FPA Member Profile
Career
Highlights
- A three year course at Glasgow College of Building and Printing studying commercial photography.
- Freelancing in London with AP and PA, rounds of interviews, including the original Action Plus, and Allsport (now Getty Images)
- 1991 Action Plus (the original agency)
- 2007 Contracted AFP Photographer
- FIFA World Cups (1)
- UEFA Euro Champs (4)
- FA Cup Finals (20)
- UEFA Champions League Finals (7)
- Premier League Matches Approx (900+)
Canon, Nikon or Sony?
“Nikon.”
What came first, sport or photography?
“Photography. Mum was a PE teacher, so sport was always there, but I wanted to be a TV cameraman first, then a photographer. Combining photography with sport came later.”
One change for the better to improve football photography for the next generation of photographers?
“The other international agencies following the example of Getty Images with their mentoring schemes and commitment to helping young sports photographers.”
Do you have a favourite memory or anecdote from your time as a football photographer?
“One of only a few photographers to capture Eric Cantona launching himself feet first at Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons, during Manchester Utd’s Premier League match at Selhurst Park in 1995.”
“Being on my way out of the Stadio Olimpico as Paul Gascoigne heads home the 86th minute winner for Lazio against Roma, watching him celebrate wildly, then burst into tears of joy exactly where I had just been sitting. I just caught my flight home, though!”
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?
“TV cameraman.”
First football match photographed?
“Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Crawley Town, 4th January 1992.”
Favourite football ground to work at, and why?
“Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, for its excellent all round working facilities.”
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