A young volunteer’s journey from complete novice to paid professional photographer in just six months is being celebrated with a special exhibition at The Bunker, a Sunderland music institution that has supported local talent for more than 40 years.

Kieran Whitfield joined The Bunker as a volunteer six months ago with no previous photography experience, just a strong desire to learn and immerse himself in the city’s live music scene.

Kieran captures live music at The Bunker | Submitted

placeholder image — Kieran captures live music at The Bunker | Submitted

He was given the opportunity to work evenings as a gig rep, where he quickly took to camera work, capturing bands in action for their portfolios and filming interview segments for The Bunker’s YouTube channel.

With the freedom to experiment and learn on the job, Kieran’s confidence grew and he began to develop his own distinctive photographic style.

A major milestone came when Kieran’s work was noticed by the Sunderland Music City team, following his photography for One City, One Voice, a city-wide showcase of performances including busking along Roker seafront and a dedicated Bunker stage at Minster Park.

Since then, Kieran has gone on to secure paid work, covering Freshers’ Week at the University of Sunderland, The Futureheads’ Christmas show at The Fire Station, Ripples Festival, as well as events at Mexico70 and Independent.

Kieran Whitfield has a passion for capturing gigs | Submitted

“I was extremely close to not turning up for the volunteer induction,” Kieran said. “I worried that my lack of experience meant I’d be useless, but The Bunker helped me believe in myself and pushed me to find something I could do well at.”

A curated selection of Kieran’s work is now on display at Otto, the cafe next door to The Bunker, showcasing photographs taken during his time volunteering at the venue.

An official launch event will take place on Friday February 6th from 6 till 8pm. The exhibition is planned to run until the end of March.

“Kieran’s spark is obvious from the second you meet him,” said John Knox, café manager at Otto. “I’m not surprised by his success - he applies himself whole-heartedly to everything he does and always has a smile on his face. He truly deserves recognition for what he’s achieved.”

Located on Stockton Road, The Bunker has played a vital role in Sunderland’s cultural life for decades, providing a platform for musicians, artists and creatives of all kinds.