous on purpose. Beautiful in meaning. #ArtHistoryNerdsUnite

Yesterday I ran my Street Photography for Wellbeing workshop with @TeamLondonBridge for #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

#StreetPhotography is not just a hobby. It is a survival strategy. A way to stay sane, stay curious & stay human.

Massive thanks to all who came! 🙏🏻 ☺️

Mirror with reflection of a young woman.

Mirror with reflection of a bearded man with cap and glasses with a flaming behind him.

Mirror with reflection of a red-head man against a green background.

Mirror with reflection of a woman against a grey shutter.

Took the Camera Club out between Liverpool Street + Brick Lane for an Urban Portrait Pod—with mirrors. Because why not make framing extra weird and wonderful?

Members brought their A-game (and modelled too, legends). Reflections, light play, and creativity all around. 😍

#UrbanPortraits

Beyond the Brim is popping off for London Craft Week! These hats are all drama—when the light hits just right, they transform into sculptural creatures. Bold, beautiful, and seriously worth a visit.

Catch the pop-up at the Museum before it vanishes today.

#LondonCraftWeek #HatArt #MuseumMagic

May the 4th be with me because it is also my birthday! 🎉 At 48, I feel better than I ever have. Stronger, wiser, softer in the right places, sharper where it counts. I’m officially entering my Queen Phase—the glorious stage before Crone (which, let’s be honest, I’m also kinda excited for). ♥️

Photo of a photocopy paper with text and a glass of red wine.

Having a lovely pre-flight meal & drink while nerding out over the symbolism in the Bank of England’s architecture. The art historian in me is having an extremely good time. 😎
#GoingPlaces #MostLikelySpain #BirthdayWeekend #ArtHistoryNerd

a reflection of a city in the water with the words " homes " in the foreground ALT: a reflection of a city in the water with the words " homes " in the foreground

Hello #HiveMind! Looking for London-based #Mudlarkers that would like a free table to do a bit of a show and tell of their finds in August! Any leads??? Thank you!!!! 😁
#Mudlarking #Mudlark #ThamesFinds @londonmudlark.bsky.social

Picture of a classical building with columns on a sunny day.

Today I had lunch "al fresco" because it was such a beautiful day. The City can be charming when it wants to! ♥️😎
#SunnyDay #BankOfEngland #RoyalExchange #LondonCalling

Red poppies in green field

White poppy in green field

Spring’s in full flirt mode and the poppies got the memo.
Red for passion, white for peace !
#HappyMayDay! May your heart bloom as boldly as these beauties!
#MayDayMagic #SpringFlings #PoppyLove #RedAndWhiteDelight #FlowerPower

They are amazing!!! 😍

Interior with a dome that has windows at the base.

Museum Nerd Time!
This is the Stock Office at the Bank of England Museum—once filled with desks and dividend-seekers, now showing off its fierce apotropaic flair. Lions! Medusas! Classical myth meets cold, hard cash. 🏛️🧿🗿

#MuseumNerdTime #BankOfEnglandMuseum #ApotropaicArchitecture

Wide shot of the dome of the Bank of England building, with the bronze figure of Ariel, the wind goddess, standing on top against a blue sky. Ariel appears in a dynamic pose with draped fabric flowing around her.

Closer view of the Ariel statue atop the dome, showing more detail of the figure’s posture and the dramatic sweep of her robes. Architectural details of the dome are visible below.

On week four at the #BankofEnglandMuseum & already fully obsessed with the building. This is Ariel, the wind goddess from The Tempest, perched on one of the domes since 1925 when architect Sir Herbert Baker re-designed the building!
#ArielAtTheBank #ArchitecturalFixation

Well! This is a lovely surprise! My co-curated exhibition at the Camera Club has had a bit of press! 😁

kenningtonrunoff.com/the-art-of-s...

A woman dressed in black holds red yarn threads running from a bright red crocheted head covering down across her face and body. She grips a small pair of ornate embroidery scissors in one hand, poised to cut the threads. Her lips are painted a bold red, mirroring the colour of the yarn. The image references Atropos, the Greek Fate who cuts the thread of life, blending myth, self-portraiture, and historical symbolism.

#typicalhistorian me as #Atropos, eldest of the Moirai, she who cuts the thread of life. Why?Because we wrestle with what is remembered,what is forgotten & what must be severed to make space for new narratives. Because sometimes being a historian means knowing when to cut the thread. #GreekMythology

A close-up selfie of a smiling woman with shoulder-length salt-and-pepper hair, wearing bold black Prada glasses. She has a nose stud, bright red lipstick, and is dressed in black with a graphic t-shirt featuring vampire lips and a half moon pendant necklace. Behind her is a brick wall, slightly blurred.

Apparently the Devil wears Prada 😈
New specs, same troublemaker. Loving my new Prada frames—feeling like a glam librarian with fangs.

(Also, 10/10 would recommend unleashing your inner villain with designer frames.)

#PradaEyewear #SilverSister #AltGlam #VampireVibes #BoldLooks #SmartIsSexy

A soft-lit portrait of a woman with long blonde hair, gazing slightly upward and to the side. Her face is partially obscured by clusters of red, berry-like dried flowers in the foreground. The background is black, creating a dramatic contrast with her pale skin and the muted red of the blooms. The lighting is moody and atmospheric, highlighting her eye and cheek while the rest of her face fades gently into shadow.

A close-up portrait of a woman with blond hair, her face partially hidden behind a cluster of white dried flowers. One large eye stares directly into the camera, framed by petals and shadow. The lighting is low-key and moody, with deep shadows and a cool, muted tone.

