NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL

WITH PHOTOGRAPHER DR. DENISE MAXWELL

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL

WITH PHOTOGRAPHER DR. DENISE MAXWELL

COUNTRY: England PHOTO: Street DAYS: 4 dagar DATE: August 29 – September 1 2026 NO OF PARTICIPANTS: 8/12

For me, Notting Hill Carnival is one of the highlights of the year. I’ve attended for over 30 years. What started as just a cultural celebration has now also become a photographic one. There’s simply nowhere else like it. Vibrant streets awash with colour and sound – dancing, music, portraits, and stories in every direction – make it a true celebration for any photographer. I look forward to showing you around this incredible photography experience

Dr. Denise Maxwell

Experience Notting Hill Carnival through the lens – where every moment is magic, and inspiration is endless.

As a photographer, few places compare to Notting Hill Carnival. It’s the second-largest street festival in the world – second only to Rio. The colours, the music, the people – the streets of West London become not only a celebration of Caribbean culture but a living canvas that has been documented for decades.

Started by Caribbean people who settled in the UK as a response to racism, the carnival evolved through generations born in the UK, blending with Sound System culture to become what it is today. People travel from all over the world to attend – Mas Bands from across the Caribbean, guests from every imaginable country, celebrities, artists, politicians – literally everyone. The festival draws a record crowd of up to 4 million people across the two days.

Photographer Dr. Denise Maxwell has attended what is simply called “Carnival” for over 30 years – since before she even became a photographer. Now, through her photographer’s eyes, it remains an endless source of inspiration and storytelling.

Every Mas costume tells a tale. Every dance step carries cultural heritage.Every smile caught through the lens is a celebration of life and community. Lighting shifts from radiant daylight to dramatic shadows between buildings. The energy is infectious – people are open, connected, welcoming, and spontaneous.

There’s so much going on at once. That’s why it helps to have someone who knows their way around – someone who can guide you through the streets, the timings, what happens where, what to look out for, how to set your camera, and how to truly navigate this explosion of visual stories.

That’s why we’re thrilled to offer an exclusive street photography experience at Notting Hill Carnival – led by renowned UK photographer and Carnival veteran, Dr. Denise Maxwell.

Form more information and images from the carnival see Denise Instagram. Click

Don’t miss the slideshow featuring Denise’s photos from Notting Hill Carnival at the bottom of the page.

Denise Maxwell Next to Mas Exhbit DS0A9834

DR. DENISE MAXWELL – Street- fashion- & sportsphotographer

With an eye for the moment and a passion for capturing authenticity, Dr. Denise Maxwell is more than just a photographer – she’s a visual storyteller. Whether it’s the bustle of a carnival, the intimacy of a solo portrait, or the electric energy of a packed sports stadium, Denise creates images that speak.

As the founder of Lensi Photography, she has photographed everything from London Fashion Week to the Commonwealth Games, royal events, weddings, and major global brands. Her portfolio is as diverse as she is – combining documentary depth, creative precision, and an uncompromising commitment to quality.

Her work reflects diversity, strength, and culture – and her camera is always where the story unfolds. Not to direct, but to reveal. She embodies a multi-genre photographer approach, proving that you can have a unique style across many photographic genres, without having to niche down to just one.