Ages of Us: Photographer travels 3,000 miles to explore how we feel about ageing

Using a bench to photograph his subjects, he ensured that it was constant – staying the same distance, angle and height to the camera at all times. In the left seat, you'll always find the 0-25 year olds; in the middle – the subjects were 25-50 years old and on the right – 50 plus.

Collard explains: "Ages of Us is an interest in the process of ageing, the effects of that unstoppable process on our physical being and how our attitude, conscience, hopes, aspirations and desires change as we go through the stages of life. Age is one of the great and incurable mysteries of science. We are told that lotions, potions, diets and lifestyle changes can slow, change and increase the effects and duration of this process but nothing can halt the inevitable destination."

What did Collard ask when interviewing his subjects? He focused on the past, present and future – asking what did you want to be when you grow up... what do you do now... And what would you like to do in future?

Dwayne Reed, who is aged 50+ and was photographed at Needles, said: "I wanted to be an engineer when I was younger but all that changed, you know. I didn’t grow up too rich or anything... it was hard you know, so I had to get out there and go to work. But I made a lot of mistakes in life also, you know, a lot of mistakes trying to make fast money... you know how that go. But, I finally got it right! Thank God, by the grace of God. And living the honest life taking care of my family, that's about it."

You can see all the results of the project at Downstairs at Mother from 4th February 2016. And keep checking the www.agesofus.com website, where Collard will be adding the photographs and interviews soon.

Following college in The North and a few years as a bass player, Collard moved to London 1998 and started working as a photographer's assistant. Since becoming a commercial photographer, he has shot work for the likes of Pfizer, Adidas, O2, Santander, and The Discovery Channel. Much of his work involves shooting real people on location using lighting and details to convey a sense of narrative about his subject. His work has a sense of space and composition that encourages the audience to explore the image to uncover hidden detail and meaning. Collard works from his studio in south London and is apparently a much better photographer than he was a bass player.