A portrait of a woman gazing forward, her face mostly obscured by intricately detailed, metallic-gold fern-like branches. The plants catch the light, creating a shimmer against the dark background, while the subject's expression is serene and introspective. The tones are cold and subdued.

A moody close-up of a woman’s face peeking through what appears to be dark, soft grass or feathery foliage. Her eye is lit dramatically, emerging from the shadows, while the rest of the frame is enveloped in rich darkness. The image feels mysterious and intimate.

So grateful to have photographed my brilliant friend Amanda Grace for #BeyondTheBloom. My first studio project not focused on self-portraits—and I am fully leaning into the dramatic light and muted tones. Definitely my vibe. Getting ready for my exhibition in Nov😄! #AmandaGrace #StudioPortraits

Portrait of a man wearing a vivid rainbow-striped suit with bold colours across the jacket and shirt. His confident expression and the dynamic pattern of his outfit create a striking and joyful visual statement.

Black and white studio portraits of the same man, highlighting the textures of his suit, jewellery, and facial features. The lack of colour draws attention to contrast, expression, and detail, showing a more contemplative side of his personality.

Portrait of a stylish man wearing a bright orange suit, matching fedora, and amber-tinted sunglasses. He wears layered silver chains over an orange shirt and tie. The background is a smooth gradient of warm red and orange tones, enhancing the vibrant, monochrome colour palette.

Black and white studio portraits of the same man, highlighting the textures of his suit, jewellery, and facial features. The lack of colour draws attention to contrast, expression, and detail, showing a more contemplative side of his personality.

Had the absolute joy of photographing the fabulous Jama🧡
He radiated style, personality & unapologetic self-expression. A total dream to shoot. More than just fashion—this was a full-spectrum energy session.📸
#PortraitPhotography #StyleIcon #ColourfulSoul #InStudio #BlackAndWhite #BoldLooks #NikonZ6

Blonde woman in costume performing on stage in SNOLIGOSTER. Theatrical lighting and surreal in-camera effects create a dreamlike, satirical atmosphere. All images captured live using a Reflect Lens filter.

Blonde women in costume performing on stage in SNOLIGOSTER. Theatrical lighting and surreal in-camera effects create a dreamlike, satirical atmosphere. All images captured live using a Reflect Lens filter.

Blonde woman in costume performing on stage in SNOLIGOSTER. Theatrical lighting and surreal in-camera effects create a dreamlike, satirical atmosphere. All images captured live using a Reflect Lens filter.

Blonde woman in costume performing on stage in SNOLIGOSTER. Theatrical lighting and surreal in-camera effects create a dreamlike, satirical atmosphere. All images captured live using a Reflect Lens filter.

Honoured to be among the first to see (& photograph) the wild, hilarious, and strangely moving SNOLIGOSTER 🐊🔥 by my brilliant friend #AmandaGrace & the amazing #JessCorner. As a former Florida resident, this show hit extra hard—satire, swamp & soul. Long live the #Snoligoster! 🐊💫 #Theatre

Happy Father's Day (in Spain) to my awesome Dad! Here is to making more funny faces for years to come! I love you to infinity and beyond! ❤️✨❤️
#DiaDelPadre #FathersDayInSpain #ThankfulForCrazyDad

For #InternationalWomensDay, I want to share the work of an amazing Ukranian photographer from the early 20th century: Sofia Yablonska. She is truly one of many inspirational women out there who defied the odds in the past! Here is to hoping #HerStory inspires more defiance! #IWD2025 #Ukraine

Thank you! :)

Honoured to have photographed the amazing photographer Rod Tidman for my upcoming exhibition, Beyond the Bloom: Portraits of Unconventional Beauty. A series celebrating those who redefine beauty.
📅 Open View: 20 Nov, 7PM at #Gallery1885, The Camera Club—see you there! #PhotographyExhibition

2/2-The world is a scary place right now…maybe it is time you picked up a stick (or two) and learned how to defend yourself with style. Whether it is for self-defence, fitness, or just the joy of learning something dangerously fun, FMA has got you covered. So… when are you signing up?👀
#SelfDefense

1/2-Throwback to the 10th #FilipinoMartialArtsFestival, where sticks were flying, footwork was sharp & bruises were just another way of saying good job!🥋 Honoured to have trained with legends, including GM Rene Tongson, and I am gearing up to do it all again at the upcoming seminar in Votice! #Arnis

As a lifelong Sherlock Holmes fan (I skipped more than a few classes in high school to read his adventures!😅), I cannot wait to read your book on the man who inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This is right up my alley—bring on the deductive brilliance! #SherlockHolmes #ArthurConanDoyle

Image of woman with short hair wearing glasses at Brompton Cemetery.

Feeling like I belong in another century now… maybe I should start writing letters with a quill?
Ever had a wet plate portrait taken? If not, you are missing out on one of the most beautiful (and humbling) photographic processes out there. Highly recommend Magma's workshops! ❤️
#photographyMagic

Vintage image of woman with short hair wearing glasses.

Plate of vintage image of woman with short hair wearing glasses under running water.

Just stepped into the 19th c for a day! Posed for @kuca_magda at her #WetPlateCollodion open studio, and the results are pure photographic alchemy. Watching the image emerge on glass and metal felt like witnessing magic—silver, chemistry, and light working together to create something timeless.

You never know! But if they do, you know who I am going to call! 😉

The Bank of England in 2020. Just the building without the people. Photo by me as part of my London After People Series.

🚀 Big news! The embargo is lifted—I am now the Museum Operations & Marketing Manager at the Bank of England Museum! Excited to work with a brilliant team to bring economic & social history to life. Oh, and yes—you can touch a real gold bar when you visit! 🔥 #Museums #NewRole