CNN Photos

Meet the ‘new Londoners’

By Benazir Wehelie, Special to CNN
5 minute read
Published 11:36 PM EDT, Sun October 9, 2016
The David family in London has Iraqi and Syrian roots. They're one of the many families photographed by Chris Steele-Perkins to show London's diversity. Last year, 8.6 million people living in the UK were born abroad, with London being the most diverse area -- approximately 37% of people in the city are from other countries.
The David family in London has Iraqi and Syrian roots. They're one of the many families photographed by Chris Steele-Perkins to show London's diversity. Last year, 8.6 million people living in the UK were born abroad, with London being the most diverse area -- approximately 37% of people in the city are from other countries.
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos
Joe Arojojoye, left, is from Nigeria, as are his mother, Adebimpe Ogunmokun, and his brother Michael Ashaolu. Photographing Londoners in their homes was something Steele-Perkins knew he wanted to do from the very beginning of his project. "I wanted the idea that they belonged here," he said. "They had a home. These weren't tourists. It wasn't standing in Trafalgar Square or something like that."
Joe Arojojoye, left, is from Nigeria, as are his mother, Adebimpe Ogunmokun, and his brother Michael Ashaolu. Photographing Londoners in their homes was something Steele-Perkins knew he wanted to do from the very beginning of his project. "I wanted the idea that they belonged here," he said. "They had a home. These weren't tourists. It wasn't standing in Trafalgar Square or something like that."
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos
Georgiana Mihai, second from left, is from Romania. She's photographed with her brother Bogdan; her partner, John Ward; and John's daughter Amelia Rutra.
Georgiana Mihai, second from left, is from Romania. She's photographed with her brother Bogdan; her partner, John Ward; and John's daughter Amelia Rutra.
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos
Jenny and Domingo Garcia, right, pose with their three sons. Domingo is a U.S. citizen who was born in Mexico. Jenny is a U.S. citizen originally from South Korea.
Jenny and Domingo Garcia, right, pose with their three sons. Domingo is a U.S. citizen who was born in Mexico. Jenny is a U.S. citizen originally from South Korea.
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos
Django Chan, left, along with her brother, Marlowe, and her mother, Leslie. Leslie's parents were both Chinese. She came to England from New Zealand.
Django Chan, left, along with her brother, Marlowe, and her mother, Leslie. Leslie's parents were both Chinese. She came to England from New Zealand.
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos
Taylor Mark Powell, right, and his three children. Ava, in the foreground, is Powell's stepdaughter. Her biological father is from Barbados.
Taylor Mark Powell, right, and his three children. Ava, in the foreground, is Powell's stepdaughter. Her biological father is from Barbados.
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos
Michael Yee-Chong, right, with his daughter Storm and son Blue. Michael's father is Chinese and was born in Mauritius. His mother is English. So far, Steele-Perkins estimates that he's photographed about 130 different nationalities. He wants to get a photo representing each country in the world.
Michael Yee-Chong, right, with his daughter Storm and son Blue. Michael's father is Chinese and was born in Mauritius. His mother is English. So far, Steele-Perkins estimates that he's photographed about 130 different nationalities. He wants to get a photo representing each country in the world.
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos
Pierre d'Avoine -- at right with his partner, Clare, and their children, Ivan and Reynard -- hails from India. "The family doesn't look Indian in the sort of classic sense of one's expectations, right?" Steele-Perkins said. "The point is that that's what I'm getting at. We all have these sort of stereotypes that we like to live with as if they were true."
Pierre d'Avoine -- at right with his partner, Clare, and their children, Ivan and Reynard -- hails from India. "The family doesn't look Indian in the sort of classic sense of one's expectations, right?" Steele-Perkins said. "The point is that that's what I'm getting at. We all have these sort of stereotypes that we like to live with as if they were true."
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos
Feza Mbuyi, right, is from the Republic of Congo. She poses with her son Prince and daughter Vanessa.
Feza Mbuyi, right, is from the Republic of Congo. She poses with her son Prince and daughter Vanessa.
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos
Shamshad Jafferji Cockcroft, third from right, is from Tanzania. Her photo includes her husband Laurence, right, as well as children, in-laws and one grandchild.
Shamshad Jafferji Cockcroft, third from right, is from Tanzania. Her photo includes her husband Laurence, right, as well as children, in-laws and one grandchild.
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos
Katty is from Peru and lives in London with her husband, Mark Edwards, and their children Amare and Amira.
Katty is from Peru and lives in London with her husband, Mark Edwards, and their children Amare and Amira.
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos
The family of Lina Maria Posada Duque has Colombian roots.
The family of Lina Maria Posada Duque has Colombian roots.
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos
Marcos Villasenor is from Mexico. Carlotta Cardana is Italian.
Marcos Villasenor is from Mexico. Carlotta Cardana is Italian.
Chris Steele-Perkins/Magnum Photos