About

Drew Gardner embarked on his exploration of descendancy in 2005 after his mother told him he bore a resemblance to his grandfather.

Inspired by a love of history, and a curiosity into how much, or how little, people bear to their ancestors he began to recreate portraits of notable historical figures with their descendants, employing similar lighting and photographic techniques and using period costume and props where possible.

If they are not available, he commissions artisans and costumiers to make them from scratch.

He aims to hold a mirror up to the face of society to consider where we all come from.

My Titanic Family is a multiyear project which will be launched in early 2027 and aims to explore the stories of the Titanic and how they have influenced their descendants.

Awards

The Amateur Photographer, UK Portrait Photographer of the Year 2025

Association of Photographers UK AoP Open-winner 2024

International Photography awards, USA-winner 2024

Head on Awards, Australia-winner 2024

ND Awards, USA-photographer of the year 2024

New York Photography Awards, USA-silver medalist 2024

Px3-Prix de la Photographie Paris Fine Art-winner 2024

Taylor Wessing National Portrait Gallery awards-finalist 2024

Sony World Photography Awards-3rd Place 2024

American Photography AP37-winner 2021

International Photography awards, USA-honourable mention 2021

Head on Awards, Australia-finalist 2021

Shanghai Photography awards, China-winner 2018